Fever Records

SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY

Sal's dedication to the community has been the focal point of his life
and to this day he continues to contribute to community charities and
fundraisers.

In 1983 a short time after his place SKATE FEVER was open, Sal along with some youths of the community, established The Macomb's Youth Association. The Macomb's Youth Association, was a day recreation center held right in the skating rink, to all children of the surrounding area. They set up historical, camping, and educational trips. They had numerous benefits to restore and rebuild the neighborhood, but Sal's most proud
achievement was the restoration of a city park and playground on 172nd street in the Bronx that was rundown and abandon for over seven years. That year Sal was awarded “The Bronx Citizen of the Year” award by Bronx Borough President Stanley Simon.

Sal and Mandingo (RIP)

Abbatiello was never biased when it came to hiring his employees. He
has been known to employ people with little or no experience and most of his were directly from within the community. At one time, in1983
he employed over 150 people making him one of the biggest employers in the Bronx. Sal Abbatiello, a family man, and married since 1980 is the proud father of 3 children and has been actively involved with charity and community work since the late 1970’s.

In the early 1980s FEVER ENTERPRISES had raised over $75,000 for the United Negro College Fund. In 1983 People Magazine, Time Magazine, Rolling Stone, Village Voice, NBC, ABC, CBS and every other major media news people, were telling the world how Disco Fever, Sal Abbatiello and Hip Hop music had influenced the birth of a new culture.

In 1984, Sal along with WBLS FM in New York, Coca-Cola, and his friend Charles Stettler, promoted the first citywide rap show and talent
contest at Radio City Music Hall. All 6,000 seats were filled with city wide urban kids and their parents, free of charged and Sal Abbatiello participated as one of the judges. That evening the FAT BOYS were discovered and won a recording contract. Incidentally, one of the Fat Boy's biggest hits, "Jail House Rap," off their double platinum album, was co- written by Sal. Also that year Sal helped put together a city wide Break Dancing Against Graffiti Contest along with WKTU in New York and the ABC network. It became a one hour TV special on ABC with many major television personalities as judges including Sal, himself. In 1984 Sal along with Kurtis Blow were Awarded Certificates of Merit by Mayor ED Koch for their efforts.

Fat Boys on the set of Krush Groove

In 1985, "THE FEVER" was internationally known in accordance with the lifestyle of Hop Hop music as a result of the great impact and new life style that Hop Hop had on the world, Warner Brothers came to the South Bronx and in 1985 the movie "Krush Groove" was released. The movie being shot in the South Bronx, show cased "The Fever" as the place where Hip Hop found its first home, Abbatiello a character in his own personality, had his acting debut by playing himself in the movie. Sal donated all the proceeds he received from the movie to the Bronx Special Olympics.

For 14 years he was a board member of the Hillcrest Lakers Community Club in Yonkers (1989 – 2004) and helped start its basketball program in 1994 with just 10 kids to over 600 at present. For years the club had to meet in peoples houses and various places. In 2003 with all the hard work, Hillcrest has its own new building and brand new regulation Little League Field. Even though Sal's children did not get the chance of playing on that field, many other lucky children will.

Coaching Little League Baseball, Basketball and Soccer for the last 14 year's (winning many city championships) has built a bonding relationship with his 2 boys and his daughter, but most of all it has brought the spirit of donating quality time, in your community, for the purpose of helping others. Sal's time with his oldest boy Allie has paid off because he broke the all time Eastchester Basketball High School record in points scored, He was also awarded All-State Honors in baseball. He Received a 4 year Baseball Scholarship at Iona College in 2004. Mickey Abbatiello In 2008 broke his brothers scoring record at Eastchester H.S. making them the first 2 Athletes in the State to be the number 1 & 2 all time scorers at the same high school. Mickey led Westchester County In scoring and is attending Baruch College on a Basketball Scholarship.

In 2002 Sal started the Ed Ryan Memorial Scholarship Award which is an award given to a varsity high school player in memory of a neighbor who was a victim of the World Trade Center. The event, organized and sponsored by Eastchester resident and parent Sal Abbatiello, in association with the Eastchester Eagles Sports Club, is in memory of Ed Ryan, an Eastchester resident who died in the attack on the World Trade Center on Sept.11, 2001. Ed left behind his wife Diane and their four children.

The proceeds from the fundraiser are to be used for (3) scholarships each year, to be given to a varsity boy and girl basketball player and our 3rd annual Ray Sanchez Award given to one very Special Student Athlete. Any additional money are used to improve the athletic facilities at Eastchester High School. Proceeds from the first 7 events came to over $80,000. The money was used for improvements to the weight room, weight equipment, training bicycles and banners that are hanging in the gym. (A facility that can be used by all the athletes for training) and the installation of (2) beautiful Scoreboard’son the Varsity Baseball and Softball field. SEVENTEEN scholarships were awarded to Student Athletes.

On June 6th 2009 Sal Abbatiello established The Erika Roman Memorial Foundation benefiting Foster children. Sal helped raise and mentor Erika Roman who was a foster kid herself. Tragically, Erika Roman passed away in a car accident on May 1st, 2009. A memorial was held at Lehman High School's auditorium honoring and celebrating her life with several hundred close friends and family. The foundation’s first fundraiser was held on June 1st, 2009; a Celebrity softball game that included Entertainers & local Club Owners, which was held in the Bronx , at Castle Hill Little League field. The ceremonial pitch was thrown out by The Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, JR who soon after presented Sal Abbatiello with a beautiful Citation (Certificate of Merit) for his efforts in being a respected and loved humanitarian.

In the 80's & 90's Sal Abbatiello has been responsible for helping showcase and be a pioneer of two contrasting types of music (Hip Hop & Freestyle) which started in the Bronx and went world wide. He also help discover three of the most highly influential DJ's of all time (Grand Master Flash -- Little Louie Vega -- Funk Master Flex)

FEVER RECORDS Community & Charity Work