As the administrative judge for New York’s Tenth Judicial District, which encompasses Nassau County, Judge Vito DeStefano is given the huge responsibility of overseeing the day-to-day operations of the courts in his jurisdiction while managing his own caseload.

One young attendee to the Nassau County Bar Association’s 33rd Annual Children’s Festival asked DeStefano if he’s anything like Judge Judy.

“I assured him that I was not but was much more like Judge Vito,” DeStefano recounted. “The children had a great time and it was a true blessing for me to be there.”

The event, held on Feb. 23, attracted more than 200 children, ages 5-12, who were treated to a day of fun, games, snacks and—perhaps most importantly—got to take the day off from school to take part.

The Children’s Festival is held annually, courtesy of volunteer attorneys and judges of the Nassau County Bar Association’s charitable arm, the WE CARE Fund, with a mission to instill positive attitudes and relationships with the local legal community.

The WE CARE Fund, a part of the Nassau Bar Foundation, the charitable arm of the Nassau County Bar Association (NCBA), receives contributions from the Nassau County legal community and local businesses.