The Municipal Credit Union has named Joseph Usatch, a social studies teacher at IS 311 in East New York, the Most Valuable New Yorker for his charitable work on behalf of the UFT. Usatch received his award during the first time out at a St. John’s University basketball game in Madison Square Garden on Jan. 31. A 10-year classroom veteran, Usatch works tirelessly to find organizations willing to donate winter coats, scarves, hats and gloves for the UFT to distribute at its annual Thanksgiving luncheon organized by the union’s Middle School Division. Children from homeless shelters or who live in temporary housing receive the winter gear at the event, co-sponsored by the Coalition for the Homeless. As Usatch, the chapter leader at his school, explained, “Every year it gets better and better as word gets out about our efforts on behalf of the city’s neediest students.” Usatch also has volunteered at the UFT’s annual holiday party for homeless children in December.