July 2010

The first six months of 2010 have proven to be strong for The YMCA of Long Island despite difficult financial times. Income increased 2% while expenses were 4% lower than last year thanks to sound management policies and direction…The new Patchogue Village YMCA is scheduled for a Friday, August 27th Ribbon Cutting ceremony in anticipation of the GRAND OPENING, September 7th. The Huntington YMCA has scheduled their ribbon cutting ceremony to open the Sammis Family Child Care Wing and Strength Training Center Friday, September 10th. These two facilities mark the final phases of $28.5 million capital campaigns complimenting The Martone Children Children’s Center at the Glen Cove YMCA facility last year. Further, a YMCA in the Riverhead area is still in the works so please stay tuned!

Executive Vice President and COO Anne N. Brigis attended the YMCA General Assembly in Salt Lake City this July and walked away connected, educated and inspired by the many motivational speakers, workshops, staff and volunteers who help make the differences in their YMCA communities. The highlight was YMCA of the USA President/CEO Neil Nicoll announcing the new brand strategy to help make “Y” take a more prominent place among leading nonprofits and to strengthen our mission. This will include a new “Y” logo and colors; a new message championing Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility and, equally important, the new way we will henceforth refer to ourselves as the “Y.” What remains unchanged is our mission: to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. As we implement these exciting new steps, we will keep you informed.

Association Headquarters welcomes Edward Ambrosino of Ruskin Moscou Falticheck PC; Armand P. D’Amato, Managing Partner of Park Strategies LLC and Scott Sammis, recently retired President of USI Insurance Services to the Board of Directors… Congratulations to Association Secretary Walter Timoshenko for being named Executive of the Year by the St. John’s University Business School “Executive in Residence Program”…The May 5th Golf Classic posted net revenue of $89,851 which will allow 411 disadvantaged children to attend summer camp. The May 13th Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner welcomed 218 YMCA family and friends to help say “thank you” to those volunteers who give so much to the ”Y” and to award two $1,000 Scholarships to Dianne Grayson Wallace Scholarship recipient Alyssa Liguori and Henry R. Bang Scholarship recipient, John Ford… Summer camp is off to a wonderful start as thousands of children island-wide enjoy the magic of the “Y” camp! … YMCA Night with the Long Island Ducks was a great success as always and was highlighted by Theresa Durso throwing out a” perfect pitch “assisted by YMCA Chairman, the Hon. Richard J. McCord… This year’s Diamonds & Burlap Auction and Dinner Dance will be at a new venue, The Cradle of Aviation, Garden City on Saturday, November 13th. At that time, the “Y” will honor Bethpage Federal Credit Union and its President and CEO Kirk Kordeleski… A big THANK YOU is extended to all YMCA employees who participated in the first island wide YMCA of Long Island Annual Employee Appeal. More than $25,000 was raised and will be credited to the Scholarship Assistance Fund!...Late breaking news…Warmest congratulations and best wishes to Board of Trustees Chairman Peter Mastaglio on the birth of his first grandchild Bridie Elizabeth! The Great South Bay YMCA provided FREE swimming lessons for more than 100 children to teach their families and them about water safety...Summer camp is off to a strong start with more than 1,000 kids attending the first session plus $121,660 in day camp scholarship assistance has already been awarded to 181 disadvantaged children…GSB continues to partner with ACLD and Family Service League this summer...The Child Care Partnership with the Amityville UFSD was successful as well as being a major partner in the 21st Century Learning Grant…A new program geared towards Triathletes was attended by 100...The 10th Annual Judi Shesh Race raised $25,000 for breast cancer awareness… A sincere thank you is extended to Senator Owen Johnson for $40,000 in Camp Financial Assistance, support of the Fit Kids Exercise Program, and Boulton Center Programming…Come see our new lobby suggests Executive Director Bob Pettersen …The Boulton Center for the Performing Arts is pleased to announce they will be honoring YMCA Executive Vice President and COO Anne N. Brigis at the October 16th Annual Gala. Chairing the event will be Sabrina Rettaliata with help from 2010 Honorary Chairpersons Susan Barbash and Frank Boulton...Also, the Boulton Center would like to thank North Shore/LIJ-Southside Hospital for helping us to bring former New York Yankee and 2009 Latin Grammy Award winner Bernie Williams to the theatre on June 16th…The YMCA at Glen Cove reports awarding $38,776 is scholarship assistance to 38 families...Summer campers will total 940+ and will enjoy the new Gaga Pit, WII Stations, and more (90% returning counselors)…Thank you to Nicholas L. Martone who completed his term as Chairman of the Board… Welcome to new Chairman, Peter S. Treiber; Donna M. McNaughton, Esq. as Vice Chairman and Reginald A. Spinello, Treasurer… June 2-4th witnessed the first Pre-School Graduation Ceremony from the Martone Children’s Center. Enrollment for the 2010/2011 Pre School year is strong plus the full day cooperative program with The Mill Neck School for the Deaf this September promises to be an exciting new venture… Congratulations to Peter Foster and Brian Filipone for 3 years of outstanding service...Thank you to The Schein Family for their outstanding $28,950 contribution to the Camp Scholarship Assistance Program through the Jewish Communal Fund and to Assemblyman Charles D. Levine for the $2,500 member item grant funding… The Huntington YMCA proudly reports raising $60,000 at the Memorial Day Carnival for the Scholarship Assistance Fund and thanks to Verizon returning as the Grand Sponsor and to Huntington Jeep Chrysler, J. Petrocelli Construction and VHB Engineering as Super Sponsors…The 4th Annual Marcie Mazzola Run attracted 600 runners and helped raise $20,000 for camp scholarships...Executive Director Eileen Knauer is delighted to report more than 1,800 children will attend summer camp with 191 receiving $135,640 in scholarship funding…Congratulations to Roseann Sarducci who was promoted to Youth Camp Director and to Tina Tortoso as her assistant… The new Pre Teen Youth Triathlon entitled “Why Not Tri” attracted 40 kids and will be offered again...The Brookhaven Roe YMCA Annual Golf Classic was a sellout reports Executive Director Donna Boyle thanks to honoree Sean Rose of Clare Rose, Inc. helping to net $72,000 which will send more than 200 kids to summer camp and who will enjoy the new 30 foot Gaga Pit, new outdoor bathroom facilities, snack shop, wooden play house and more…Less than two months before the Patchogue Village YMCA opens!…The East Hampton YMCA RECenter reports summer camp is expected to exceed last year’s count( 190+ per session)with 90% of last year’s campers returning reports Executive Director Juan Castro (31 camp scholarships have already been awarded)….Camp concentration this year will center around a healthier life style, eating the right foods, exercise, positive outlook on life and more…A special YMCA Summer Camp jingle was written by the counselors and will be sung by the arts camp for the YMCA Commercial on WBAZ…also despite a $110,000 funding cut from the Town of East Hampton, Juan and his staff have been able to meet or exceed this year’s financial expectation for the first six months of 2010. Congratulations Juan to you, your staff and Board of Managers…YMCA Family Services Executive Director Maryanne Siemer reports the OASAS Treatment State Audit had us scoring above average in all categories…We have been asked to bring our programs into the Middle County, Northport, Comsewoque and Sachem School Districts…Town of Brookhaven has asked our drug educators to conduct sessions of Bullying/Cyber Bullying, Stress Reduction in addition to Drug and Alcohol Prevention throughout the summer…”YMCA” the Place received a $1,700 grant from the Townwide Fund…The William Floyd Project -Youth and Government Program continues to excel with YMCA of Long Island taking 6 out of the 10 positions at the Albany Conference…Mastic Leaders Club participated in Suicide Prevention among teens workshop...Tobacco Awareness Programs have influenced all YMCA of Long Island locations to be tobacco free!

A Special Remembrance:

On April 17, 2010, Mr. Joseph Graziose, Jr. passed away. “Graz”, as he was affectionally called, was Vice President of Paramount Development Associates, Glen Cove; a member of the YMCA at Glen Cove Board of Managers and its Building & Grounds Committee; 2007 YMCA of Long Island Diamonds & Burlap Auction Dinner Dance Honoree; 2010 YMCA at Glen Cove Adult Volunteer of the Year and friend to many. He resided in Glen Cove with his wife, Barbara. He will be missed.