Girl Scouts Of Suffolk County Award College Scholarship

GIRL SCOUTS OF SUFFOLK COUNTY AWARD COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

“Past Presidents Scholarship Fund” recognizes outstanding achievements

(l. to r.): Olivia Vigliotti, Troop 1631, Ronkonkoma; Tammy Severino, CEO, Girl Scouts of Suffolk County; Marissa Cilibrasi, Troop 1631, Ronkonkoma. (photo Girl Scouts of Suffolk County)Hauppauge, NY (May 7, 2024) – The Girl Scouts of Suffolk County awarded its annual Past Presidents Scholarships to five young women planning on attending college in Fall 2024. Each Girl Scout received $500 to be used toward tuition or other expenses related to attending college. 

“These young women have demonstrated a lifelong dedication to the Girl Scouts and the values we represent,” said Tammy Severino, CEO, Girl Scouts of Suffolk County. “Our Girl Scouts are learning to appreciate the outdoors, life skills, leadership and entrepreneurial skills as well as STEM and the arts. We are so proud of them and know they will succeed in college.” 

The five scholarship recipients for 2024 are: 

• ·       Lillian Clements, Troop 60100, Northport, NY 
• ·       Olivia Vigliotti, Troop 1631, Ronkonkoma, NY
• ·       Marissa Cilibrasi, Troop 1631, Ronkonkoma, NY 
• ·       Sarah DiPersio, Troop 227, Miller Place, NY 
• ·       Julia Davi, Troop 98, Brightwaters, NY 

The Board of Directors established the Past Presidents Scholarship Fund in 1988 to award educational scholarships to outstanding Ambassador Girl Scouts in the following categories: Academic Achievement, Community Service, Girl Scouting, and Personal Challenge. The scholarships will be awarded to five qualifying graduating Ambassador Girl Scouts in the Spring of the current year. 

Follow Girl Scouts of Suffolk County on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.  

About Girl Scouts of Suffolk County 

Since 1968, Girl Scouts of Suffolk County has been committed to building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. With over 15,000 members, they are one of the largest youth-serving agencies in Suffolk County. Girl Scouts helps girls develop their full individual potential; relate to others with increasing understanding, skill, and respect; develop values to guide their actions and provide the foundation for sound decision making; and contribute to the improvement of society through their abilities, leadership skills, and cooperation with others. For more information about the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County, please call (631) 543-6622 or visit www.gssc.us.

Recreation Department Announces Fall Horseshoe Tournament Winners

On Saturday, Saturday 27^th, 2024, the Smithtown Recreation Department held its annual Singles and Doubles Fall Horseshoe Tournament at Gibbs Pond Park.

The winner of the Singles Tournament was John Kassay with a record of 4 - 1. Justin Flores finished 2^nd with a 5 – 2 record. Ed Riss finished in 3^rd place with a 4 – 2 record. John Kassay beat Justin Flores in the final 22 – 20.

John Kassay and Deb Kassay were the winners of the Doubles tournament with a 4-0 record. Andy Kassay and Paul Williams finished in 2^nd place with a record of 3 – 2. John Kassay and Deb Kassay beat Andy Kassay and Paul Williams in the final 23 – 18.

Congratulations to all the winners and to everyone who helped make this event so successful.

We hope to see everyone at the Fall Horseshoe Tournament in October.

Contact the Smithtown Recreation Department 631 – 360 – 7644 for more information.

Scouting Volunteers Take Part in Northeast Region Jewish Scouting Conference

AREA SCOUTING VOLUNTEERS TAKE PART IN ANNUAL NORTHEAST REGION JEWISH COMMITTEE ON SCOUTING CONFERENCE

Local Suffolk County Council (Scouts, BSA) Jewish Committee on Scouting volunteers Bruce Streger (previously of Farmingville and now residing in Rockledge, Florida), and Phyllis Stein (of Hauppauge) participated with Scouters from other states in the Northeast from Virginia  to New Hampshire.  This 36th Annual Northeast Region (NER) Jewish Committee on Scouting (JCOS) Conference, was held on April 14, 2024 at  the Jersey Shore Council’s Citta Scout Reservation in Barnegat, New Jersey. There were 40 volunteer Scout Leaders and Scout Professionals from 16 different Boy Scout Councils attending the 2024 NER JCOS Conference.  Normally held in March, the 2024 NER JCOS Conference was held mid April 2024 because Passover is later this year, starting on April 22, 2024

The day-long event started with Jerry Katz (of the Theodore Roosevelt Council BSA, Nassau County, Long Island) blowing of the Shofar (rams horn) followed by a buffet bagel breakfast which celebrated the Jewish Committee’s participation in the Boy Scouts of America, a relationship that started in 1926. The theme “Envisioning the Future ” included a presentation that covered Scouting and anti-Semitism (providing guidance on how to teach our youth – both Jewish and non-Jewish — about antisemitism and providing guidance for youth leadership in dealing with anti-Semitism). as well as seven interactive discussions and “classes”. Other presentations covered teaching the Jewish Religious Emblems, Interfaith Committees and Interfaith events, forming Jewish scouting units, upcoming Jewish Sponsored Philmont Treks (at the National BSA High Adventure base in New Mexico), Planning and executing Jewish  Scouting Events (including Kosher Klondike camporees and the Israeli Scout Caravan visits), forming a high-functioning local JCOS committee, and a discussion of the NJCOS website. 

         Special guest James Gillick, Scout Executive and CEO of the Jersey Shore Council   welcomed the scouting volunteers to Citta Scout Reservation and Phil Sternberg, President of the National Jewish Committee on Scouting, gave an overview of some of the new initiatives at the National level as well as an overview of the NJCOS virtual training events past and upcoming. 

The conference was a joyous event, filled with learning for participants, and much sharing of recent experiences from the Scout leaders who attended. The “midway” had displays and Scouting memorabilia items. Each participant received a special commemorative event patch. 

National JCOS Chaplain, Rabbi Art Vernon of  West Hempstead (Long Island) and the Theodore Roosevelt Council  (BSA) provided attendees with the invocation, D’var Torah, and prayers before the Kosher lunch.   

The newest Jewish Scout Religious Emblem for Lion Cub Scouts (for kindergarten and first grade) is the Aryeh Emblem (Hebrew meaning Lion).  This emblem recently became the JCOS’ 5^th Emblem and was earned earlier this scouting year. Presentations and recognitions were made, including the Bronze, Gold, and Silver Chai Awards to local JCOS Scouters, who had been nominated for their dedication to the Jewish Scouting community by their peers.  

  For more information on joining the JCOS of Suffolk County, Jewish Religious Emblems and workshops, Scout Sabbath Services, Jewish campouts, and more, please contact SCC JCOS Chair Barry Kopeloff at (631) 331-9460.   

Options For Community Living Hosted Murder Mystery Event For Vulnerable Long Islanders

Options’ Hosts Second Murder Mystery Event  Vital Funds Raised for Vulnerable Long Islanders

(Wantagh, NY) Options for Community Living, Inc. (Options) recently held its second Murder Mystery Event- I Love the 80’s to Death, at Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert Hall in Wantagh. Guests enjoyed dinner and refreshments while teaming up to question “suspects” and discover who committed the crime. It was an afternoon of laughter, intrigue, and fundraising. The event hosted 139 guests and raised over $56,000 for Options’ programs which help vulnerable adults, children, and families living on Long Island. 

Yolanda Robano-Gross, CEO at Options for Community Living, Inc. welcomed sponsors and guests with gratitude. “Your generous support helps people who are diagnosed with mental illness and other chronic illnesses live with dignity in the community and we are incredibly thankful.” 

A moving testimonial was provided by Paul Ferretti, who resides in Options housing and works for the agency providing peer services for others living with mental illness. Paul discussed his life full of “highs and lows” including recovery from substance use and a debilitating stroke. “It’s been a journey,” said Paul. “I didn’t have the drive or energy to pick up and start over again, but every step of the way there was Options. I don’t know where I’d be without them.” 

The afternoon concluded with the announcement of raffle basket and silent auction winners along with prizes for the “Best Dressed,” “Best Detectives,” and “Worst Detectives.” Thanks to generous sponsors and a caring community, the event was a “phenomenal success” stated Robano-Gross. “We are already discussing plans for next year’s event and what the theme will be.” Stay tuned!  

To learn more about Options for Community Living, Inc. and how you can support its mission, visit www.optionscl.org or call a member of the Development Department at (631) 361-9020.  

About Options for Community Living, Inc.

Established in 1982, Options for Community Living, Inc. operates residential programs for adults recovering from mental illness, care coordination services for adults and children with chronic health conditions, and housing and services for homeless people with disabilities and/or HIV/AIDS. Options’ mission to assist people to live independently and with dignity in the community has grown through the years to serve more than 2,200 adults and children annually. 

$40,000 Raised In Head Of The Harbor For Ronald McDonald House At Stony Brook

ST. JAMES FIVE-MILE CHALLENGE & 5K FUN RUN THROUGH HEAD OF THE HARBOR RAISES $40,000FOR RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE AT STONY BROOK CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL 

Photo: Ronald McDonald House Charities NY MetroNew Hyde Park, NY (April 22, 2024) – More than 400 runners and walkers took part in the St. James Certified 5 Mile Challenge and 5K Fun Run, hosted by Ronald McDonald House Charities NY Metro, on Saturday, April 13, 2024, raising $40,000 for the new Ronald McDonald House at Stony Brook Hospital.  

“We are so grateful to all the Long Islanders – runners, walkers and families – that came out to support our work to build the first Ronald McDonald House in Suffolk County,” said Cynthia Lippe, Chair of the Committee for the Stony Brook house. “This has been a labor of love for many years – and we are near the finish line, just like in a race.”  Among the runners was Wendy Lau, of Northport, whose family stayed at the Ronald McDonald House while her son Tolby received treatment for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). 

“Running eased the reality of my son’s AML diagnosis in April of 2014. It’s been exactly 10 years. He is well and experiencing the life of a healthy 13 year old,” said Wendy. “I run in celebration, in thanks, in remembrance and for joy.” The new Ronald McDonald House at Stony Brook Children’s is set to break ground on April 30, 2024. This will be the first Ronald McDonald House located in Suffolk County, and only the second on Long Island. The other Ronald McDonald House is in New Hyde Park in Nassau County, located adjacent to Cohen Children’s Medical Center.