Mother Nature vs. Halloween

The score is currently Rain-1, Halloween-0 but things could change for eager trick-or-treaters if the weather clears. Check sponsor organizations’ websites and/or Facebook pages for updates.

HUNTINGTON VILLAGE

With steady rains falling since morning and a 70-percent chance of rain during the after-school hours, Mother Nature may force Trick-or-Treaters indoors this year. As of 11 a.m. Thursday, the annual Halloween parade in Huntington Village, sponsored by Huntington Council members Mark Cuthbertson and Joan Cergol, is still on, according to the council office. Check the town website at huntingtonny.gov for updates. If it’s on, meet at 4 p.m. in front of the Huntington Post Office on Gerard Street, then parade to Main Street. Village merchants will pass out candy to trick-or-treaters, courtesy of the Huntington Village Business Improvement District. Make sure to stop by ProHealth Dental at 35 Gerard Street, and get a free toothbrush and floss for your little ghosts and goblins, enter to win raffle prizes, and meet the kid-friendly staff.

NORTHPORT VILLAGE

Halloween Hayrides sponsored by the Northport Chamber of Commerce have been postponed, according to the chamber’s website. A 19-year tradition, the hayrides in Northport Village Park are rescheduled for Sunday, Nov. 3, noon to 4 p.m. Hayrides are $5 per person.

GREENLAWN

Halloween on Broadway, sponsored by the Greenlawn Civic Association, is on – rain or shine. “Bring your umbrellas,” reads an update on the association’s Facebook page. Merchants displaying the Halloween on Broadway flyer in their window will be passing out treats.

They Took The Kids Fishing

Winners of the “Take a Kid Fishing” trip with Huntington Supervisor Chad Lupinacci, James Joseph II captain James Schneider; Jim Howard and Jerry Giuseppone of the Suffolk County Senior Citizens Fishing Club; and John Schoenig and Bob Gordon of the Imperial Sportsmen’s Club of Long Island, ready to embark on a four-hour fishing excursion.

By Peter Sloggatt

psloggatt@longislandergroup.com

Fishing is important to the Suffolk County Senior Citizens Fishing Club and the Imperial Sportsmen’s Club of Long Island members. They want the next generation to think so too. So every year for nearly two decades now  they’ve put together a free fishing trip to introduce kids to salt water fishing and teach them about the importance of environmental conservation.

This year’s “Take A Kid Fishing” day – the 18th organized by the two clubs – took off Wednesday afternoon from the Huntington Town dock at Halesite Marina. On board the James Joseph II charter boat, Captain James Schneider and his crew, along with volunteers from the fishing clubs welcomed a group of eager youngsters ready for a day on the water. The kids ranged from 9 to 13 years old and had been selected in a lottery drawing held a few weeks ago.

Schneider donates the fishing trip each year as a way of sharing his love of the sport and the open water.

“We want to get more and more kids involved in fishing and the environment,” Schneider said. “I’ve been fishing in this town since I was two years old. Having the opportunity to give 30 free fishing trips away to kids from our community each year is a small way for us to show our appreciation to the town for everything they’ve given to us.”

In addition to the boat trip, Schneider supplied fishing equipment and bait, as well as a crew to assist and educate the boys and girls.

James Joseph Captain James Schneider, right, with Di Raimo’s Pizza’s delivery guy. Resident Paul Travaglia arranged for Di Raimo’s to deliver hot pies to the boat so there was pizza for all.

Volunteers from the fishing clubs – Jim Howard and Jerry Giuseppone of Suffolk County Senior Citizens Fishing Club, and John Schoenig and Bob Gordon of Imperial Sportsmen’s Club of Long Island – shared their love of the sea and fishing as well.

“Fishing allows a person to commune with nature, have quiet time to reflect, socialize, develop patience, skills and self-confidence. These are all great things for youth,” Jim Howard of the Suffolk County Senior Citizens’ Fishing Club said. “It also shows how people relate to nature and conservation. That is why … [we] sponsor the Take a Kid Fishing program.”

Imperial Sportsmen’s Club of Long Island’s John Schoenig echoed the thought.

“We want to give back to the community, show the youngsters the fun of salt water fishing and teach them about conservation and preserving our natural resources,” Schoenig said.

Huntington Supervisor Chad Lupinacci was dockside to see the boat off.

“I want to thank the Suffolk County Senior Citizens Fishing Club and the Imperial Sportsmen’s Club of Long Island for donating their time to educate these kids about fishing and conservation and special thanks to Captain James Schneider of the James Joseph II for donating this prime time from his business for these children to expose them to this great American pastime,” Lupinacci said.

The supervisor also gave a shout-out to resident Paul Travaglia who arranged for Di Raimo’s Pizzeria to deliver hot pizzas to the boat before it launched.

Suffolk County Senior Citizens’ Fishing Club is a non-profit organization dedicated to conservation of Long Island waters. The group is based out of the Senior Citizen Beach House in Centerport.

‘Dream Team’s’ Fundraising Shatters Records

Lloyd Neck resident Asaf German’s “Racing to a Cure” event held at Ferrari Maserati of Long Island raised over $70,000. Pedro Velez, left, and Christopher Chiarenza, right, were among more than 400 guests who joined German, center, at the event.

By Sophia Ricco
sricco@longislandergroup.com

Advancing blood cancer research through fundraising was a challenge Asaf German and his “Dream Team” proudly accepted.

They defied expectations, raising $461,000.

German, a Lloyd Neck resident, was nominated by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Long Island chapter as Man of the Year, tasking him to raise money for cancer education and treatments over a 10-week period. German set a new fundraising record for the chapter surpassing the previous amount by $243,000 through donations, sponsorships and a cocktail party. With over 75 people, his massive team enlisted project managers and previous candidates to assist the cause.

“When a lot of passion, like-minded individuals get together, there’s almost nothing we can’t accomplish,” German said.

Throughout the country, candidates collected donations with each dollar counting as a vote. This year, the Man and Woman of the Year campaign raised $52 million. German ranked eighth nationally out of 936 candidates.

Huntington Supervisor Chad Lupinacci and the town board honored German’s accomplishment at their July 16 meeting presenting him a proclamation for his dedication.

“Asaf has consistently shown his commitment to serving those suffering from these illnesses by encouraging others to get involved in the fundraising campaign for the Boy and Girl of the Year, who are local pediatric cancer survivors,” Lupinacci said.

With no experience in fundraising, the real estate attorney and father of two sought advice from past nominees who emphasized ample preparation. With a strict time frame to only accept donations between March 28 and June 6, the “Dream Team” reached out to sponsors months in advance, then collected when the time came.

“It’s a 10-week campaign but I worked on it for eight months, five hours a day,” German said. “As anyone who knows me knows, I get to work at 4 in the morning and I don’t have five minutes free. But it’s such an incredible cause and for once in my life, I was given an opportunity to help so many people.”

The team sent out letters locally, requesting donations and hosted a huge event that raised over $70,000. The “Racing to a Cure” cocktail party was a lavish affair with over 400 guests mingling at Ferrari Maserati of Long Island. Ferrari of Long Island owner Soojin Kim, a cancer survivor, donated the space after speaking to German about the magnitude of the campaign.

“I only had one opportunity. Being Man of the Year is a once in a lifetime thing,” German said. “I wanted to make sure when I’m done with this campaign, I look back and I left no stone unturned.”

Grateful for his and his family’s health, German was inspired by Boy and Girl of the Year Jesse Pallas of Miller Place and Morgan Sim of Port Washington. Survivors of leukemia, they symbolize the children the campaign benefits. When German learned of Pallas’ love for police and firefighters, he called in a favor that made a night with Pallas’ family special.

“We’re having dinner and they ring the doorbell. It’s police officers that say they are looking for Jesse,” German said. “They ask him if he wants to ride around in the police car. This kid was so happy… Then the fire truck came wailing down the block. They took him for a ride with sirens, and lights and gave him a hat.”

Huntington Town Board members recognized German with a proclamation in praise of his fundraising accomplishment.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society put the funds from Man and Woman of the Year to good use. The money pays for research, blood cancer education and support, and increase access for patients. The society is grateful for German’s “all in” effort.

“Asaf is an exceptional volunteer leader who is passionate and determined, and a leader in his community,” campaign director, Meagan Doyle said. “Together, we are getting closer to LLS’s goal of a world without cancer.”