IN THIS ISSUE
Kicks for Kids Former Little Brother and Renarts Footwear donate 50 pairs of shoes. Photo Gallery on page 3
Scholarship Four Littles in our program were awarded the Jeff Grant, Glenn Trovato and Michael J. Weisbrod Scholarship. Find out who on page 2!
Agency Events Walk for Kids’ Sake Raises $70,000 p.2 and upcoming dates for our 2013 Golf Tournament, Presidential Gala on page 3
big news spring 2013
A publication of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island
2013 Bigs of the Year
Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, Celebrating Our Bigs On Tuesday, April 23, we celebrated our Bigs at the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, generously sponsored by Sperry Associates FCU. “Sperry Associates Federal Credit Union is honored to sponsor the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island Volunteer Appreciation Dinner in celebration of mentoring and making a difference in the lives of children in our community,” said Kevin Healy, CEO of Sperry FCU. During the evening’s program, volunteer mentors (‘Bigs’) who have been matched for five or more years were recognized. BBBSLI also proudly announced the Bigs of the Year, those who have gone above and beyond in support of a child facing adversity: College Big of the Year Hofstra University Mentoring Program Sean Williams
Big Sister of the Year Lisanne Lange of Mineola, NY Matched since 2003 Big Brother of the Year John Murphy of Williston Park, NY Matched since 2005 Sean Williams’ Little Brother, 8-year old Mukesh, wrote in his speech, “I’ve known Sean for some time now and feel very comfortable around him. I do not ever feel that he judges me. Sean is always encouraging me to do my very best. Sean is a very helpful person.” Little Sister Nicole has been matched for 10 years with her Big Sister, Lisanne Lange, and wrote “Thank you for supporting me and helping me grow up. You have inspired me to be a Big Sister- every little girl should get to experience a relationship like ours.” Big Brother of the Year John Murphy’s Little Brother wrote a heartfelt letter, sharing “I remember John always telling me that life is better than money and cars. He taught me that family is the most important thing in life. He has always been caring for my family and me and never once gave up on me.”
From the CEO We are well on our way navigating through the tedious process of fully restoring our warehouse which was destroyed by Sandy. Like many Long Islanders, we eagerly await actual reconstruction to begin. Yet we look forward to a new and stronger facility in the near future. Sandy didn’t stop us for long due to the extraordinary resilience and dedication of our Donation Center staff, mentoring program staff and volunteers and families in our agency. With the end of April showers brings a bright 2013, and again we look to serving more families and children in need of our services. With the continued support of all of our readers, we will climb to new heights. Thank you, always, for your unwavering support of our Littles.
From L-R, Big Sister of the Year Lisanne Lange, College Big of the Year Sean Williams and Big Brother of the Year, John Murphy.
spring 2013 bbbsli.org
Board Update
We are proud to announce and welcome our newest member of the Board of Directors.
Regina Schilling is the Operations Coordinator for Steve Madden Ltd. Ms. Schilling graduated with a BA from Molloy College and is an active participant in events run by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) as well as a longtime supporter of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island. “I am fully supportive of the mission and vision of the agency and I look forward to continuing my involvement, as well as expanding my efforts in my new role,” remarked Ms. Schilling. “I’m committed to generating support on behalf of an organization I truly believe in.” Ms. Schilling resides in West Islip with her husband, John.
WFKS Raises $70,000
On Saturday, April 27th, 400 participants took part in the Walk for Kids’ Sake, raising more than $70,000 in support of mentoring. Board Members joined sponsors GEICO and Capital One Bank in kicking off the event at Eisenhower Park. Visit Facebook.com/bbbsli or bbbsli.org for more details and photos! (Photo L-R) Jeff Schwartzberg (Board Chair), Michael Paley, Joy Watson, CEO Bill Tymann, E. David Woycik, Michael Thomas (GEICO), Andrew Sherry (Captital One), Regina Schilling, Daniel Greenburg and Thomas Slome.
Scholarship Winners
Four BBBSLI Participants Receive Financial Aid for College We are thrilled to announce the recipi- dreams of pursuing a career as a stylist in ents of the 2013 Jeffrey Grant and Glenn a New York City salon. She will be studyTrovato Scholarship and the Michael J. ing cosmetology this fall. Weisbrod Memorial Scholarship Award, an opportunity open to all past and pres- Bryzeida Perez, a senior at Sacred Heart ent participants in our programs who Academy, was a Little Sister in our former are pursuing higher education for the Bridgehampton/Southampton College first time. The families of Jeffrey Grant, program. A dedicated and driven student, Bryzeida Glenn Trovato is a member and Michael J. of the NationWeisbrod have al Honor Socigenerously ety and won made possible first place in this scholara sustainable ship opportuhome design nity in memory competition of their loved in 2012. She ones. Scholcame to the arships are United States awarded to with her famthose who Photo from left to right: Scholarship recipients and Bigs in our Hampton Bays demonstrate site-based program Tetyana Senchyshyn, Jesse Dubrowsky and Daniela Gutier- ily at the age rez. of one and is high levels of a reporter/photographer for Voz Latina, a motivation, responsibility and resiliency performer in a Mexican dance group and as well as financial need. is a member of the League of Women Congratulations to Jesse Dubrowsky, Brit- Voters. She looks forward to Architectural tany Heckman, Bryzeida Perez and Tetya- Studies at one of her top choice universina Senchyshyn, each of whom received ties. between $3,500 and $4,000 towards their Tetyana Senchyshyn, a senior at Hampcollege education! ton Bays High School, is a Big Sister in our Jesse Dubrowsky, a senior at Hampton Hampton Bays site-based mentoring proBays High School, is a Big Brother in our gram. From the Robotics Club to MathHampton Bays site-based mentoring pro- letes, to the Thespian Society and Band gram for a second year in a row. Jesse is and Chorus, Tetyana is a well-rounded passionate about giving back to the com- and dedicated student. A National Honor munity and volunteers as a junior EMT, at Society Member, Tetyana is also a volhis local animal shelter, and is a member unteer at the Hampton Bays Volunteer of the Key Club and H.O.P.E Club. An ex- Ambulance Corps. She plans on studying cellent student, Jesse is a member of the chemistry at Virginia Polytechnic Institute Robotics Club, the National Honor Soci- and State University this fall with a dream ety and received the AP Scholar Award. of working for the FBI. He will attend Virginia Polytechnic Institute this fall to pursue a career as an aero- Nature’s Bounty (NBTY) has also awarded three of the applicants an additional space engineer. scholarship of $10,000 each. CongratulaBrittany Heckman, a senior at William tions to Jesse Dubrowsky, Daniela GutierFloyd High School, was matched with Big rez and Tetyana Senchyshyn. Sister Maureen in 2004. Brittany grew up in a single-parent household as the eldest Additionally, Sean WIlliams, our College of three siblings- all of whom have little Big of the Year, is the recipient of the Edor no contact with their father. A dedi- ward and Lillian Woycik Big Brothers Big cated, creative young woman, Brittany Sisters Endowed Scholarship at Hofstra has enrolled in many art classes including University for $1,193. painting, photography and sculpture and spring 2013 bbbsli.org p2
Kicks for Kids
The 30 year-old Long Island based footwear retailer Renarts Footwear hosted ‘Kicks for Kids’, benefiting our “Littles”, at their East Northport store on April 6th. This was the second ‘Kicks for Kids’ event, created by former BBBSLI Little Brother Chase Ceparano, providing Littles in our mentoring program with brand new sneakers. This special event featured tents set up outside the storefront where 50 Littles and their Bigs received VIP treatment from Renarts staff on a gorgeous spring day. Additionally, TCBY Ice Cream in East Northport donated gift cards to every Little thanks to Theresa Kaplan. “I can speak for all of us at Renarts and proudly say that having the opportunity to team with Big Brothers Big Sisters and help out the special ‘Littles’ in their organization is absolutely amazing,” says Chase. He, along with Renarts owners, brothers Ankur and Nick Amin, rallied support from vendors for the event. “We’re truly happy to play a part in this program along with our vendors and are already looking forward to the next ‘Kicks for Kids’ event coming this Fall.”
Over $14,000 Raised for BBBSLI
BBBSLI held its annual “Poker Night” sponsored by the Edward Smith Lions Club at Social Sports Kitchen on Tuesday March 12th. This tournament was once again sold out with 100 players and raised $14,000 in support of mentoring. Just before midnight, Jeremy Ecker took 1st place as well as the grand prize, a trip for two to Las Vegas, including airfare and hotel stay, compliments of Pete Maniscalco of the Courtyard Travel Ltd. in Great Neck, NY. Second Place was once again taken by Victoria Mink with Tim Sheerin right behind in third. Thank you to our generous Table Sponsors! CHIPS Technology Group Executive Business Association (EBA) Harry Backrach Iron Cove Partners Merrick Madmen Courtyard Travel Ltd. The Whitmore Group, Ltd.
UPCOMING EVENTS JUNE 3RD 17th Annual Golf Tournament Join us for the 17th Annual Golf outing to be held at Muttontown Country Club, East Norwich, NY
OCTOBER 3RD Presidential Gala Mark your calendars for our most prestigious event of the year! Crest Hollow Country Club, Woodbury NY spring 2013 bbbsli.org p3
BBBSLI Bigs and Staff Attend the Mentoring Partnership Conference Pictured left to right: Paul Moran (BB), Mara Schwartz (Case Manager for BBBSLI), Andrea Papp (BS), Jean Cohen (Executive Director of the Mentoring Partnership of LI), Laura Schroff (author, Invisible Thread), Franca Floro (Director of Programs & Training for the Mentoring Partnership of LI), Susan Samaroo (COO of BBBSLI), Suzette Morgan (BS), Courtney Chase (BS), Schenelle Henry (BS).
Donate Your Tickets!
If you or someone you know has tickets they cannot use, please consider donating them to BBBSLI for our Bigs & Littles. Contact our main office at 516.731.7880
Our Team Pictured left to right: Bill Tymann, CEO of BBBSLI and Robert Keller, President of the National Grid Foundation.
In Support After Sandy National Grid Foundation
In the aftermath of Sandy, the National Grid Foundation provided BBBSLI with a grant of $10,000 to support those in our program who were affected by the Hurricane. “Like so many other Long Islander’s, BBBSLI suffered devastating losses during the Hurricane. With its warehouse damaged and a major source of its income lost, the National Grid Foundation was pleased to help support the Mentoring Program -- which means so much to youth in need here on Long Island,” said Bob Keller, President of the National Grid Foundation. The much needed financial support bolstered our agency’s ability to continue to provide for our Littles, volunteers and their families during this difficult time.
Spring Cleaning?
Schedule a Pickup Online Let us help with your spring cleaning! Bag all your unwanted clothing and household items and schedule a pickup online at bbbsli.org, call 631-234-0000 or visit one of our conveniently located bins by using our bin finder online!
Board Chair Jeffrey Schwartzberg CEO William Tymann COO Susan Samaroo CDO Mark Cox Newsletter Editor Jamessina Hille
Contact Us Nassau 516.731.7880 Suffolk 631.273.1469 East End 631.287.0086 Donation Center 631.234.0000 Email volunteers@bbbsli.org Web www.bbbsli.org spring 2013 bbbsli.org p4