L.B. Kiwanis celebrates women’s history
By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com
The Kiwanis Club of Long Beach hosted its third annual Women’s History Month Brunch Fundraiser on March 9, celebrating outstanding women in the community while also raising funds for the club’s efforts
“There are so many dynamic women in our community that either are involved in various arts or are very philanthropic or just give back to the community,” Kiwanis President Marianne Raisig said. “We want to honor those people, because they are the thread that runs through this community that always step up when there’s a need.”
The brunch, held at Minnesota’s Bar & Grill, at 959 W. Beech St., saw more than 100 attendees. This year’s honorees are Liz Nachman, Teresa McCarthy and Amy Schwartz Bernabeo.
A successful fashion entrepreneur, Schwartz Bernabeo founded Amyzing Pieces, LLC, creating jewelry and clothing. Known for stepping up in times of crisis, she actively supports local causes and organizations. Previously named Long Beach’s Woman of the Year, she continues to be a symbol of generosity and community service.
McCarthy is a dedicated community leader, serving as the director of community outreach at Maple Family Centers, where she organizes fundraising events. She also works as a children’s librarian at Island Park Public Library. With over a decade of involvement in Girl Scouts, she mentors young girls in leadership and service.
Nachman is a driving force in local philanthropy and business. After Hurricane Sandy, she founded Rebuild the Beach, raising funds for Long Beach schools and the community. As co-owner of Brandable Marketing, she helps local businesses with promotional products and leads charitable initiatives through Kiwanis, Beach Giving and the Long Beach Farmers’ Market.
The money raised at the brunch will help send local children in need to summer camp. The club supports local camps at the Long Beach Recreation Center and the Martin Luther King Center as well as Camp Kiwanis in the Adirondacks.
The city Kiwanis Club has served the community since 1957, focusing on assisting children. Partnering with local schools and social workers, the club has provided everything from school supplies and winter coats to resources for displaced families in need of necessities. It also organizes initiatives like food drives, holiday support programs and even a bike safety rodeo, in collaboration with the Long Beach Police Department.
“We just notice a need and we try to fulfill those needs, trying to make a child’s life just a little better,” Raisig said. “We don’t look at it as a handout, we look at it as a hand up. Sometimes just a small intervention in a child’s life could make a dramatic difference for the rest of their life, like somebody
President of Kiwanis Club Marianne Raisig closes out the ceremony.
cares, and that’s what we’re about.”
The club works with the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Centers at Stony Brook University Hospital and Cohen Children’s Hospital, while also participating in programs like cooking meals for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House New York Metro.
Each fall, Kiwanis hosts another key fundraiser, Playing in the Pubs, where local bands volunteer their time for a day of live music. Proceeds from the event help cover the cost of music lessons for children from low-income families who qualify for New York State School Music Association competitions but cannot afford private instruction.
For more information on the organization, visit kiwanisclubLB.org
Honoree Amy Schwartz Barnabeo embraced Donna Johnson, who introduced her.
County Legislator Patrick Mullaney presented the honorees with a citation.
Alice Moreno/Herald photos
Honorees Liz Nachman, Amy Schwartz Bernabeo, and Teresa McCarthy.
MLK Center is looking toward the future
ship with the City of Long Beach and everyone else.”
During the brunch, attendees ventured inside the building, mingling, smiling and laughing, with the stress of finalizing the lease now behind them.
“I could not have asked for a better partner than Sheena,” Creighton said of the center’s board chair, Sheena Curry. “She worked very hard to make this happen. This is important to everybody in this room. This was important to the city. This is important to everybody in Long Beach. The MLK Center is part of Long Beach. The MLK Center is Long Beach. We need to make sure that we treat it that way.”
The center has had its share of financial difficulties over the years. The city began an eviction process against it in 2022, saying that it “consistently failed to meet” with city administrators to negotiate a lease. The new agreement puts an end to that process.
“I could thank everyone in the room for all of the help that they have given me,” Curry said. “When I came into the MLK center in March, I had $927 in the bank account. We were able to make it happen, and we’re still standing.”
The brunch wasn’t an occasion to look back on the struggles of the past, but rather a chance to look toward the future. Curry spoke of the hopes she has for the center moving forward, and called for people across the community to help out in any way they can, either by donating money or giving their time.
“We need more people that’s going to do it from the heart, and just do it because they care for these kids and care for these seniors,” Curry said. “So I’m up here saying all the people that would like to volunteer, that are aligned with our mission, that are aligned with our direction and aligned with the way that we do things, I say, come in and help us, because we definitely need help.”
The center offers a wide variety of programs for people of all ages, ranging from theater, dance and arts and crafts to STEM, sports and ensuring that children finish all their schoolwork. It also hosts meals at holidays including Thanksgiving for those in need. As well, there are collaborations with other service organizations on adult enrichment classes, and food and clothing drives.
Even without a lease agreement, the center has continued to offer all those services to the public for free, despite shortages of volunteers and, much of the time, money. Since Curry took over last year, the facility has applied for a handful of grants, so it can offer even more.
City Council Vice President Chris Fiumara said that when he, council President Brendan Finn, and Councilman Mike Reinhart began their tenure in January 2024, joining Councilmen John Bendo and Roy Lester, one of their priorities was to settle the backand-forth on the MLK Center’s lease.
had been signed.
“One of the things I wanted to do in this position was make sure, within a year or so, we had this done and we had a lease,” Fiumara said. “It was so
important to me. Everybody who was involved, thank you. It’s a great thing for Long Beach, and I encourage everybody to use this center. Today’s a good
day, and today I’m proud to not stand as the vice president
am
of the City Council, but I really
sincerely proud to be a Long Beach resident.”
Alice Moreno/Herald photos
the mLK Center’s ribbon-cutting celebration on march 8 drew a large crowd.
City Council Vice president Chris fiumara spoke of his gratitude that a new lease
deanna Cruse, one of the founders of the mLK Center, spoke to the crowd.
City manager dan Creighton presented mLK Center board Chair Sheena Curry with a proclamation highlighting a new era for the center.
marcia gray, a board member for the center, thanked everyone there for their support.
Leaders and advocates celebrate Sustainability
Local leaders push for greener, cleaner communities
By Kelsie Radziski
Visionaries, advocates and trailblazing leaders gathered at the Heritage Club in Bethpage on Feb. 26 to celebrate groundbreaking innovations and inspire bold action toward a sustainable future. From young students to influential policy-makers to community members making a difference, the Herald Sustainability Awards of Long Island, presented by Reworld, recognized those whose efforts are shaping a cleaner, greener tomorrow.
“It is an honor for us at the Herald and Reworld to showcase the achievements of these leaders,” Stuart Richner, president and publisher of Richner Communications Inc. and the Herald, said.
As Azeez Mohammed, CEO of Reworld, emphasized, the commitment to sustainability is not just about progress — it’s about making a lasting, positive impact.
“We are honoring those leaders and budding youngsters who demonstrated a commitment to sustainability, and that matters a lot to us,” Mohammed said. “Because with Reworld, our claim to fame is that we are the only company that manages waste in a sustainable manner.”
Reworld utilizes “infrastructure, technology and imagination to solve complex waste management challenges and help create a sustainable and more prosperous future for businesses and communities,” according to the company’s website.
Reworld was represented at the awards ceremony by Maureen Early, lead community relations specialist; Dawn Harmon, director of Long Island market; Adel Omrani, president of the East Region; and Lloyd Naideck, director of state government relations along with many other Reworld team members.
“We’re delighted to be able to honor all of these sustainability champions here tonight,” Early said. “So many of them have done so much in making Long Island a better place to live, work and play.”
Two young students were recognized for their sustainability efforts. Joseph Petraro, an 11-year-old who is a freshman at Louisiana State University, founded the Joe’s Be Kind Campaign, a nonprofit aimed at promoting positive social change, especially for vulnerable children. The initiative’s mission is to foster kindness, inclusivity and connections throughout communities, and to promote positive mental well-being.
“I used to get bullied when I was a lot younger,” Joseph said, “and I don’t want other people to feel that same way.”
He also started other initiatives, including the Clean Wells for Humanity program, which tackles global water scarcity, and the Adopt-a-Grandparent program, which fosters intergenerational bonds and promotes sustainable living practices. Joseph’s efforts to bring people together to help the environment made him a Student Champion for Sustainability Award winner.
Desiree Mohammadi, a 12-year-old student at South Woods Middle School, in Syosset, was honored for her initiative Seeds of Hope, which began when she saved the seeds from the vegetables in her family’s garden. Seeds of Hope has blossomed into a bigger movement, and Desiree has partnered with Island Harvest to plant seeds every spring at the nonprofit’s Healthy Harvest Farm in Brentwood.
“I think it’s a human right that people should be able to access fresh fruits and vegetables,” she said. Both student award winners were also presented with $2,500 to support their education or future sustainability projects.
Other honorees include Don Clavin, Town of Hempstead supervisor, and Rich Schaffer, Town of Babylon supervisor, who received Environmental Leader in Policy awards. They have each made efforts, working with Reworld, to improve sustainability and environmental efforts in their towns.
“It’s a great honor to be recognized by the Herald and by Reworld,” Schaffer said. “Reworld has been an excellent partner with the Town of Babylon, and it’s probably the main part of our solid waste infrastructure and how we deal with making sure the garbage leaves the curb and is dealt with correctly.”
Local community leaders were also recognized for their work. Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, works to protect natural resources and public health. She and her organization have taken on challenges such as upgrading failing sewage-treatment systems, protecting and filtering drinking and surface water and supporting large-scale renewable-energy projects in the interest of improving the environment.
“We really feel it’s our job to make sure Long Island is clean, safe and sustainable for now and in the future,” Esposito said.
Gregory Sandor, executive director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County, was honored as well, for the strides the organization has made during his 12 years of leadership. The group has earned grant funding for a number of its specialized programs, including renewable energy, sustainable food systems, urban forestry and youth development. Cornell Cooperative is currently working with Reworld to build a Dynamic Learning Center in East Meadow, with the goal of educating the public about sustainability issues.
“We’re always looking at sustainability issues and how to be more resilient,” Sandor said. “So it’s exciting to be a part of that, and be a part of this different group of leaders that are being recognized.”
As attendees mingled and celebrated the honorees, vendors offered their donated products, among them Barrier Brewing Co., Garvies Point Craft Brewery, Farrm Wines, Borghese Vineyard, Del Vino Vineyards, Loughlin Vineyard and Twisted Cow Distillery.
The Herald Sustainability Awards were a testament to the collective impact when leaders and advocates unite with a shared purpose. The inaugural event showed that commitment to sustainability is about leaving a lasting, positive imprint on the world for generations to come.
Tim Baker/Herald
Maureen Early and Dawn Harmon pose with Gerry Compitello, Janina Martinez, Greg Maxilla, Jassi Anand, and Doug Jacob accept award for Babylon Town Supervisor, Rich Schaffer.
Holden Leeds/Herald photos
Joseph Petraro (center) poses with his 2,500 check, joined by Dawn Harmon, Maureen Early, and former NFL player Justin Tuck.
James Wylie, Lorne Brousseau, and Garrett Chelius get recognized for their work with REACH Rotary Club.
Holden Leeds/Herald photos
Gregory M Sandor, executive director of Cornell Cooperative Extention Nassau County.
Citizens Campaign for the Environment Executive Director Adrienne Esposito.
Hempstead Town Supervisor Donald X. Clavin gets his award for establishing the first hydrogen fueling station on Long Island.
Michael Fiorentino, Natural Resource Program Director at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County.
Seatuck Environmental Executive Director Enrico Nardone proudly poses with his award.
Desiree Mohammadi (center) proudly poses with her $2,500 check, joined by former NY Rangers Mike Richter, Maureen Early and Dawn Harmon.
Island Harvest CEO and president Randi Shubin Dresner proudly poses with her award.
Stony Brook University student Esther Poon with their award.
Reworld CEO Azeez Mohammed gives welcoming remarks.
Jason Thomas/Herald
REACH Rotary Club honoree James Wylie playfully points out the towering height of former NFL star Justin Tuck as they pose together for a photo.
Lissette Pellegrino, celebrating her award for Environmental Stewardship.
Garrett Chelius receives his award for his work with REACH.
Operation SPLASH president Robert Weltner.
Thomas Powell accepts an award on Eric Swenson’s behalf to recognize his exceptional contributions.
