November 23, 2022 Islip

Douglas Elliman’s Smithtown Office Celebrates The Gift Of Giving

For Douglas Elliman Realty—one of the largest residential brokerage companies in the nation, with more than $51 billion in national closed sales volume in 2021— giving back is core to the company culture and its brand identity. The firm is deeply committed to supporting the local communities it serves, along with important causes nationwide through its philanthropic initiative, Elliman Cares. More than 6,600 agents across the country are making a difference every day—and here on Long Island, where the company runs 25 residential sales offices, one especially giving-driven office is making a major impact this holiday season.

Centrally located on the North Shore of Long Island, Elliman’s Smithtown location is best known for its consistent success and carefully selected group of agents that take their careers and reputations seriously. Many of the agents are passionately involved in charitable endeavors, and this holiday season is the perfect time to shine the light on their efforts.

Katy Cardinale, Smithtown’s Branch Manager and Licensed Associate R.E. Broker, is a model of hard work, humility and generosity who inspires the same qualities in those around her. “Community service has always been a priority for me,” said Katy. “I’ve volunteered at Cub Scouts, PTA events and with local families in need. I also founded and currently serve as the President of the Kings Park High School Robotics Booster Association. It’s important for me to give back and be involved in my community. I’m grateful to be surrounded by generous agents who

Rob Scarito, Licensed Associate R.E. Broker on Team Scarito, currently serves as Vice President of the Hauppauge School Board. Rob said, “I am honored to have played an integral role in the passing of the largest tax discount for veterans in the Hauppauge School District.” Aside from making a difference right in Hauppauge, he and his sons participated in the Annual Food & Toy Drive at Brookhaven Town Hall on Sunday, November 13th, which benefited people from all over Long Island.

Noelle Lambert, Licensed R.E. Salesperson, is also holding a holiday drive with the Bryn Elliott Team now through December 19th to benefit the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless, an organization dedicated to reducing the number of people experiencing homelessness on Long Island. “I’m actively collecting non-perishable foods and personal care items, such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes and deodorant, that will be given to local individuals facing homelessness,” said Noelle. “It’s heartbreaking to think how each night, many of us head to our warm homes that are filled with more than we need, yet others right here on Long Island are battling homelessness. We have to continue to help these people.” If you would like to donate to this drive, please visit the Douglas Elliman Smithtown office and

drop your donations in the appropriate bin. You can also contact Noelle at 631-478-3819 for a full list of donation drop-off locations.

John Matthew, Licensed Associate R.E. Broker, is holding his annual Holiday Food Drive and Winter Coat Drive now through January 30, 2023—benefitting the Smithtown Emergency Food Pantry and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island. Elliman’s Smithtown office is receiving donation dropoffs, as well.

Also, in partnership with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, the office is hosting the annual Toys for Tots Holiday Toy Drive and is accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys in the specially marked Toys for Tots bin.

The giving keeps on keeping on with several Smithtown agents leading campaigns to raise awareness and funds for the causes close to their hearts. Carlos Salinas, Licensed R.E. Salesperson, is an Ambassador for Real Men Wear Pink, an annual, year-long initiative from The American Cancer Society. As an Ambassador, Carlos raises awareness

and money in the fight to end breast cancer. Although he has exceeded his fundraising goal for 2022, he continues to campaign because every dollar really does make a difference. You can donate to his campaign, online or by check, now through the end of the year. Please contact Carlos at 347-277-9431 for more information.

Margaret Remhild, Licensed Associate R.E. Broker, is a member of the Nesconset Chamber of Commerce and the St. James Chamber of Commerce, while also being involved with both the Smithtown Children’s Foundation and the Thomas Matthew Miloscia Foundation. On November 15th, the Smithtown Children’s Foundation held their Community Table Grand Tasting event at the Watermill Caterers in Smithtown, with proceeds going to help local families in crisis. On December 3rd, the Thomas Miloscia Foundation, a local organization with the mission to provide financial and emotional assistance to children and young adult cancer patients, will hold a fundraising event from 2-6PM at Maia Salon Spa & Wellness at 725

Smithtown Bypass in Smithtown. Come down for pictures with Santa, hot chocolate, holiday shopping, tinsel hair, children’s activities and more, all for a great cause!

Rounding out the volunteerism, Michelle Bender, Licensed R.E. Salesperson, happily volunteers at the Smithtown Historical Society, while Nick Albanese, Licensed Associate R.E. Broker, is an active volunteer at the Smithtown Booster Club. Noelle Lambert is a

loyal volunteer at Connect Church and Tom Diana donates his time as a volunteer at the Commack Basketball Association, an organization that’s dedicated to providing a basketball league that is free to join for boys and girls of Commack and its neighboring communities.

Please consider celebrating this holiday season by making a donation to one of the aforementioned drives— together we can help the season to shine brighter for those in need.

Douglas Elliman’s Smithtown location is at 200 W Main Street, in Smithtown. For more information, please call the office at 631.543.9400.

share my vision.”

PSEG Long Island EmployeeMilitary Veterans Shine A Light On PTSD And Veteran Suicide

SHINING A LIGHT ON PTSD AND VETERAN SUICIDE - A group of military veterans who are PSEG Long Island employees recently took to the water to raise awareness of mental health issues afflicting many veterans. The group was among 22 veterans participating in the fifth “22 PTSD Awareness Challenge” (22PAC) event, an arduous, 22-mile kayaking trip from Bridgeport, Conn. to Port Jefferson to help shine a light on veteran PTSD and end veteran suicide. Pictured (l-r): PSEG Long Island employee-military veterans Thomas Leuschner, Evan Rohman, Richard Rohman, Matthew Testagrose, Michael Probst, Devin McLaughlin, Michael Pira, Leo Tolson and Thomas Sketch after a 22-mile kayaking trip to increase awareness about PTSD and veteran suicide.

A group of military veterans who are PSEG Long Island employees recently took to the water to raise awareness of mental health issues afflicting many veterans. The group was among 22 veterans participating in the fifth “22 PTSD Awareness Challenge” (22PAC) event, an arduous, 22-mile kayaking trip from Bridgeport, Conn. to Port Jefferson to help shine a light on veteran PTSD and end veteran suicide.

In teams of two, the 22 veterans operated pedalpowered kayaks in a physically demanding, fivehour cross-Sound journey. The hot sun, humidity and headwinds made the trip that much more difficult.

The number 22 is significant for this event because it is the estimated number of military veterans who take their own lives each day.

Here’s what the employees had to say about the event:

Devin McLaughlin of East Moriches, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, participated for the second time this year.

“Some people I met in the service are no longer with us because they lost their battles with depression,” said McLaughlin. “In a small way, doing this ride helps me think of them and lets me know I’m doing my part for them and for other veterans facing challenges.”

Michael Probst and Tom Leuschner, both U.S. Army veterans, are co-workers and Holbrook residents who supported the cause this year.

“I did the 22 PAC for my brothers and sisters in the armed forces and to support a great cause,” said Probst.

“I hope this event helped to bring awareness to this issue because 22 veterans a day taking their own lives is completely unacceptable and preventable.”

“I was so proud to be a part of this great cause,” said Leuschner. “This is the least I could do for our veterans who have done so much for us.”

Tom Sketch of Seaford, a U.S. Navy veteran, was one of the kayakers.

“It’s a great event to bring awareness to the challenges veterans face

after their service is completed,” said Sketch. “It was a little more difficult than I thought it would be but we had beautiful weather and I am glad I was able to complete it!”

Matt Testagrose of Shoreham, a U.S. Army veteran, participated in the event.

“It was great to see my fellow veterans and coworkers come together to show support for PTSD awareness,” he said.

Leo Tolson, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran from Center Moriches, said, “The trip was exhausting but I wanted to do something to help raise awareness of how many veterans need help.”

PSEG Long Island is proud to count military veterans among its workforce. Its employees are dedicated to providing customers with safe, reliable power and also committed to the communities they serve by engaging in community service activities and raising funds to support and help their neighbors.

Thirteen Islip Seniors Set To Play College Sports

Thirteen Islip High School seniors committed to continuing their athletic careers at the collegiate level next fall, signing letters of intent during a Nov. 9 ceremony in the school cafeteria with their proud families looking on. The student-athletes who signed were Connor Dobson, who will play lacrosse at Pace University; Maggie Hayes, who is set to join the volleyball team at SUNY Cortland; Lars Heimlich, who is slated to play lacrosse at Fairfield University; Katelyn Hicks, who will play lacrosse at St. Bonaventure University;

Dylan McKenna, who is set to play baseball for Lockhaven University; Kenneth Pastrana, who will join the baseball team at Baruch College; Chase Rogers, who will play lacrosse for Yale University; Sarah Scheidel, who is set to play lacrosse at Pace University; George Trimigliozzi, who will play baseball at Manhattan College; Jack Trovato, who will join the lacrosse team at Dickinson College; Michael Zecchini, who will play lacrosse at Adelphi University; Brielle Zink, who is set to play soccer at the College of St. Rose; and

Riley Wallace, who will join the lacrosse team at Mercy College.

“I’m so very proud of all of you, and you should be very proud of yourselves because you worked hard, both academically and in sports,” Assistant Principal Lisa Ward said.

“We recognize your efforts and commitment to your sports, to your schools, to your coaches and to your families,” Athletic Director John Sparacio said. “You’re all going to play your sport at the next level, which is an amazing accomplishment. Congratulations to everyone.”

THIRTEEN

ISLIP SENIORS SET TO PLAY COLLEGE

SPORTS - (Top photo) Islip High School seniors Connor Dobson, Maggie Hayes, Lars Heimlich, Dylan McKenna, Kenneth Pastrana, Chase Rogers, Sarah Scheidel, Jack Trovato, Michael Zecchini, Brielle Zink and Riley Wallace signed letters of intent to play college athletics during a Nov. 9 ceremony. (Photo left) Islip High School seniors Katelyn Hicks and George Trimigliozzi. Photos courtesy of Islip School District

Stop & Shop’s Turkey Express Program

Benefits Long Island Food Banks

Stop & Shop donated 2,000 Thanksgiving turkeys to Island Harvest and Long Island Cares during the first intermission when the New York Islanders host the Calgary Flames at UBS Arena in Elmont. The Food Bank Presidents participated in the Stop & Shop Shoot-Out –attempting a center ice shot to secure their donations.

The donation of turkeys is part of Stop & Shop’s annual Turkey Express program which provides more than 25,000

turkeys to hunger relief organizations across the supermarket’s footprint.

As the official supermarket of the Islanders, Stop & Shop’s donation spotlights the increased need the Food Banks are facing going into the holiday season: Island Harvest Food Bank expects to collect and distribute 14,500 turkeys and tens of thousands of pounds of trimmings necessary to complete a holiday-style meal for Long Islanders coping with food insecurity.

Island Harvest Food Bank serves approximately 300,000 families at various times during the year.

Last year the food bank supplemented 18 million meals for Long Islanders struggling with food insecurity.

Across Long Island, more than 148,000 students are qualified to receive free or reduced-price school meals.

Free Online Writing Workshop

(NAPSI)—Famed science fiction authors and judges of the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future contest and professional instructors offer aspiring writers a free online writing workshop. Learn more at www. writersofthefuture.com/ register/online-workshop and bit.ly/WOTFWorkshop.

East Islip Diver Kelsey Kreuscher Wins County Championship

Helping You Help Others

The Charity of the Month for November is Association for Mental Health and Wellness

www.mhaw.org

The Association for Mental Health and Wellness (MHAW)offers a wide range of assistance to veterans in Suffolk County, home to more veterans than any county in the state. These offerings address affordable housing, medical and mental health assistance, peer support and other services.

In this article, we’ll look at Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF), an initiative in which MHAW collaborates with the Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk, Inc. SSVF programs provide housing and support services to eligible, low-income veteran families who are homeless, or who are about to become homeless.

Regrettably, America’s veterans require a number of support services. The National Library of Medicine recently estimated that up to 16 percent of U.S. service members who had been deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq now have post-traumatic stress disorder or depression. Their other health concerns include suicide, traumatic brain injury, substance use and instances of interpersonal violence.

While Long Island has made significant strides in addressing homelessness among veterans in recent years, “Suffolk County still has its population of homeless veterans,” said Marcelle Leis, a retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant who serves as MHAW’s Director of Veteran Services. “They’re living in train stations or they might be living in the woods. Yet even though they’re in need, these individuals often don’t trust government or community agencies enough to step forward and request assistance. And they often don’t feel safe going into shelters.”

Community-based resources like SSVF, says Ms. Leis, can make a major difference in these veterans’ lives by helping them deal with mental health

issues, poverty and their need for supportive systems.

Some SSVF services include personal financial

planning, credit counseling and income support services. Qualifying veterans may also obtain legal assistance, housing counseling and healthcare navigation.

In relation to employment, SSVF also offers vocational and rehabilitation services through the state’s Department of Labor Employment Training Assistance by way of Suffolk County’s One-Stop Employment Center.

Also, SSVF provides case management services, as well as peer support and outreach services through MHAW’s Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project. Veterans may also receive assistance obtaining VA and other public benefits though the Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency.

SSVF can also help veterans with temporary financial assistance in the form of rental assistance, utility bills, security or utility deposits, moving costs and childcare support. Eligible veterans may be single, or part of a family in which the head of the household, or spouse, is a veteran.

If you are a veteran in need, or you know of one, MHAW urges them to contact Marcelle Leis, their Director of Veteran Services, by calling 631-9460147 or by emailing her at mleis@mhaw. org. If

Clothing Donations Needed For Long Island Children

Ethical Friends of Children, a program helping needy families on Long Island, seeks clothing (tops, bottoms, pjs, sweaters and socks) in certain sizes. Specific sizes are: GIRLS: 3-4, 4-5 and 9-10 and BOYS: 7-8 and 9-10.

Ethical Friends of Children is an outreach

program of the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island., established in 1985. “We assist more than 2,500 children and their families each year by providing them clothing for children from newborn to size 12 as well as infant furniture at no cost,” says Pat Spencer of Port Washington. The “store” – staffed entirely by

volunteers – lets families pick out the things they need, at no cost to them. Those interested in making contributions of clothing or gift cards, should call Ethical Friends of Children at 516-2805526 or email efoc@ehsli. org

Thirty Islip High School Seniors Earn AP Scholar Designation

The College Board recently recognized 30 current Islip High School seniors for achieving AP Scholar designations for 2022, a result of their diligent work in succeeding at college-level AP courses and exams. The Advanced Placement Program recognizes several different award levels.

Fifteen students – Trevor Barnes, Ryan Bucco, Ahdalia Davies, Gabriella Flora, Kelly Flynn, Myles Freelin, Rachael Keyes, Stephen Plotke, Christopher Puhle, Stella Reagan, Chase Rogers, Sara Sentochnik, Emilio Shahib, Faith Theobald and Riley Wallace – were named AP Scholars, granted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams.

Four students – Abigail Alfano, Rebecca Elie,

Maggie Hayes and Olivia Piazzolla – received AP Scholars with Honor designations, granted to those students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.

Eleven students –Connor Autera, Leah Bell, Nelson Chan, Jhey Dizon, Aidan Ferrera, Kayley Guzman Morales, Jessica Hagihara, Madelynn Lang, Kacey Schassberger, Katelyn Wallace and Brielle Zink –were named AP Scholars with Distinction, granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.

Additionally, eight Islip students – Connor Autera, Leah Bell, Nelson Chan, Jhey Dizon, Aidan Ferrera, Jessica Hagihara,

Emilio Shahib and Brielle Zink – earned AP Capstone Diplomas, and 13

students – Abigail Alfano, Ahdalia Davies, Andrew Dromerhauser, Rebecca

Elie, Maggie Frazer, Myles Freelin, Kayley Guzman Morales, Maggie Hayes, Lila

Kiernan, Olivia Piazzolla, Stephen Plotke, K

Holiday Bazaar & Luncheon

The ECW of St. Mark’s Church will hold its annual Holiday Bazaar & Luncheon on Saturday Dec. 3rd from 9:30am - 3:00pm at 754

Montauk Highway, Islip, NY (adjacent to Rt.111).

Holiday crafts, ornaments, baked goods, wreaths, vintage items, jewelry items, gifts, raffles and

much more.  Homemade soup, sandwiches, hot dogs and desserts served. And a visit from Santa Claus !!!

For Details call 631-5814950 or 516-459-2976

Bravo Foxtrot United Veterans Inc.

Bravo Foxtrot United Veterans Inc. is a new non-profit charitable organization that provides aid to our local homeless veterans. They provide

temporary housing as well as holistic therapy, in hopes to ease their transition for when they reunite with their loved ones and communities.

Clothing donations are graciously accepted. For additional information visit www.bravofoxtrot.org.

Mechanical Engineer wanted by Flexographic Printing Company in Hauppauge, NY. Will oversee preparation of all production orders at a exographic printing company. Check for food safety & quality issues throughout the production line. Insure the mfg team’s compliance w/ the company’s high quality stds. Monitor the workforce for compliance w/ internal & external Good Manufacturing Practices. Ensure the company’s Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures are being followed on the production line. Routinely update the company’s quality mgmt s/ware to avoid production interruptions. Train less knowledgeable members of the team. Reqmts: Bach deg in Mechanical Engg or closely rltd eld, & 12 yrs of exp in the job o d or closely rltd. Forward resume to: Silvia Avila, HR/ SQF Practitioner, Aladdin Packaging LLC, 115 Engineers Rd, Hauppauge, NY 11788

BUYING? SELLI NG? RENTING? Place your ad in the Classifieds. 631-226-2636 Ext. 276

THINKING ABOUT ADVERTISING YOUR BUSINESS and not sure how to get started? Call today and one of our experienced Sa les Representatives will assist you. We c an help you with a lin e ad or a di splay ad. Let us at SOUTH BAY'S NEIGHBOR NEWS PAPE RS set up an adv ertising program for you. Y ou'll be glad you di d! Call 631-226-2636, ext. 276

THINKING ABOUT ADVERTISING YOUR BUSINESS and not sure how to get started? Call today and one of our experi enced Sa les Representatives will assist you. We c an help you with a lin e ad or a di splay ad. Let us at SOUTH BAY'S

NEIGHBOR NEWS PAPE RS set up an adv ertising program for you. Y ou'll be glad you di d! Call 631-226-2636, Ext. 276

Small business owners no doubt recognize the value of repeat customers, but few may recognize just how valuable such customers

The Value Of Repeat Customers

can be to their bottom lines. A study from researchers at Harvard Business School found that a customer’s eighth purchase was an average

of 80 percent higher than his or her first purchase. In addition, a survey from the strategic planning, marketing and sales consultants

Altfeld, Inc. found that the probability of selling to an existing customer is between 60 and 70 percent, while that probability shrinks to as

low as 5 percent for new customers. Customer retention strategies like offering superior customer service and seeking input from

customers can help small businesses generate more repeat customers, which can greatly improve their chances for long-term success.