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Freeport Ninja Academy earns $25,000 grant By MoHAMMAD RAFIQ mrafiq@liherald.com
Courtesy Optimum Business
Optimum Business Long Island Association Foundation leaders as well as Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman joined staff at Freeport Ninja Academy to present a ceremonial $25,000 check. Luis Vazquez, left, president of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Matt Cohen, president of the LIA; Andrew Rainone, Optimum’s senior vice president of business-to-business national sales; Kathryn Gawrych, owner of Freeport Ninja Academy; Blakeman; and Jen Ostrager, Altice’s senior vice president of government affairs.
Freeport Ninja Academy celebrated a major win for the local business community on Sept. 10, when it was announced as one of two grand prize recipients in the second annual LOCAL Small Business Grants program, hosted by Optimum Business and the Long Island Association Foundation. The Freeport training facility was awarded $25,000 in funding to enhance its gym and make overdue upgrades to equipment that has seen wear and tear since the coronavirus pandemic, as well as $5,000 for marketing purposes. The facility offers semester-based classes and training for children, starting at age 5, as well as adults, focusing on obstacle courses and physical fitness challenges inspired by NBC’s “American Ninja Warrior.” Its aim is to help users of all ages and skill levels build strength, confidence and community through CONtINuEd ON pAGE 13
Volunteer fair headed to recreation center on Sept. 18 By MoHAMMAD RAFIQ mrafiq@liherald.com
The inaugural Freeport Volunteer Fair — an exciting initiative aimed at fostering community engagement and altruism — is set to take place at the Freeport Recreation Center at 130 E Merrick Road on Sept. 18 from 6:30 – 8:30p.m. Spearheading the fair is Nassau County Legislator Debra Mulé, who drew inspiration from a similar event that has been held in Oceanside for the past three years. “I thought it was such a great idea because it puts organizations that are in need of
volunteers and people, who want to volunteer who might not know about different organizations, together,” Mulé said. “So I thought, let’s do that in Freeport. And so we’re giving it a try.” The fair is designed as a “one-stop shopping” experience, allowing attendees to explore a variety of organizations in which to volunteer their services and find opportunities that best match their skills and interests. “I think people want to help their communities,” the legislator added. “Sometimes they just don’t know where to go to do that.”
I
think people want to help their communities.
DEBRA Mulé Nassau County Legislator Some of the organizations scheduled to attend the fair to solicit volunteers are Bethany House, an organization that provides shelter and support to vulnerable individuals, such as h o m e l e s s f a m i l i e s, s i n g l e women, victims of domestic violence, and others in need; Hangout One Happy Place, a
nonprofit dedicated to bringing together young adults of all abilities through art, dance and fitness classes; Hewlett House, a community learning resource center for cancer patients and their families that has been serving Long Island for 28 years; and the Girl Scouts of Nassau County and the Boy Scouts.
Supported by fellow county legislators Seth Koslow and Judy Griffin, as well as State Sen. Siela Bynoe and Freeport Village, the event aims to become an annual tradition, s t re n g t h e n i n g c o m m u n i t y bonds and promoting a culture of volunteerism in Freeport. Bynoe, co-sponsor of the CONtINuEd ON pAGE 7