Chamber celebrates 25th anniversary with gala, good works

BY RIKKI MASSAND

With many of its past presidents, board members and local elected officials in attendance, the Syosset Woodbury Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 25th anniversary with a gala evening on Tuesday, May 23, in Woodbury. Chamber President and a 23-year Syosset resident Russell P. Green led the event, with over 100 attendees.

addressed the gala audience in The Mansion at Oyster Bay on May 23. He praised the Syosset Woodbury Chamber for the work it performs and spoke about the donation to the St. Edward’s Food Pantry, which continues its partnership with Island Harvest. He said it will be very helpful in feeding those in the community who are in need. Father Maffeo also mentioned that ongoing food contributions are always greatly appreciated.

The Plainview Water District (PWD) recently hosted Girl Scouts of Nassau County Troop 3249 to learn more about the water supply, treatment processes and water conservation.

“The Plainview Water District remains dedicated to engaging with and educating students throughout Plainview-Old Bethpage,” said PWD Commissioner Marc Laykind. “We are always happy to provide tours and educational tools to groups like the Girl Scouts, especially because they are the future of the POB community. Teaching them the importance of water and the impact that their personal consumption habits can have is an incredibly important task.”

Lead by Plainview Water District Commissioners Marc Laykind, Andrew Bader and Michael Chad as well as Superintendent Stephen Moriarty, the girls were taken on a tour of one of the District’s well-pumping and treatment facilities, at which the scouts had an opportunity to ask questions about their drinking water. In addition, the group participated in a classroom session to discuss the hydrological water cycle, water conservation and how water is treated.

“We enjoy spending time with our local Girl Scout troops and teaching them the important work the District does to help protect our most precious natural resource,” said PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader. “Troop 3249 showed outstanding interest

See page 12

“Thanks to Tami Racaniello, Alan Goldberg and everyone else on the Gala Committee, the Syosset Woodbury Chamber was able to raise $2,100 each for the food pantry at St. Edward’s Church and the Rudman Food Pantry at the Mid-Island Y JCC. Helping those in need in our community is one of the goals of the Chamber, and the funds raised at the Gala will help that effort,” he said.

Gail Warrack, director of volunteer services for the Mid Island Y JCC, spoke on behalf of the JCC and Rudman Food Pantry team as well as MIYJCC Executive Director Rick Lewis. She thanked the chamber and its members for supporting the food pantry, especially during the pandemic. The Rudman Pantry began serving Long Islanders eight years ago.

Father Mike Maffeo, pastor of St. Edward the Confessor Church on Jackson Avenue in Syosset,

Eight of the past presidents in the Chamber’s 25 years serving greater Syosset, Woodbury and Long Island’s north shore were able to attend at the Mansion at Oyster Bay.

“The Syosset Woodbury Chamber of Commerce was honored to have acknowledged the efforts of all the former presidents who have led this great organization over the past 25 years,” Green said. He too was honored with an introduction delivered by his two daughters.

TOBAY Supervisor Saladino presented an official Town Proclamation for all the past chamber presidents who were honored for the 25th anniversary. Chamber Board member Tami Racaniello and Chamber Board’s longtime Membership Chair, Alan I. Goldberg, served as the co-chairs for the event. During the evening they announced many activities for

See page 12