FREE Blast – November

Hello All,

November portrays how we come together to meet the needs of the people we support and the unmet needs of the community. It is suiting that Thanksgiving is one of the focal points of this month, as we can see all the smiles on so many everyone’s faces and appreciate what we have collectively accomplished.

Respectfully,

Christopher

FREE BLAST – November 2019

Lenz Wine Art Label Unveiling

On Wednesday, November 13^th, FREE unveiled their latest collaboration with The LENZ Winery, a wine label featuring art designed by Doretta Waterman, an artist supported by FREE.  The piece, entitled “Unicorn with Wings”, is featured on a 2015 Cabernet Franc.  Joining FREE and LENZ at the unveiling were New York State Assemblyman Montesano, Macey Reichel, from LENZ, Michael Leahy, FREE Board President, artists from FREE plus team members from FREE. The LENZ Winery, one of Long Island’s oldest and most prestigious North Fork vineyards, has been a longtime supporter of FREE. They have hosted several fine art exhibitions for the artists of FREE, with the proceeds of any artwork sold benefiting the artists and FREE’s many programs.  “Unicorn with Wings” is part of a larger collection called “To Fly” which was on exhibit at The LENZ winery this past summer.

Fight For Charity

Long Island Fight for Charity, the nation’s only all-volunteer charity boxing event, was held at the Hilton Long Island, where Valued Team Members volunteered their time. It is one of the most anticipated events in the region, attracting over 1,000 fans and supporters. It is the only program in the world where local businesspeople step in the boxing ring to raise funds for charity. Long Island corporations, small businesses, professionals, community leaders and food service companies support the Fight for Charity mission through sponsorships and donations. Since 2002, over 300 volunteer boxers have participated in Fight for Charity and over $1 million has been raised for local charities including Long Island Community Chest, Genesis School, National Foundation for Human Potential (FREE) and more.

PRONTO Thanksgiving Food Distribution – Monday Nov 25th

Pronto hosted their Annual Holiday Feed the Hungry Meal Packaging event at their Bayshore headquarters. The event benefited some of the most vulnerable children and families living in Brentwood, Bay Shore, Central Islip and neighboring communities.

Wanda & Wheelie Buddies

Wanda supported by FREE sews “Wheelie Buddies” for seniors. “Wheelie Buddies” attach to walkers and wheelchairs for senior citizens. They use the 4 pockets to carry glasses, money, phones, and other items giving them easy access while freeing up their hands. Such a great thing to help others that even News12 came to check it out!

Pronto Community Breakfast

Pronto hosted their Annual Thanksgiving Breakfast at Bella Verde Restaurant in Brentwood. The morning included delicious food and was a great networking opportunity for those who wanted to learn more about all of the great things Pronto does for their community!

Thanksgiving Feast at DSW Hauppauge

Every year we celebrate our Thanksgiving Feast at Day Services West in Hauppauge. It is a great collaboration between Santander Bank and The Plotnick Family who have been helping create this great event for years. Along with the countless FREE team members who volunteer every year, this event is a great day for all involved.

The FREE Players Drum and Bugle Corps Goes to PASIC!

The FREE Players Drum and Bugle Corp set out to Indianapolis, Indiana to compete in the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) and achieved One of the biggest accomplishments in our Corps 10 year history! We defeated two groups without disabilities in DrumLineBattle and became the Champions of our division! We advanced to the Championship Finals for the 1st time ever and came in 2nd Place overall!

Waves Day of Beauty

November 19th was a “Day of Beauty”! FREE in partnership with Waves Salon Smithtown and Freedom Solutions provided haircuts, hair color and makeup at no charge to the men and women that FREE supports. Thank you to the amazing artists at Waves for their kindness and participation. There is nothing more important than making others feel good about themselves!!

Skills Unlimited Beautification Day

We are often reminded of the great partnerships we form with many companies on Long Island.  Our friends at JM2 Architecture joined with FREE employees and participants in the Skills Maintenance program for a beautification project. It was a great day that added mulch, flower beds and cleaned up leaves and weeds around the property.

10th Annual Bocce Game!

FREE Lighting Bocce Team vs. the FREE Facilities Department played their 10^th Annual Bocce Game. After the game they all had dinner together to give thanks for building and maintaining the Bocce Court at Sipp Ave.  They had to play indoors due to the cold weather but a great time was had by all!