FREE Blast: November 2018

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 this month, as we see all the smiles on everyone’s faces, being appreciative of everything they have and everything we have accomplished together.

Respectfully,
Chris

Click HERE to download the poster-sized version!  

Long Island 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 FREE’s 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, Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. and more.  We are so happy to be able to participate in such an exciting event! Values of Integrity, Stewardship, Interdependence and Innovation

FREE Players Perform for Veterans at Nassau Coliseum
The FREE Players Ensemble performed at the Nassau Coliseum Thanksgiving Dinner for Veterans and their families. Values of Diversity and Innovation

Pronto Thanksgiving 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! Values of Integrity, Diversity, Responsiveness, and Quality
Saddle Rock Ranch Veterans Program Open House
Saddle Rock Ranch and Great Strides Long Island had an open house highlighting their Veterans programs. Various news outlets were on hand to hear about the opportunities the ranch provides. There were demonstrations by veterans in the programs and a tour of the property at Saddle Rock. Values of Integrity, Diversity, Responsiveness, Innovation and Quality

Mastic and Angela Ct help on Veterans Day
Groups from Angela Court and Mastic volunteered to do yard work for Jean a veteran Jean. She was referred to us by the NYS Division of Veterans Affairs and we reached out to set up a volunteer opportunity. What an amazing day for all. Values of Integrity, Diversity, and Responsiveness

DSW Thanksgiving Feast
Each year there is a Thanksgiving Feast held 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. Values of Integrity, Diversity, Responsiveness, Stewardship, Interdependence, Innovation and Quality

Pronto’s Annual Turkey Drive
Pronto hosted a 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. Values of Integrity, Diversity, Responsiveness, Stewardship, Innovation and Quality

Inter-Agency Board Meeting
FREE hosted their annual Inter-Agency Board Meeting. The board members from all corners of the FREE Network came together to learn about all of the wonderful advances we have made in the past year! Values of Integrity, Diversity, Responsiveness, Stewardship, Interdependence, Innovation and Quality

Annual Exclusive Attorney-Accountant Networking Mixer
The Attorneys and Accountants Joint Committee, in cooperation with Nassau Chapter of NYSSCPA and the Nassau County Bar Association, mingled and participated in fundraising for Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. They enjoyed a great dinner and performances by the FREE Ensemble. Values of Innovation and Quality

Stew Leonard’s Turkey Brigade
FREE was proud to be among those chosen by a panel of judges at Connoisseur Media of Long Island, after a nomination by the listeners of WKJY-FM, as the recipients of turkeys from Stew Leonard’s third annual Turkey Brigade in Farmingdale. The turkeys received by FREE were distributed to individuals in FREE’s Scattered Site Supportive Housing. The supportive housing program provides housing and support services to individuals with mental illness living in the community. Value of Responsiveness

FREE Choir Performs at Stew Leonard’s Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
In addition to the FREE Holiday Choir, Santa Claus made his first appearance of the season at Stew Leonard’s in East Meadow, when he arrived on a truck from the East Meadow Fire Department. Everyone enjoyed a variety of holiday songs performed by the FREE Holiday Choir, as well as by the Meadowbrook Elementary School Singers. Stew Leonard’s Team Members and Wow the Cow also provided refreshments. Values of Integrity, Diversity, Responsiveness, Stewardship, Interdependence, Innovation and Quality

Stefanie Russo was Interviewed by News 12 for “Text 911”
FREE was included in a News 12 LI TV report on Suffolk County’s new TEXT 911 initiative. Now people can TEXT 911 instead of calling in an emergency. One of the benefits of this new initiative is that it will help people who are nonverbal or have difficulty with communication. Stefanie Russo, FREE’s Advocacy Peer Mentor, was interviewed for the report. Values of Integrity, Responsiveness, Stewardship, Innovation and Quality

Speakers Bureau Workshop: Social Media & Cyber Security
The Speakers Bureau held a workshop titled “Social Media & Cyber Security”. The workshop was presented with the Advocacy Group at Community Mainstreaming Associates, Inc. (CMA). Values of Innovation and Quality

Thank You Rewards
FREE has been sharing with everyone the Thank You Rewards, showcasing the Valued Team Members who go above and beyond what is required of them. It is our honor to announce October’s nominees: Alberta Yeboah, Alexandra Silver-Thompson, Carla Williams, Janine Guzzo, Jeannine Hylander, Larissa Ferguson, Lisa Changchien, Lisa Vega, Malika Watlington-Wright, Meghan Leonhardt, Mytrell Latty, Renaudo Voltaire, Sheima Anozier, Tiffany Mason, Denzel Washington, Duane Thompson and Mildred Ungerer. These Valued Team Members have exhibited behavior that inspire all of us to go the extra mile. If you would like to nominate someone for a Thank You Reward, please contact Pat Hogan atPHogan@FamilyRes.org. Winners of a Thank You Reward receive a gift card and thank you card to show our appreciation. Values of Integrity, Diversity, Responsiveness, Stewardship, Interdependence, Innovation and Quality