Keep Safe This Halloween Season With These Tips from Local Personal Injury Law Firm Cohen & Jaffe

October 23, 2017 by Christopher Boyle

by Christopher Boyle

LONG ISLAND, NY – Halloween has always represented one of the most fun-filled times of the year for many youth, but unfortunately, it also represents a period of both danger and avoidable injuries when the time-honored traditions of trick-or-treating and costumes are not approached with a degree of caution and care as well. There are a great number of issues that can rear their ugly heads during Halloween, and it only takes a split-second error or distraction to result in unfortunate circumstances and serious injury for a child simply out to have fun.

There are a number of time-worn safety tips to adhere to come Halloween, courtesy of law firm Cohen and Jaffe and their years of experience in the realm of personal injury lawsuits. While parents want to keep in mind that Halloween is meant to be a fun and frightening experience for youngsters, taking heed of these simple guidelines will drastically reduce the chances of bumps, bruises, or worse while infringing on the excitement as little as possible.

Halloween Season Tips Trick-or-treating can make for a great time, but it also can expose children to a number of properties, homes, and individuals they are unfamiliar with; with unknown can come danger if caution is not taken. Photo credit: Pixabay.

Trick-or-Treat with an Adult: Encounters with strangers can be a major issue when engaging in Halloween festivities, so children ages 12 and under should never go out alone on Halloween for trick-or-treating; they should always have a responsible adult walking with them at all times, especially if they venture into a neighborhood that is unfamiliar. Children older than 12 that are allowed to trick-or-treat should nonetheless adhere to common sense safety practices, including remaining in neighborhoods that they know, staying in a group, and sticking to well-lit areas.

The hazards posed by strangers cannot be overstated; older children and some adults are known to be pranksters on Halloween, and there are numerous reports of frightened children suffering an injury while fleeing from a particularly bad scare, even one made in simple jest. In addition, the Halloween season also gives rise to the number of incidents involving both bullies and predators, many of whom prey upon the younger set, so remaining with a responsible adult at all times (or a group of friends or guardians if an order child) is a must for kids when it comes to playing it safe on Halloween.

Exercise Traffic Safety: With the excitement that comes with Halloween may also come a moment of neglect or carelessness; when this happens in an area with a high concentration of automobiles, that’s a recipe for disaster. Always cross streets at corners while using traffic signals ad crosswalks, and make sure to look left, right, and left again before crossing. Cell phones and other electronic devices should be put away so as to not distract attention and eyesight elsewhere when crossing any roadway, and making eye contact with stopped drivers before venturing out into the street is highly recommended. Always remain on sidewalks and pathways, and remain vigilant for cars that may be backing up out of driveways.

Make Sure Costumes are Both Creative and Safe: Be it a store-bought costume or something home-made, costumes are a major staple of the Halloween season. However, care should be put into making sure that they do not represent a danger to your children by interfering with their vision or mobility when they head out for an evening of Trick-or-Treating with friends or family members. If possible, decorate costumes or treat bags – which should be light in color, if possible – with reflective decals or tape so that they stand out to approaching motorists; in addition, glow sticks are helpful as well. Masks can obstruct a child’s vision, making it hard for them to see vehicles and other potential threats; face paint makes a festive and safer alternative. And finally, sizing when it comes to costumes is vital; one that is too big can present a tripping or falling hazard, and one that is too small can restrict mobility when it’s needed most.

Distracted Driving: Now more than ever, drivers are faced with a plethora of distractions while driving; cell phone calls, texting, and GPS use are among the many every-day things that may pry concentration away from the roadway and are to be avoided at all costs. However, add in the additional issues that driving during the Halloween season may present – including elaborately decorated homes, front-yard parties, and groups of people sporting eye-catching costumes – the odds of a potential accident are increased exponentially. It is the responsibility of drivers to remain cognizant of the road and everything in it at all times while not engaging in unlawful distractions such as cell phone use; likewise, it is the responsibility of parents to make sure that their children are properly supervised and exercise good traffic safety sense.

Drivers should drive slowly in residential neighborhoods come Halloween time, as kids can often move with unpredictability; also take extra time stopping at stop signs and intersections, as well as when entering and exiting driveways and alleys. Popular trick-or-treating hours are typically between 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours.

Animal Encounters: Last but not least, trick-or-treating can make for a great time, but it also can expose children to a number of properties, homes, and individuals that they are unfamiliar with; and with the unknown can come danger if caution is not taken. While most homeowners are well-meaning, the frequency that doors open and close while tending to young trick-or-treaters can result in a family pet – such as a dog, who may react negatively to a perceived trespasser – if getting loose, the results could be a painful animal bite or worse, so children and their parents or guardians should always be wary about approaching an unknown house, and they should never go near or pet a dog or other animal that they do not personally know. According to reports, over 800,000 people every year – nearly half of that number being children – suffer from animal bites that result in a trip to the doctor at Halloween time.

Hurt During Halloween? Contact Our Team of Personal Injury Attorneys: Above all else, Halloween should be a source of family-friendly excitement and wonder for kids and adults of all ages, and by adhering to our aforementioned common sense safety tips, you should keep your risk of any issues at a minimum. However, should you become hurt or injured through no fault of your own – or the neglect, indifference, or willful act of another – while out enjoying the Halloween holiday, call the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP at 1-866-878-6774 now or fill out our simple form for a free consultation.

Museum of American Armor Announces Lawrence Trivigno of Bethpage Federal Credit Union Appointed to Board

April 11, 2017 by Christopher Boyle

(Long Island, NY) President and founder of the Museum of American Armor, Lawrence Kadish, has announced that Lawrence Trivigno, Assistant Vice President of Business Development for Bethpage Federal Credit Union, has been appointed to serve on the museum’s board. He joins former New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, Ed Blumenfeld of BDG, Ltd., Michael Polimeni of Polimeni International, Frederick Daum of PSEG Long Island, Michael Sapraicone of Squad Security, Steve Napolitano of Amtrust Title Insurance Company, Rev. Calvin Butts, president of SUNY at Old Westbury, and Reese Dameron, Esq., an attorney with the New York law firm of Boies Schiller Flexner LLP.

Lawrence Trivigno. Photo Credit: Jim Lennon.

Lawrence is a graduate of SUNY Farmingdale with a degree in Computer Programming & Information Systems and is currently pursuing an additional degree in communications. A Deer Park resident, he is active in a broad range of volunteer organizations that underscore his personal commitment to worthy causes and the support his employer, Bethpage Federal Credit Union, offers to organizations across the region.

Museum trustee Michael Sapraicone stated, “Lawrence and Bethpage Federal Credit Union (BFCU) represent the powerful corporate commitment our region has to honoring the courage and valor of our veterans. We are delighted to welcome him to the board so that we may be assured of continuing to expand our role as a destination for families to learn more about their own citizen soldiers and to serve as an educational center for our thousands of annual visitors.”

Mr. Trivigno said, “I am deeply honored to be associated with a museum that has breathed life into our American military heritage and the family history of so many New Yorkers. I believe we have a responsibility to keep their individual stories alive and this institution has effectively harnessed armor vehicles for the purpose of achieving that goal. Having participated in one of its programs I know firsthand just how effective it is in fulfilling its mission, and I look forward to building on that success.”

The Museum of American Armor at Old Bethpage Village Restoration, 1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage, is a living tribute to every American who has worn the uniform and those who continue to defend our nation today. Its collection includes World War II tanks, artillery, armored cars and weapons that broke the back of the Axis powers over seventy years ago.

It is open Wednesday through Sunday, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults; $8 for children 5 – 12 (under 5 admitted free); and $8 for seniors, volunteer firefighters and veterans. Admission provides visitors with access to both the armor museum and the adjacent Old Bethpage Village Restoration. More information can be found at www.museumofamericanarmor.org and on Facebook.

Supporters Attend 20th Annual Friends Of The Farm Northport Barn Dance for Lewis Oliver Farm

April 21, 2016 by Cognac Wellerlane

It was a hee haw of good time as local residents of Northport, Huntington and Suffolk County gathered together for The 20th Annual Friends of The Farm Northport, New York Barn Dance on April 16, 2016 at the St. Philip Neri Parish Center in Northport, New York.

This festive event featured an assortment of great food from local cuisines, beer, wine, soda, coffee, dessert, door prizes and raffles.

Cognac with volunteer Lynn Rovolo.

Advance tickets were $50 per person, and tickets were $60 per person at the door. Friends of the Farm is a not-for-profit volunteer group, so all the proceeds made from the event go directly to feeding & caring for the sweet animals at Lewis Oliver Farm, and towards preserving the farm.

Before the event got started I was happy to sit down with the Founder Pam Veitch.

Cognac: Welcome back darlings, I am Cognac Wellerlane and I am here at the 20th Annual Northport Friends of the Farm Barn Dance and I am here with the founder of this wonderful organization that most of the proceeds are going to be donated towards. Introduce yourself to the camera.

Pam: Hi, good afternoon. My name is Pam Veitch. I am the founder of Friends of The Farm. We started some twenty-five years ago.

Twenty-five years.

Pam: Between twenty and twenty-five. I don’t know the exact date because time flies but we started as a small grass roots organization to help feed the animals at the Lewis Oliver Farm when it was privately owned and then when the owners decided to see the property we kicked into high gear and actually was able to get the Town of Huntington, Suffolk County and Northport Village to purchase the farm and we are the managing agents of the property to this date.

Why do you have such a passion for this?

Pam: Where did my passion come from? Passion came from… I was a mother of four small children and we lived in the area. We used to walk up to the farm all the time and admire the animals and I thought it was such a wonderful thing to be able to have these barnyard animals right here in our backyard… something that kids don’t really get to see anymore locally.

Now this event has been going on for twenty years, wow that long… the community has been doing this for twenty years.

Friends of the Farm Auction Items

Pam: It is a great fundraiser. We do it once a year. I am now one of the caterers of this event tonight. We have great donations. My children own 51 Broadway Greenlawn Deli, and Copenhagen Bakery donates food. Maroni Cuisine donates food, and Nocello’s in Northport.

What are we going to be eating here tonight?

Pam: Oh my goodness. We have a whole bunch of stuff. We have split pea soup, sauteed brussel sprouts… we have a couple of vegan salads, eggplant rolotini, famous Maroni meatballs, some pasta dishes. There is something for everybody I am sure.

Sounds delish. What are your goals for this new year coming up for the farm?

Pam: Actually I am the out going President. I have been the President since the onset and last year I had asked for somebody else to step us because my life has been taking a turn. Another turn, another chapter and I am not really able to give the organization as much time as I would have in the past so I kind of took a back seat and a step down and some other great volunteers have stepped up and the organization still goes on and I come back to do their food.

Tell my audience where we can go to find out more information. What is the website?

Pam: The website is LewisOliverFarm.org.

Cognac with volunteer Kelly Tenny.

The historic Lewis Oliver Farm, located in Northport Village, NY, is a cherished community landmark dating back to the 1800’s. Once a working dairy, the farm is now home to Annabelle the cow, Tiny the pig, Ezra and Onyx the alpacas and friends including goats, sheep, geese, chickens, ducks, turkeys, peacocks, bunnies and cats.

Generations of families and friends from within and around the community continue the tradition of visiting the farm where they can spend time with the animals, browse through the Lewis Oliver Country Store and enjoy this uniquely special piece of Northport’s history.

The farm was privately owned up until 2007 when it was jointly purchased by the Town of Huntington and Suffolk County as a means to preserve it. The farm is managed by the volunteer members of Friends of the Farm and through their efforts, has remained opened for all to enjoy with no admission fees of any kind.

The farm is open 365 days a year, 7 days a week from dawn to dusk. The Lewis Oliver Country Store is open from early Spring to late Fall on Saturdays and Sundays between 10am-4pm.

‘Turbulence’ Debuts At Farmingdale’s Adventureland; Officially Opens for Business Memorial Day Weekend

May 19, 2015 by Christopher Boyle

LONG ISLAND, NY – Farmingdale’s Adventureland is set to encounter Turbulence; however, unlike on an airplane, this is the kind of Turbulence that people will definitely want to experience first-hand.

Turbulence is an exciting and new roller coaster attraction set to debut at Adventureland on Memorial Day Weekend 2015, at which time the thrill-seeking public will get a truly one-of-a-kind experience, according to the Farmingdale-based amusement park’s manager, Steven Gentile.

“Turbulence replaces our previous coaster, The Hurricane, which had been in the park for 22 years,” he said. “We felt it was time for Adventureland and Long Island to have something special, and I think that we delivered with Turbulence.”

Turbulence, an exciting new roller coaster attraction set to debut at Adventureland on Memorial Day Weekend 2015. Photo credit, Christopher Boyle, LongIslandExchange.com

Steven and Joe Gentile (L to R): Steven and Paul Gentile, Adventureland Park Managers at Adventureland’s special press preview of Turbulence on May 18, 2015; Photo credit, Christopher Boyle, LongIslandExchange.com

The main idea behind Turbulence, Gentile said, was to create a new ride for Adventureland that was more accessible to families and yet retained a sense of unbridled excitement for those seeking an adrenaline rush; once you have laid eyes upon Turbulence’s 1,210 feet of yellow and green track, with its impressive array of three banking turns and one immelman turn, its easy to see that they have succeeded in achieving that goal.

However, Gentile explained what it is that makes Turbulence, which reaches 55 feet tall at its highest point and has a top speed of 45 miles per hour, truly unique among its amusement park ride brethren.

“The idea behind Turbulence is that you’re getting a different ride experience every time,” he said. “Each car is spinning independently of each other, and how they spin is different each time depending on who is sitting in the car and how much they weigh. There are three cars per train, and there are two trains, each weighing five tons apiece.”

Turbulence replaces the previous coaster, The Hurricane, which had been in the park for 22 years. There are three cars per train, and there are two trains, each weighing five tons apiece. Photo credit, Christopher Boyle, LongIslandExchange.com

Each car of Turbulence spins independently of each other with how they spin different each time depending on the weight of each passenger. Photo credit, Christopher Boyle, LongIslandExchange.com

Gentile and his crew conducted a great deal of research when initially looking to replace the park’s long-standing Hurricane ride, and to that end they found themselves traveling a great deal; first to California, where they tested out a coaster similar in concept to Turbulence, and then all the way to Germany, where famed roller coaster manufacturer Mack Rides constructed Adventureland’s newest addition, shipped it over to Farmingdale in pieces, and finally oversaw it’s assembly.

A brutal winter delayed construction the Turbulence project, pushing back the original opening date by six weeks, but in the end, after all the time and effort and expense, Gentile said that the end result was more than worth it.

Famed roller coaster manufacturer Mack Rides constructed Adventureland’s newest addition Turbulence in Germany where it was then shipped over to Farmingdale in pieces. Photo credit, Christopher Boyle, LongIslandExchange.com

“Turbulence has been a two-and-a-half year project, and the cost was close to $5 million, which usually not normal for a park of our size to make such an investment,” he said. “However, we planned properly with ride companies, planned financially properly, and we are very excited that we were able to do this for ourselves and for Long Island.”

The very first members of the public who will get to experience Turbulence when the ride officially opens for business on Friday, May 22, at 2 p.m. will be winners from the First Ride for a Cause contest and an auction hosted by Cox Media and Adventureland’s Helping Hands Foundation, with the proceeds benefiting the Long Island Chapter of the juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Nassau Suffolk Services for Autism.

A brutal winter delayed construction the Turbulence project, pushing back the original opening date by six weeks. Turbulence officially opens for business on Friday, May 22, at 2 p.m. Photo credit, Christopher Boyle, LongIslandExchange.com

Turbulence Adventureland is located at 2245 Broadhollow Road in Farmingdale, NY. Photo credit, Christopher Boyle, LongIslandExchange.com

While members of the press were not allowed to ride the new roller coaster at Adventureland’s special press preview of on May 18, Turbulence was initially run with empty cars to give attendees an idea of the excitement and fun the public has in store for them come Memorial Day Weekend; however, a few lucky employees of the park were allowed to give the coaster the proverbial whirl, and the reviews were indeed glowing.

“I’ve never been on something like that before, honestly,” said Chris Mule of Levittown. “It was really cool and fun, and really smooth…when you were spinning, it was just a great experience.”

Matt Liguori of Babylon said that he’s a connoisseur of coasters, and that Turbulence easily ranks up there with the very best of them.

“It was really awesome compared to some of the other rides I’ve been on,” he said. “The whole factor that it spins all of the time…it offers a completely different experience every time. If you look at it, it doesn’t seem all that fast, but when you’re on it, it’s just a completely different feel. It’s amazing.”

Adventureland is located at 2245 Broadhollow Road in Farmingdale, NY. Visit their website at www.adventureland.us.

National Meningitis Association GIVE KIDS A SHOT! Gala at the Pierre Hotel in Manhattan on April 27, 2015

May 5, 2015 by Cognac Wellerlane

LONG ISLAND, NY – Supporters attended the National Meningitis Association GIVE KIDS A SHOT! Gala at the Pierre Hotel in Manhattan on April 27, 2015. I had the opportunity to interview Chair Gary Springer from Springer Associates PR. Mr. Springer’s son was stricken with meningococcal disease at the age of fourteen. Luckily he did survive but all his limbs were amputated. His public relation firm Springer Associates PR has and continues to manage a wide and diverse clientele ranging from theatre and film to personalities and events.

Under John Springer, SPRINGER ASSOCIATES represented many theatre, film and television personalities including Al Pacino, Mia Farrow, Ed Harris, Myrna Loy, Shelley Winters, Sally Kirkland, Dustin Hoffman, Lauren Bacall, Jamie Sheridan, Maureen Stapleton, Harry Belafonte, Carrie Fisher, Robert Merrill, Janet Leigh, Maureen O’Sullivan, Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, Henry Fonda, Marilyn Monroe, Montgomery Clift, Marlene Dietrich, Robert Preston, Bette Davis, Warren Beatty, Julie Christy, Joan Crawford and many, many others. I was fortunate to talk to Gary and to learn more about meningococcal disease. Below is our interview:

Welcome back darlings, I am Cognac Wellerlane and we are here at the Pierre Hotel for the National Meningitis Gala, “Give the Kids a Shot,” and I am here with Chair Gary Springer. He has many stories that he can tell us right now, right here at this gala. Tell my audience how many galas have we gone through so for now?

Gary: This is our seventh and we just have been growing every year. I mean its just a wonderful organization, This is an annual linch-pin that propels us for the following year. It’s always been successful. It’s always been successful. It’s always been fun and its always been poignant.

Tell my audience for those that are unaware what is this event really all about.

Gary: Well Meningitis is a heinous disease. It attacks the bloodstream and chokes the organs while at the same time the bacteria is choking the organs, its dying and it’s causing the blood vessels to clot inside out. Many people who get this are dead within twenty-four to forty-eight hours. My son got it when he was fourteen years old when he was at camp.

I know.

Gary: He happens to be one of the lucky ones because he survived but he also had amputations of all four limbs.

Oh my God, I know I interviewed your son a couple of years ago and he is such a brave soul.

Gary: You know it’s also attitude. You have to believe life is good and that you are going to go on. There are also so many who don’t. There was a young girl seventeen years old last week that got it in Virginia, beautiful, blond, vivacious, she was dead within twenty-four hours.

Oh my God!

Gary: The disease can hit anyone but what we try to do at NMA is try to educate doctors, parents, schools, camps that there is a vaccine that potentially can prevent this. I am not going to say it is going to definitely prevent it but it very well potentially can prevent this and now there is a new vaccine.

Tell my audience about that.

Gary: Well, you know if you recall last year at Princeton University there were I think ten people that came down with Meningitis but it was the B strain which didn’t have a vaccine legalized in the U.S. Now there is a legalized B vaccine. There are five strains of Meningitis and we cover four of them now I believe.

So it is so important to get that vaccination!

Gary: It’s very important and its very important to get it when you are young because this is a disease that happens when you’re with people at camps, at boarding schools because people come from….

Germs..

Gary: Yeah, but people come from different areas and they all have different bacterias. I mean you and I are friends we have the same bacteria but she and I don’t and you know you can get it drinking a glass of water by sharing a water bottle which is how we think my son got it.

And students do that all the time.

Gary: All the time, they share cigarettes, drinks…

What about makeup? Can they get from makeup? I know girls like to share mascara, eye shadow…

Gary: I don’t know about that. I honestly don’t know but yeah if they share lipstick for instance.

Oh my God!

Gary: And they are putting on their lips and they are sharing with somebody else, because a large percentage of the other population has this bacteria in their sinus cavities which is kind of your posterior for bacteria. When it becomes active that particular persons body starts fighting it off but there are a lot of other people who don’t have this bacteria and if they get that before their bodies starts fighting it off which is what happened to my son they are going to come down with this disease. It’s awful.

Well that is why I am here to bring awareness. To let people know out there that there is other options that they need to know about. Vaccination and other literature that they need to know.

Gary: Let me also say that there is a big hoopla about vaccination. This vaccination is synthetic. It isn’t like your getting a little bit of dead tissue or a live tissue of a particular disease which people get very crazy about. There are minimal side effects. I am not sure if there are any because of the vaccination is synthetic but the preventive possibilities are so important because how would you like to look at your fourteen year old son with no arms or legs.

It must break you heart everyday! Does it break your heart?

Gary: My son is alive; there are so many other sons and daughters that aren’t!

Will there be any celebrities and notable individuals coming to give their support tonight?

Gary: Richard Thomas will be here tonight. He has been our MC in past years. Ambassador John L. Loeb Jr. is one of our honorary chair people. There are a lot of good people that support and come every year. I spoke to Liv Ullmann, Norwegian actress. She is also one of our honorary chair people and she couldn’t come; she is in Florida but she called me this morning to wish us well and that she is thinking of us tonight.

Tell my audience where we can go to find out information, what is the website?

Gary: The best site is NMAUS.org National Meningitis Association U.S. and they can give you information about the vaccine, all the various vaccines, the laws in each state because there are different laws when you must get vaccinated.

I also spoke to Co-chair Sara Herbert Galloway who expressed, “This will be my seventh year co-chairing with Gary Springer and Gary is a dear friend and I learned about this organization from Gary and Errol Rappaport. Once I met Gary’s wife Nancy who has sadly passed away now and I met Nick I just wanted to be involved. I took this under my wing and my heart because the people I have met at this organization have so much courage, so much strength.”

NMA began in 2002 as a handful of parents whose families experienced the devastating impact of meningococcal disease. It was only after their experiences that they learned the disease is vaccine-preventable. Over the years, this small group grew into a national organization that advocates for meningococcal disease awareness and prevention. When NMA was founded, there was little public knowledge about meningococcal disease. Also, at that time, vaccination was not recommended, and an organized support structure for affected families did not exist.

Much has changed since NMA was founded:

Vaccination is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for all preteens and teens as well as those of other ages with risk factors for the disease. Many states now require vaccination for adolescents; others require that families and college students be educated about prevention. Vaccination rates have climbed steadily in recent years while disease incidence has declined. Research and development are in progress to improve prevention options. NMA is proud to have played a role in increasing meningococcal disease awareness and vaccination rates.

The National Meningitis Association is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. To learn more information please visit http://www.nmaus.org

Enjoi Lux Presented 2nd Annual Girls to Pearls Cocktail Soiree at Seasons 52 Restaurant in Roosevelt Field

March 23, 2015 by Cognac Wellerlane

LONG ISLAND, NY – Guys and Girls attended the 2nd Annual Girls to Pearls Cocktail Soiree at Seasons 52 Restaurant in Roosevelt Field on Saturday March 21, 2015.

Girls to Pearls Cocktail Soiree is dedicated to raise funds to benefit a community based non-profit, Women of Integrity Inc. (WOI Inc) 5th Annual Prom Dress Drive for young girls in the Nassau County community.

This event included an array of various Horsd’oeuvres, Desserts, Unlimited Red & White Wine networking, raffles and entertainment. Shantay Carter the Founder of Women of Integrity Inc. sat down with me and discussed the purpose behind the organization and Girls to Pearls Cocktail Soiree.

Womeon Integrity Shantay Shantay Carter Founder of Women of Integrity Inc. with Entertainment Journalist Cognac Wellerlane at the 2nd Annual Girls to Pearls Cocktail Soiree at Seasons 52 Restaurant on Saturday March 21, 2015.

Tell my audience why you are the founder of this organization?

Shantay: I am the founder of Women of Integrity Inc. because I found that there was a need in Long Island to help our under serve population of young girls. A lot of things are catered to the boroughs of Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens. I felt that there was nothing on Long Island. I am also a registered nurse so it was kind of in my nature to want to help people and give back so I found that a lot of our girls are lost. They are struggling.

They are very confused.

Shantay: They are very confused. They don’t have that good support system at home. Luckily I was fortunate to have that and I always wanted to pass that on to someone else and be able to give back to my community and that is why I started Women of Integrity. We can be their resource for these young girls.

Women of Integrity Board Members of Women of Integrty at the 2nd Annual Girls to Pearls Cocktail Soiree at Seasons 52 Restaurant on Saturday March 21, 2015.

We do etiquette workshops. We have done healthy living workshops, financial education and we work with Roosevelt High School after school mentoring programs where we go every Monday to Roosevelt High School and we work with the girls by bringing guest speakers. Just to be able to address topics that they want to talk about. It can range from everything and anything. We just did a guys panel, a male panel. We had two male speakers come in to speak to the girls. It was just meant to be able for them to ask questions like, “If I call a boy and he doesn’t call me back, why?” You know what I mean.

Yeah, they don’t understand.

Shantay: Yeah, so he was able to explain to them why. He stressed for them to stay in school.

They think it’s because they are ugly or fat or something.

Shantay: Right and he told them exactly that it is totally not the case. These guys are immature and they are young and they don’t really know what they want. So you have to know what you want as a young girl. You have to know your worth so they won’t treat you like that.

I love the name Women of Integrity.

Shantay: I wanted something that was going to stand out.

It sounds so powerful, Women of Integrity.

Shantay: That is what I wanted. I wanted women to know we all are Women of Integrity.

Shantay Carter also went on to discuss their Prom Dress Giveway Program.

Shantay: Our Prom Dress Giveway event will be next month on April 25th. We will be holding it at Kennedy Park in Hempstead. The kids just have to register online and that is for girls that are in need of a dress and who financially cannot afford it. I think prom is something that every girl deserves to go to. A lot of women have these dresses in the closet for years that they are not using, donate it for a good cause.

I want you to tell my audience where we can go to participate, where we can go to contribute and where we can go to support, what is the website?

Shantay: Our website is http://www.womenofintegrityinc.com

TV Host Cognac Wellerlane interviews Shantay Carter founder of About Women Of Integrity Inc. and Deborah Polidore Founder of Enjoi Lux at the 2nd Annual Girls to Pearls Soiree at Seasons 52 Restaurant in Roosevelt Field.

I also had the pleasure of interviewing Deborah Polidore from Enjoi Lux. Enjoi brings into existence luxurious events while highlighting emerging entrepreneurs and giving back to charity.

Alaina Reid, Shantay Carter and Deborah Polidore from Girls to Pearls at the 2nd Annual Girls to Pearls Cocktail Soiree at Seasons 52 Restaurant on Saturday March 21, 2015.

Introduce yourself to the camera.

Deborah: Hi, I am Deborah the co-founder of Enjoi Lux.

Tell my audience about the organization and why you established it.

Deborah – We established Girls to Pearls because we love young women in our community and we felt that they need to have role models, not role models on television but real women that look like them, real women that attend their schools, real women that play at their parks and to let them know that their dreams are possible.

Women Of Integrity Inc. is an organization of a diverse group of women from all different educational, racial, and socio-economic backgrounds whose aim is to support and empower women of all ages and ethnicity, while fostering the confidence necessary to accomplish their goals, dreams, and aspirations of the future. We extend our support through Volunteer service, Professional mentoring programs, and Community outreach events.

Aid to Developmentally Disabled; 1st Annual Shamrock Shindig, Thursday, March 19, 2015 at Long Island Aquarium

March 23, 2015 by Cognac Wellerlane

LONG ISLAND, NY – It was a Shamrock good time as Lads and Lasses gave their support and attended the 1st Annual Shamrock Shindig on Thursday, March 19, 2015 at Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead.

Guests enjoyed an evening of Irish charm with a mix of marine life. The event was planned as Aid to the Developmentally Disabled (ADD). The fundraiser included h’orderves, cocktails, an Irish buffet and private access to the spectacular aquarium. The night was filled with fun and humor as guests were treated to comedy entertainment, as well as witness one ADD Executive or Manager being lowered into the aquariums 120,000-gallon Lost City tank for a nose-to-nose swim with the sharks.

DonRiebFounderADD Don Rieb, Founder of ADD and Entertainment Journalist Cognac Wellerlane, at the 1st Annual Shamrock Shindig on Thursday, March 19, 2015 at Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead.

During the event I had the pleasure of interviewing Founder Don Rieb.

I am talking to the CEO of ADD. Introduce yourself to the camera darling.

Don: My name is Don Rieb. I am the founding CEO of the organization ADD. We started the agency in 1983 and we opened up our first residence in 1984 for those with disabilities and several years later we opened up programs for those with services for mental illness. We now have thirty residences in five townships.

And that is what this event is really all about. It’s participating and giving back to this organization.

Don: Yes. It’s actually critical. What’s happening over the past several years is that Albany and the federal government is reducing Medicaid funding for the past several years. Not just ADD but other organizations in New York State. It’s becoming much more difficult. They want us to do more for less.

More for less.

Don: Yet it’s getting harder and harder. So raising events like this is actually critical. Not only that but it get’s the community engaged in what we do.

And to bring awareness. That is the whole point behind this particular event. Obviously we are celebrating St. .Patrick’s Day but in a nice way because we are giving back to this wonderful organization.

Don: That and as you said it becomes an educational process for the community. The East End has been absolutely wonderful to us. It’s a wonderful community and we are happy to be here. We have houses out in East Hampton, Southampton, Greenport, Southold and Brookhaven Town. People are great.

Tell my audience what we’re going to experience at the 1st Annual Shamrock Shindig.

Don: Well this evening, obviously it’s to get the community together to learn something about ADD and to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day. One of the things we are going to do is, we have a shark tank contest and the people who contributed will go into the shark tank. We had a program director and our board president, they got the most funding so there going to be going into the tank with the sharks!

Oh my God!

Don: Yeah, that’s what I said. Getting the people here is really about awareness and raising money is extremely important to us. All the money that we raise will go to all the people we serve.

Tell my audience where we can go to participate, support and contribute.

Don: We have a website. It’s http://www.addny.org

I also spoke to President Vincent Barry and why he became a big supporter of ADD.

Tell my audience why you are a big supporter of ADD.

Vinnie: Well I have been with ADD for more than ten years on the board and I really didn’t know too much about ADD when I first joined. I heard about it and the longer I have been with it’s been just a phenomenal organization. Don runs a great organization. It serves a very strong lead out here to save the mentally challenged and disabled. Don started this thirty years ago in 1984 with one home and now it has grown to thirty houses.

TV Host Cognac Wellerlane interviews Founder of http://www.addny.org Donald Rieb and President Vincent Barry at the 1st Annual Shamrock Shindig at the Atlantis Aquarium in Riverhead, NY on March 19, 2015

The purpose at ADD is to provide the optimum level of quality rehabilitative services to all individuals living within their residential program. They provide a healthy, safe, and homelike environment in which individuals may achieve the greatest level of independence possible. ADD strives to surpass all requirements of OMH, OMRDD, federal, state and local authorities.

They are guided by their core of values:

Respect
Choice
Trust
Empathy
Dignity

ADD believes that every individual has value and the potential to learn and achieve goals. ADD does everything to inspire self-esteem, and encourage individuals to help each other and work together whenever possible. They aim to achieve fulfillment for every individual and employee by providing innovative and progressive programming and training. They are consistent in providing competent and compassionate staff who are role models for the people they serve. Standards of excellence are adhered to and monitored, as we work to achieve continuous improvement in all areas. ADD is dedicated to creating an environment where individuals are given the opportunity to be productive members of their community.

For more information please visit http://www.addny.org

Health and Wellness Fair at Freeport Recreation Center in Freeport, Long Island, March 14, 2015

March 15, 2015 by Cognac Wellerlane

LONG ISLAND, NY – Long Islanders enjoyed participating in the Health And Wellness Fair on Saturday, March 14, 2015, at the Freeport Recreation Center located at 130 East Merrick Road, Freeport, NY 11520.

The fair featured an array of vendor exhibits. Special attention was given to all senior attendants. There was also senior housing applications, updated information on OBAMACARE, Healthy food, a Zumba class, health screenings, glucose, vision, blood pressure, diabetes control, mental and occupational health, workshops, skin care, wellness promotion and fun for the entire family.

This collaborative effort involving many agencies related to health and human services providers was to promote access to health care, encourage preventive health screenings and provide residents with information helping them live a healthier lifestyle.

I spoke to one of the sponsors at the event, Crystal Smith, from Health Plus Amerigroup. HealthPlus Amerigroup offers free or low-cost health insurance to New Yorkers in the five boroughs and Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester and Putnam Counties. They are committed to improving the health and well-being of New York’s culturally diverse communities.

Healthandwellness3 Crystal Smith from Health Plus Amerigroup (left) with Entertainment Journalist Cognac Wellerlane at the Health And Wellness Fair on Saturday, March 14, 2015, at the Freeport Recreation Center

Tell my audience why you decided to become a sponsor for this particular event.

Crystal: We sponsor this event every year for several years now. This is one of our community based organizations that we do business with. They have a lot of events here and some other areas also. We are always a sponsor at these events. It gives us the opportunity to reach out to the communities and the families and the neighborhoods to offer health insurance to people who might not have or might not know areas that we can offer health insurance to.

Tell my audience a little more about the Health & Wellness Fair. What is it really all about?

Crystal: It’s about letting the communities know that health is important and to come out and see all the vendors that are here and go to the tables and see what kind of benefits are available to them. We have people taking blood pressure, we have people doing diabetes screening and we have service organizations offering health insurance. A lot of people don’t know if they might qualify and some of these benefits are free to communities as well, so that is why we are here to let people know that we are available for service.

Tell my audience about your company.

Crystal: We are HealthPlus Amerigroup. We have been around for thirty-five years. We are located in Staten Island, Nassau and Suffolk County and throughout the five boroughs including the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan.

If we want to find out more information about your company, where can we go?

Crystal: http://healthplus.amerigroup.com

I also had the opportunity to speak to the new General Consulate of New York, Maria Isabel Nieto, of the Colombian Consulate.

Healthandwellness1 General Consulate of New York, Maria Isabel Nieto, of the Colombian Consulate (left) with Entertainment Journalist Cognac Wellerlane at the Health And Wellness Fair on Saturday, March 14, 2015, at the Freeport Recreation Center

Tell my audience, it is so important for us all to become more aware of our health, as a big supporter what should we all do?

Maria: In order to have good health, eat well, drink plenty of water. Unfortunately there is a problem of obesity, we should pay attention to proper nutrition. Unfortunately a lot of immigrants are not really clear so they are afraid of approaching the health institutions. Coming to fairs like this and taking advantage of the programs of health is something completely different from immigration so they shouldn’t be afraid. Come to these kind of fairs, go to your nearest hospital to get advice on how you can have a healthier life.

Prevent all those health ailments that plague us all.

Maria: Absolutely!

Tell my audience where we can go to find out more about the Colombian Consulate?

Maria: the Colombian Consulate is located in Manhattan, 10 East 46th Street between Madison and Fifth Avenue. We have a website http://www.columbianconsulate.com

The event was promoted by J&A Global Corp. J&A Global Corp, which brings more than 15 years of combined experience in Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relationships, all together within the area of Event Designing. Their organization was originally created in Colombia, South America, where they were able to build expertise in the commercial, industrial, and government sectors.

Healthandwellness2 Carolina Vélez and Alexandra Aristizabal with Entertainment Journalist Cognac Wellerlane at the Health And Wellness Fair on Saturday, March 14, 2015, at the Freeport Recreation Center

The event was sponsored by Health Plus Amerigroup, Health First, Fidelis Care, WellCare, NuHealth, United Healthcare, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Freeport Medical Supply Inc. and AgeWell.

For more information please visit http://www.jandaglobalcorp.com

‘Pushups for Paralysis’ Challenge for Those Paralyzed from Spinal Cord Injuries; Join ‘Team Fight to Walk’

February 12, 2015 by Dana Klosner

LONG ISLAND, NY – For Boyd Melson, professional boxer and Captain in the US Army Reserves, being co-founder of the non-profit organization Team Fight to Walk is a labor of love. The group’s mission is to raise awareness and to make all possible efforts to fund a cure for spinal cord injuries in the United States.

In 2002, while a junior at the United States Military Academy at West Point, Boyd Melson met Christan Zaccagnino. Christan was paralyzed in 1993 at just ten years old when she broke her neck after diving into a backyard pool. It didn’t take long for the two to fall in love.

“She shared her dream of walking again,” Melson said. “That dream became mine. I told her, ‘I’ll never stop fighting unless you stop fighting.’”

Christan_Zaccagnino Boyd Melson, professional boxer, with Christan Zaccagnino, who was paralyzed in 1993 when she broke her neck after diving into a backyard pool. The two co-founded Team Fight To Walk; Melson donates all his purses to help raise funds for American’s first Spinal Cord Injury Trial.

The two co-founded Team Fight To Walk. In December 2013 it became an official 501c3 Non-Profit Organization. To date the organization has raised $300,000 to help cure paralysis due to spinal cord injury.

Three weeks ago, Melson who has been a professional boxer since 2010, started Pushups for Paralysis. Modeled after the Ice Bucket Challenge, which had everyone talking about ALS raising more than $100 million for the organization, Pushups for Paralysis’ goal is to raise both funds and awareness through social media. Each participant is challenged to do 10 pushups, call out others to participate then donate $10 to TeamFightToWalk.com. If they are unable to complete ten, participants are asked to donate an additional $1 for each incomplete pushup. For example, if only six pushups are completed the donation would be $14. The goal is to have 500,000 people complete the challenge, raising the $5 million needed to bring the trial to the United States.

MelsonYoungBoxing Professional boxer Boyd Melson and Rutgers neuroscience professor Wise Young want to knock out spinal cord injury and believe a cure is possible. Photo by and credit to Nick Romanenko, Rutgers University Photographer.

“The trials include four hospitals,” Melson said. “Mt. Sinai in Manhattan, Kessler Rehabilitation Center in West Orange, NJ, Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Philadelphia and North Shore-Long Island Jewish on Long Island. There would be ten patients in each location. Stem cells would be injected into the spinal cord above and below where the injury is.”

“Dr. Wise Young originally performed these trials in China,” Melson said. “The results were that 15 out of the 20 people operated on can now walk ten meters or more with a walker. For most, bladder function returned. We are now trying to bring these trials to the United States.”

Melson himself launched the first video completing ten pushups and calling out to other Team Fight to Walk members including Danny Jacobs, Marcus Brown, Riddick Bowe, Anthony Mason, Christan Zaccagnino, Paul Williams and Eric LeGrand.

photo-by-Carlos-Suarez Boyd Melson Beats Hector Rivera In 44 Seconds In NYC. Melson who has been a professional boxer since 2010 donating all his purses to help raise funds for American’s first Spinal Cord Injury Trial. Photo by Carlos Suarez.

“We have a lot of great people stepping up to the challenge,” Melson said. Including Tina Cervasio, the post-game reporter for the Knicks, Ray Lewis and Eric LeGrand who was paralyzed in 2010 when he was playing collegiate football for Rutgers and broke his neck in a tackle. LeGrand has since regained movement in his shoulders and sensation throughout his body.

If you want to get involved it’s easy, Melson said. Just make a video and say “Team Fight to Walk, My name is (blank) and I’m doing 10 pushups for people paralyzed and fighting to walk.” After completing the pushups call out to others. And, of course, don’t forget to donate to Team Fight to Walk. One social media you can use hashtag #PushupsForParalysis.

“Our motto is, ‘Curing Spinal Cord Injuries one punch at a time,” Melson said.

National Dental Awareness Event for Underprivileged Draws 1,600+ to Cradle of Aviation in Garden City

February 6, 2015 by Christopher Boyle

LONG ISLAND, NY – On Friday, February 6, Garden City’s Cradle of Aviation Museum was packed to the rafters with a gaggle of children as part of the 12th annual Nassau County Dental Society (NCDS) “Give Kids A Smile” event, which promotes the benefits of dental care for youngsters who otherwise might not have access to it.

Joseph Brofsky Co-Chair of NCDS event, said that “Give Kids A Smile” is a national endeavor aimed at children from disenfranchised areas who may have never seen a dentist at all in their short lifetimes. The event took place on February 6 at venues from coast-to-coast; however, Garden City lays claim to the title of the biggest of them all, Brofsky said.

Nassau County Dental Society and Long Island McDonald Help to Give Kids A Smile On Friday, February 6, Cradle of Aviation in Garden City was packed to the rafters with a gaggle of children as part of the 12th annual Nassau County Dental Society (NCDS) Give Kids A Smile. Kids were thrilled to see Ronald McDonald who left goodie bags including a certificate from McDonald’s for a free Happy Meal.

Nassau County Dental Society and Long Island McDonald Help to Give Kids A Smile On Friday, February 6, 2015, the national dental awareness event Give Kids A Smile drew over 1,600 to Garden City’s Cradle of Aviation Museum.

“There’s about 2,000 events put on by Dental Societies across America today for Give Kids A Smile, and this is the number-one venue in the country. Today we’re expecting a turnout of over 1,600 children,” he said. “Children are bused in from under-privileged areas on Long Island; some of them have never been to a museum or a dentist. We provide them with a tour of the Cradle of Aviation as well as dental checkups and, if needed, follow-up care.”

Over 100 volunteer dentists were set up at stations on the Cradle’s second floor, providing check-ups, cleanings, and fluoride treatments, temporary fillings, and general dental advice to tykes from all over Long Island; in addition, there were 350 student volunteers from high schools such as Long Beach, Lynbrook, Freeport, Farmingdale, and more, each of whom helped chaperone and manage the large throngs of kiddies present.

Nassau County Dental Society and Long Island McDonald Help to Give Kids A Smile On Friday, February 6, Cradle of Aviation in Garden City was packed to the rafters with a gaggle of children as part of the 12th annual Nassau County Dental Society (NCDS) Give Kids A Smile.

However, the NCDS also receives a great deal of help from a variety of other organizations; in addition to receiving donated dental supplies from Henry Schein Dental of New York, mascots and representatives from popular local sports teams such as the NY Islanders and the NY Mets were present to entertain the kids waiting for their checkups; however one certain clown clearly was the star of the show for these youngsters, Brofsky said.

“Ronald McDonald is a big star here with the kids…in fact, he’s the most popular character we have here today. The kids love him,” he said. “And Long Island McDonald’s has been tremendously helpful to us. They’re doing some wonderful work for the children of Long Island.”

Nassau County Dental Society and Long Island McDonald Help to Give Kids A Smile Posing for the camera are (L to R) Joseph Brofsky, Co-Chair of the Nassau County Dental Society’s “Give Kids A Smile” event, and Luciana Montuoro, LI McDonald’s Marketing & Public Relations Director, Friday, February 6, 2015, at Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City.

Luciana Montuoro, LI McDonald’s Marketing & Public Relations Director, said that getting involved in the “Give Kids A Smile” event is just their way of continuing their tradition of giving back to the community; and the success of their involvement has enabled McDonald’s to extend their backing of this important cause to other areas of Long Island as well, she said.

“Long Island McDonald’s has been supporting Give Kids A Smile at this event for five years now, and each year it’s gown and grown,” she said. “They bus in children from all areas of Nassau and Suffolk County to get free checkups. And based on the success of this event, McDonald’s has also begun attending the Give Kids A Smile event held in Stony Brook University’s School of Dentistry and Farmingdale College as well.”

Nassau County Dental Society and Long Island McDonald Help to Give Kids A Smile On Friday, February 6, 2015, children from all areas of Nassau and Suffolk County were bused in for free checkups. Kids were thrilled to see Ronald McDonald who left goodie bags including a certificate from McDonald’s for a free Happy Meal.

Montuoro noted that the inclusion of the one-and-only Ronald McDonald at the Give Kids A Smile events serves two very important purposes.

“First, the kids are thrilled to see Ronald, but he also puts them at ease because they are nervous about getting a checkup,” she said. “And, after their checkup, each kid gets a goodie bag and we include a certificate from McDonald’s for a free Happy Meal.”

The Cradle of Aviation was abuzz with activity that day, with the mammoth lobby transformed into a jubilant waiting room of sorts, complete with chairs, music, snacks, and video screens everywhere you looked. Also, kids got free tours of the museum while they were waiting to have their teeth looked over by one of the many volunteers present.

Seven year-old Devon was indeed a bit apprehensive about going in for his check-up; however, with some encouragement from Ronald McDonald – and the promise of a Happy Meal to come – he soon found the courage to go in for a quick exam.

“The dentist told me I had good teeth,” he said. “I really liked that they gave me a checkup and made sure that I’ve been brushing right. And I really can’t wait to get a cheeseburger Happy Meal when I get home later!”

To advertise your business on Long Island Exchange ® please call 631-592-4425