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Fair Four Baldwin residents recognized for volunteer efforts
B4C organizers honored as Women of Distinction
When programs at Baldwin schools were cut following the 2013-14 budget vote last June, dozens of residents pitched in to organize fundraisers and events to restore some of the cut items. The group called itself Baldwin 4 Children and when its efforts were complete, $163,000 was raised.
Assemblyman Brian Curran (R-Lynbrook), who represents parts of Baldwin, took note of B4C’s efforts, and when it came time for his annual Women of Distinction ceremony, four Baldwin women, each major volunteers in B4C, were recognized.
B4C Co-President Jen Clavin, Lori Murray, Lynn Maniace and Nancy Heiberg each received the honor at a ceremony on Sept. 20 at Lynbrook Public Library. The four Baldwin residents were among 23 women who were recognized in Curran’s 21st Assembly District.
“I was pleasantly surprised,” Heiberg said of when she was told about being recognized. “It’s definitely an honor, especially from that level coming from Brian’s office.” Heiberg handled the graphic design — created the logo and would make up event flyers — for B4C and also kept track of the busy event calendar.
Following the $321,000 in budget cuts made in June 2013, sports teams, musicals and community staples like Sportsnite no longer had funding. B4C hosted events over the summer, fall and winter to save programs that otherwise would have been gone. “It was definitely rewarding to get a lot of these programs back into the school that we lost,” Maniace said. “It was good to see all of the kids enjoy at least some of the things back.”
Clavin said she received a letter over the summer informing her of the distinction and called it a nice surprise. The ceremony last month featured speakers, a pianist and singer, and a portion where each honoree was singled out and applauded. “It was a beautiful ceremony,” Clavin said.
For Heiberg, receiving the honor was nice, but she couldn’t help but think of the dozens of other Baldwinites who also pitched in for B4C. “I was honored but I was also humbled because I was thinking that so many other people helped,” she said.
