Wellness Council sets fall agenda

After a busy spring, the Seaford Wellness Council is planning an even busier fall. The group met for the final time before the summer on June 21, and outlined many of its activities for the coming months.

“We have to be ready to hit the ground running when September comes around,” Seaford Wellness Council President Michael DiSilvio said.

Events will include a Friday Night Live activity night for middle-school students, the annual Field of Honor flag display outside the Seaford train station, the second annual Harvest Social for senior citizens, and the Hot Chocolate Run.

“It’s become one of the premier 5K runs on Long Island,” said Vice President Ken Nersesian, of the race which will take place on Saturday, Dec. 3. Last year’s race drew about 1,000 runners, the second highest total in the event’s 12-year history, and Nersesian is expecting a bigger draw this year.

The race starts just south of Seaford High School and ends in front of the school. All participants receive a long-sleeve shirt, and can enjoy hot chocolate and bagels after the race.

On Friday, Nov. 4, the Wellness Council will host the Senior Harvest Social, which features dinner and dancing. Citing the success of last year’s inaugural event, the group decided to make it an annual tradition.

The Wellness Council is also co-sponsoring several events this summer. After receiving a $10,000 youth grant from Nassau County, the group earmarked $1,000 for summer programs at the Seaford Library.

A game truck visits the library the evening of Wednesday, July 6, which will give teens a chance to play a variety of video games on multiple systems. There will also be a series of ballroom dancing classes on Monday nights, beginning July 11.

The Wellness Council will also be co-sponsoring the library’s final summer concert. Seven Bridges Road, the seven-piece, high-energy ensemble, will perform at the Seaford train station on Aug. 13. Members of the council will be providing refreshments for concert-goers.

Spring wrap-up

The Wellness Council, in partnership with the Seaford Historical Society, hosted its first community barbecue on June 4 in the parking lot of the historical museum on Waverly Avenue. About 100 people attended, and the group would like to make it an annual event.

“The venue was good, the band was good, the food was good,” Nersesian said. Long Island band Fullhouse performed, and Wellness Council members grilled and served hamburgers and hot dogs. The museum was also open for tours.

“I think that for a first time, we could call it a success,” DiSilvio added. He said the purpose of the event was to bring recognition to the efforts of both the Wellness Council and the Historical Society.

Officers from the council will meet in August to discuss plans to use the remaining money — close to $3,000 — from the 2016 youth grant that was secured by Legislator Steve Rhoads.

Donations that were made to the high school for the robotics team, drama club and athletic leadership, totaling $2,100, had to come out of the Wellness Council’s general fund, as it was later learned that the grant could not be used for payments directly to a school district.

In the future, DiSilvio said that in order to support these groups through a grant, the Wellness Council will get a list of needs and pay the vendors directly, which is permitted. That’s what it did for two programs it sponsored for the elementary schools — Mad Science at the Manor School and a visit from author and illustrator Chris Soentpiet at the Harbor School.

The Wellness Council’s next meeting will be held on Sept. 27.