Letters to the Editor: East Rockaway, Lynbrook

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We rocked it!

To the Editor:
Thank you, East Rockaway, for coming together on Saturday to “Rock the Recovery!”
We shared our stories of luck and of loss and made plans for our collective future; we matched people’s needs with others’ resources, and opened up a dialogue about the issues most pressing to the Bay Park and East Rockaway communities.
There are so many people to thank: The American Culinary Federation, led by Chef Michael Ty, Chef Gerard Molloy, Chef Chris Neary, Liz Neary Franks and their entire team of culinary heroes provided delicious food. East Rockaway Fire Department Chief Steven R. Torborg and Corporation President Andrew Hedges, for their tireless efforts and for providing space and personnel to ensure this amazing event at the Main Street Firehouse. We were also happy to have Sen. Dean Skelos join us to show his never-ending support of our village.
Special thanks go to Auxiliary Deputy Inspector Diane LauKaitis and her team (and her family); to the East Rockaway Public Library, the East Rockaway Education Foundation, School Superintendent Dr. Roseanne Melucci, the Coalition for Youth in East Rockaway, led by the incomparable Dr. Richard Meagher; Shaun Beymolla and his lovely wife for providing free Kona Ices for all; Rev. Steven Hurkens of the Church of the Nazarene and Pastor Mark Lukens of Bethany Congregation; Debbie Flowers, of Woodmere, for the beautiful linens and floral arrangements; CVS of East Rockaway for donating cases of bottled water; the lovely and talented Christine Solimeno for providing the entertainment; and many, many others.
Additional thanks should go to Protech Electric and to Dr. Leon Hodes for donating the fliers that were circulated last week, and to the tireless Rob O’Brien, Mark Godoy, Lauren Daitz Godoy and Ed Farrell for helping set up the event.
Finally, thank you to the staff of SUNY New Paltz and the New Paltz Fire Department for returning to East Rockaway to help, and for their extraordinary construction services the following day. We are so grateful for their spirit, talents, generosity and love.
We have future events planned that will include fundraisers, working groups and holiday celebrations. We are all Rocks!

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