Sunday, January 19, 2025
The Garden City South Community League, a civic association serving Franklin Square, celebrated its 95th anniversary at the Plattdeutsche Park Restaurant on Dec. 4. More than 60 guests were in attendance, including Nassau County officials and members of the civic association, to commemorate the league’s history and honor its service to the Franklin Square community.
At the cocktail party, there was a table display of the league’s minutes, treasurers’ reports and newspaper clippings dating back to the 1950s. League President Marge Kelly said those items would eventually be given to the Franklin Square Historical Society for preservation.
The league, which was originally established on Dec. 2, 1929, as the first incorporated civic association in New York, initially served all of Nassau County. But was scaled back in 1952 to include only Franklin Square School District 17, as other civic associations became incorporated.
In celebration of the league’s history, elected officials included Assemblyman Ed Ra, County Comptroller Elaine Philips and Legislator John Giuffre presented awards to Kelly, league Director Ellen Andrasick and former County Legislator Laura Schaefer.
Kelly was recognized for her community service, although she wanted to make sure the rest of her board was commended for the support they’ve given her since she became president in 2018. “Everyone views the presidency as this big thing,” she said. “I’m out front and center, fighting the fight. But nobody works alone. I do nothing without approval from my board. We’re a family.”
Angela Romano, the league’s vice president, agreed that the organization is all about family. “They really care about the community,” said Romano, who has been in Franklin Square for 45 years and a member of the league for six years.
The league’s work is a collaborative effort, she said, and all members play a role in getting projects done. “I’m lousy at fundraising,” Romano laughed. But, she said, Andrasick is great at getting people to buy things or donate. “She gets so many ads from the businesses,” Romano said.
Andrasick, 85, was recognized for her work. Kelly said that Andrasick has been a member since 2017, and hasn’t stopped helping the league since. According to Kelly, Andrasick runs circles around everyone, despite her age. “She’s the Energizer Bunny of the league,” Kelly laughed. “If something needs to be done, she never says no.”
Schaefer was also recognized for her service to the organization during her 10 years as a legislator. She addressed problems brought to her attention by the league, such as traffic safety and community revitalization efforts. “She’s second to none,” Kelly said. Romano added that Schaefer was instrumental in the league’s efforts to improve crosswalk safety.
Kelly said the league has remained dedicated to community safety during her presidency, working alongside county officials like Schaefer and Giuffre to fight corrupt businesses that bring drugs and alcohol to the community. She is also a member of the Nassau County Police Commissioner Community Council, which she said helps her take an active role in reporting corruption in Franklin Square directly to the police.
Joe Gonzalez, a Franklin Square resident for 52 years, said that having someone like Kelly in charge makes him feel like someone is protecting him and the community’s interests. “It’s hard to find people will fight for their community,” Gonzalez said. “Marge keeps the community in check, and she always has my back.”
Through the league, Kelly has also revitalized community events and traditions, such as the Memorial Day Parade, the Ragamuffin Parade and the Christmas Tree Lighting. Romano said she was surprised that almost 500 people showed up at the first tree lighting in 2018. “We were overwhelmed,” she said. “We couldn’t believe so many people would come!”
Romano said that Kelly’s leadership motivated the community to work with the league and make Franklin Square a better place to live. “She inspired everybody to care,” Romano said, adding that she hoped to continue the league’s tradition when she becomes president in February. But, she said, she knows she can’t do it alone. “It really needs a community behind it,” Romano said of the league.
Gonzalez said that without civic associations like the league, the community would miss out on the special opportunity to preserve the town’s historical values. “It keeps everyone together,” Gonzalez said of the organization. “That’s what, to me, is most important about community leagues.”
“It’s a great community,” Kelly said. “Nobody leaves this town, because that’s just the way Franklin Square is. We support each other.”
For more information about upcoming league events, and how to support it, join their Facebook Page, Community League of Garden City South, Inc.
