Community

‘It means the world to us’

Officials raise $5,000 for Oceanside’s CoopStrong

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Young Cooper Graham has been in and out of Cohen Children’s Medical Center for the last year due to a rare form of eye cancer called retinoblastoma that entered his body. Since the diagnoses, Oceanside and nearby areas have rallied together under the CoopStrong banner for the one-year-old during the family’s time of need. On March 16, politicians from Nassau and Suffolk came together and raised $5,000 for the family during a corn beef cookoff at the Milleridge Inn in Jericho.

“They’ve been supportive to us from day one and we can’t thank them enough,” said Cooper’s father Michael Graham, who is also an Oceanside Fire Commissioner, “from Butch Yamali, the owner, to the elected officials, it means the world to us.”

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman praised the community and family for their support, “Cooper Graham has a serious and rare illness and it’s been unbelievable how this Nassau County community has come together for him and for other kids that have this affliction. We’re raising money for Mike and Rachel, his parents, they are so awesome, so strong, so supportive. Thank you, guys, for everything you do. This is a little something from us to try and raise money for research and to find a cure for this disease.”

City of Glen Cove Mayor Pam Panzenbeck took home the corned beef trophy, Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joe Saladino received second place and third place went to the Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jen DeSena.

The lowest score went to Congressman Anthony D’Esposito, who Blakeman joked was “so busy in Washington this week he didn’t have time to marinate it,” and Supervisor Don Clavin won second to last.