By SARI ZEIDLER
Lage's friends and family members say that is just who she is: a woman who is always giving of herself without expecting anything from anyone in return. And that is why the Herald is proud to name Lage its 2008 Person of the Year.
She began her work on behalf of people with cerebral palsy in 1964, when she first moved to Merrick with her husband, Al and two children, John and Michelle. Her daughter, Michelle, was diagnosed with C.P., which causes muscles to tighten constantly and throws off a person's balance. The family chose to live in Merrick to be close to the Treatment and Rehabilitation Center of Roosevelt, run by the United Cerebral Palsy of Nassau County, a private, nonprofit organization.
Michelle -- who is now 50 and leads an active life -- attended school at the UCPN center, and shortly afterward, Lage began volunteering there. She did not do so simply because her daughter went to school there, however. "I didn't get involved in the system because of her," said Lage. "I just volunteered there because I knew it was a wonderful place." To this day, Lage continues to volunteer at the center.
The school offers educational, therapeutic and recreational services for those of all ages, and has played an integral role in the Lage family's life for more than four decades. As a kindergartner at the center, Michelle met her future husband, Richard Mondello. Today the couple, who have been married for 23 years, make their home in North Merrick, and volunteer their time at the center.
"A lot of the people we work with are like family, so it's a great place to work," said Michelle, adding that she runs the center's children's library.
The children's learning center has three divisions. The Early Intervention Program serves children from birth to age 3, and the preschool program is geared toward those ages 3-5. The center's largest division is the Elementary School Age and Secondary Learning Program, which helps students develop independent-living skills.
The UCPN center is funded largely by the state and federal governments, but it also depends heavily on private donations. The Nassau County Auxiliaries Council of the United Cerebral Palsy Association hosted its annual fashion show on Oct. 7 to raise funds for the center. Lage has served as the event's chairwoman for 10 years. This year's show raised $18,000.
Merrick residents and business owners alike turned out at the fashion show, filling two dinner tables at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury, buying up raffle tickets and donating several prizes. The Merokeans' generosity received special mention during the event.
Many said they owed their involvement with UCPN to Lage. "We did all the raffles," said Carolyn McDonough, wife of Assemblyman David McDonough, who attended the event for third time. "It's a wonderful cause, and Carmella is the most wonderful person I've ever met in my life."
Connie Deckel, store manager of the Kings Supermarket in Garden City, developed a friendship with Lage when Lage patronized the store at its former location on Merrick Road in Merrick. "You can't say no to Carmella; she's just great," said Deckel, who donated two baskets to be raffled off at the fashion show.
In addition to her work for the UCPN, Lage is active in many Merrick organizations. She began her community involvement as Merrick's Welcome Wagon hostess more than four decades ago, greeting newcomers to the area and providing literature on local businesses, civic groups and elected leaders. She now serves on the Merrick Chamber of Commerce board and is an active member of the Kiwanis Club. Still, she said, "Because of cerebral palsy, I'm known as the C.P. representative."
Lage is acutely aware of the difficulties that come with cerebral palsy. At the same time, she said, it has brought many lasting friendships. "The best part of having Michelle was the social life," Lage said with a smile. "Having a child with a disability makes you aware of the goodness of people."
Comments about this story? SZeidler@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 236.
