By Nicole Falco
Friends' immediate past president, MaryAnn Cahill, and former Valley Stream mayor, John DeGrace, were the toasts of a brunch held March 2 at Bedell's at Westwind in Freeport.
DeGrace, the Republican commissioner of the Nassau County Board of Elections, was one of two chosen for the annual "Bridge Builder of the Year" award for the years of lobbying, fund-raising and donations he has given on behalf of the Friends organization. Cahill was chosen in recognition of the three years she spent as president of Friends' Board of Directors and for the 13 years she has served on the board.
Cahill called her volunteer work with Friends "one of the most important and fulfilling experiences" of her life. DeGrace applauded the work Friends does and expressed his pride in being apart of that work.
The two award recipients attracted many supporters, including Senator Dean Skelos, Assemblyman Bob Barra, Town Supervisor Kate Murray, County Legislator Fran Becker, Town Councilman James Darcy, Town Receiver of Taxes Donald Clavin, and Valley Stream Mayor Ed Cahill, who was accompanied by members of the Board of Trustees and the village justice. Each brought with them a citation, certificate of recognition or gift and heaps of praise for Mary Ann Cahill and DeGrace.
