By Karenlyn Barone
A week after coalition President Tom Lynch announced the closing of the Saturday Night @ Lynbrook High program (SNL) due to lack of funds, he was thanking people for their donations. But those donations, while generous, are just a temporary Band-Aid for an ailing program that Lynch says needs major financial assistance in order to survive.
Last week, in a Herald article ("Saturday night has been canceled"), Lynch was forced to announce the closing of the SNL program. He had launched SNL, a weekly event sparked by the need to get high school students off the streets -- and his desire to provide a place for them to gather -- in January. Knowing full well that the coalition was not financially strong enough to fund the $500-a-night program for very long, Lynch was nevertheless determined to run the program until April. But the well ran dry last week, and Lynch announced that last Saturday would be SNL's final night. Citing the lack of financial backing, the coalition was unable to keep the program afloat.
In a mass e-mail sent to inform people of the situation, Lynch wrote, "It wasn't a lack of interest on the part of the teenagers, but a lack of commitment from the adults in our community that kept this from continuing."
The coalition held a meeting Tuesday night to discuss what could be done to keep the program going, and to the delight of Lynch and the students, donations were received that will allow SNL to re-open its doors.
"We'll be back on Saturday," said Lynch. "We can do this -- I know we can continue."
The donations included a $2,400 check brought to the meeting by resident Kevin Dowd from an anonymous donor, as well as contributions from Flinch and Bruns Funeral Home and some residents who want to see the youth activity program continue. Resident Nick Comando pulled out his checkbook at the meeting and made a donation of $100.
"I can certainly pay $100 for my kids to attend this program," said Comando. "Personally, I hope the Village of Lynbrook will match donations. I feel they should."
While Lynch and the coalition were thankful for the donations, which will see the program through the next few weeks, they realize that the $25,000-a-year program needs committed backing. The bulk of the money is used to pay teachers and the district custodial staff for their time. Lynch is committed to keeping the teachers an integral part of the program, saying, "They are trained to be with the kids and do a great job."
The school doesn't charge the program for heat or electricity, and Lynch is quick to point out that without the support of the district, the program would not be possible. Residents who attended the meeting expressed their disappointment that more local businesses had not contributed to what they see as a viable solution to the problem of children hanging out on Atlantic Avenue at night, which has been a problem for downtown merchants.
"I am very disappointed that the merchants and the Lynbrook Chamber of Commerce have not contributed to the program," said Lynch's wife, Ginny.
Comando, checkbook still in hand, said, "Gang awareness seminars preach school, parents, police, and government need to be involved as a partnership, so I think it 's time for us to put our money where our mouths are. How can the village and business community turn their backs on this pro-active anti-gang program?"
The village does have a recreation-department program, and it was suggested at the meeting that the SNL program be moved to the recreation center, but Lynch was skeptical. "The room is too small, there are no teachers there, and the recreation center is clear on the other side of town," he said.
It was obvious that Lynch was determined to keep SNL alive right where it is, and many residents agreed. The consensus was that the village should take the money it is spending on the recreation program and give it to SNL, "a program that is already up and running and bringing the kids in off the streets," Lynch said.
There were a variety of suggestions on how to bring more money into the program. Lynch and Lynbrook High School Principal Santo Barbarino have been in touch with local legislators and are gathering information regarding grants, and the coalition has preliminary plans for a staff softball game, a battle of the bands and a 5K run to raise funds. Residents also suggested a car wash and a talent show.
"Telling the kids the program had to close was the worst thing," said Lynch. "And if SNL is going to continue, we need money. That's the bottom line."
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