A festive “Casino Night” fundraiser in Westbury raised about $19,000 for PLUS Group Homes, one in Uniondale. While honoring Terri Cancilla, executive director whose decades of leadership helped make the event — and the organization’s newest pool facility — possible.
Held Nov. 5 at Westbury Manor, the event drew nearly 100 attendees for games of blackjack, roulette and craps, along with raffles, music and a photo booth. Supporters walked away with dozens of prizes, including a 70-inch television and gift certificates donated by staff and local businesses.
But the night’s biggest moment came when PLUS’s board of directors unveiled the group’s new enclosed pool facility in Uniondale would be named the “Terri Cancilla Pool House”, honoring Cancilla’s 40 years of service as executive director.
“My purpose is to honor our executive director, Terri. She is a unique leader, God gives us all an opportunity to serve a purpose and is committed 24/7 and then some,” said the board president Phillip Smith.
With a speech and a plaque from Smith, honoring Cancilla in naming the pool house, after her because of her. She origionally initiated the funding for it, totaling over $200,000 to bring it to fruition.
“My board decided to name that structure after me, which I’m extremely honored for and appreciative of,” she said. “It means that my purpose in providing the best quality of life for individuals who we take into our agency has been successful.”
The organization, based in Wantagh, operates seven homes in Nassau County for adults with developmental disabilities. The Uniondale facility’s enclosed pool was built so that residents can swim year-round, offering both therapeutic and recreational benefits.
The naming recognition touched Cancilla, who first envisioned the project 15 years ago and raised much of the early funding. The funds will be made to improve the pool’s HVAC system which can more than 100,000.
“We have so many things that we want to provide for our individuals that we’re just not able to do with the state and federal funding,” she said.
Cancilla said the community has been generous, in their donations but there is still a long way to go. She wants to make the pool usable in all seasons. She added that the pool is much needed in their home because of therapeutic and exercise purposes not only recreation.
“They love it, some get their frustration let out while they’re in that pool, swimming and tossing the beach ball, it’s very rewarding to see.”
The event also honored key supporters, including Jeff Seidl and Victor Dezelic of Corporate Synergies, which helps manage employee benefits for PLUS staff. Other sponsors included Total Care RX, MF Carpentry, and Cleanco.
Cancilla, a nurse by training, spoke about how PLUS’s smaller size allows its leadership and direct care staff — nearly 200 people — to remain closely involved in each resident’s care. She credited her team’s commitment for the quality of services the organization provides.
“I could not do all of that we do for our individuals on my own. We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without our staff, who are just so dedicated, and they love working for us.” she said.
