Counseling center gives honors at fundraiser

The Friends of Bridge drug and alcohol addiction counseling center hosted its annual fundraising brunch on April 19, where it honored a local man and the organization’s recently deceased former executive director.

John J. Kelly, Jr., a lifelong Valley Stream resident and longtime youth football coach, received the Bridge Builder of the Year award. He was recognized for his work with young athletes in the Green Hornets football league and with Central High School’s football teams.

Board of Directors President Linda Pizzolo and newly appointed Executive Director Kristine Garcia paid tribute to the organization’s previous executive director, Richard P. Schmit, who died suddenly in February. Schmit ran the agency for 25 years and was remembered for his “compassion, clinical expertise and leadership.”

The agency, located on Pflug Place, was established in 1970 to aid adolescents and adults in overcoming chemical dependency.