County Names Groups to Receive Funds from Marathon 19 Organizations to Split $160,000 for Veterans’ Services

Suffolk County officials announced Thursday, March 24 2016 the names of organizations that have been chosen to receive funds from the proceeds of the first annual Suffolk County Marathon.

Nineteen organizations received awards ranging from $2,500 to $23,600 from the nearly $160,000 net proceeds from the Sept. 13, 2015 race.  Recipients were chosen by the Suffolk County Marathon Fund Disbursement Advisory Committee, which assessed the needs of Suffolk County’s veteran population, established criteria for awarding funds to charitable registered 501(c)(3) organizations providing services to local Suffolk County veterans, and established  priorities and develop a list of goals and objectives in order to rank applications.

“With these awards, we can provide the services that our veterans need when they return home from service,” Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said. “Through a broad range of services, these organizations take a variety of approaches to help veterans adjust and return to their civilian lives. I am proud of the success of the first marathon, and the fact that we’re able to strengthen services delivered to veterans.”

Legislator Steve Stern, who announced the awards, said, “As Chairman of the Veterans Committee of the Suffolk County Legislature, I have the privilege of working with and for the brave men and women who have served our great nation and their families.  I am honored to participate in today’s event, distributing the proceeds of Suffolk County’s first marathon to  local veterans organizations to fulfill our responsibility to ensure that we provide not just our thanks, but meaningful support to those who have sacrificed so much for us all. I look forward to this year’s marathon, which I am sure will be an even  greater success and thank County Executive Steve  Bellone, Veterans Services Agency Director Tom Ronayne and members of the Suffolk County Veterans Grant Committee for their hard work in making this event such a resounding success.”

The Catholic Health Services Second Annual Marathon will be run on Oct. 30, with a full marathon, a half marathon and a newly added 5k. Net proceeds will again go to benefit local veterans’ services. The race will be followed by the Freedom Fest, which will feature local produced foods, award-winning wines and beers, and live entertainment.

The 19 organizations and their awards and services are:

• Missing in America Veterans Recovery Program, $2,500, Burial services for unclaimed veterans;
• United Veterans Beacon House, $9,800, “Unmet Needs” program; assisting veterans and their families with services including, but not limited to: financial management, sustainability, food stuffs, bedding, transportation services, assistance with completing financial assistance applications
• Paws of War, Inc.,  $7,900, providing service dogs to disabled veterans in need
• America’s VetDogs, $9,800 providing service / therapy dogs for veterans suffering from PTSD
• Long Island Blue Star Moms NY , $2,000, for   supply / care packages for active duty service members overseas as well as toiletries for veterans in homes
• Honor Flight Long Island, $5,900  to provide group trips to Washington, D.C., to visit national memorial
• Make it Count Foundation, $23,600, home renovations / necessary modifications for disabled veterans in need; working in conjunction with Northport VA
• 9-1-1 Veterans $23,600, Provide emergency financial relief to veterans in need, such as mortgage payment or home heating oil costs)
• Pal-O-Mine Equestrian, Inc., $5,500    Animal / equine therapy sessions and psychotherapy program for veterans suffering from PTSD
• Korean War Veterans of Central LI, Inc., $3,000, Veteran events: Holiday Party and Gold Star Mother Event
• Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), $6,000 free computers and computer programs to veterans & veterans organizations
• Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center, $9,700, free legal services program for veterans
• General Needs Ltd.,    $12,300, provides “basic needs” items for veterans, such as beds, clothing, toiletries, cookware, etc. ; working with the VA and United Way
• Disabled American Veterans of NY Services Corps, $5,300 funds for vehicle purchase to provide free transportation service for disabled veterans
• St. Joseph’s College Long Island, $6,900, Job training program for veterans
• Project 9Line, Inc., $13,500, Focused on using the arts as a method of therapy for PTSD and other mental ailments.
• American Legion Babylon Post 94, $4,600 , Excursions (fishing trips), special events, and site visits for veterans housed at Northport VA and Stony Brook
• Suffolk Community College Foundation,  $3,700, Veteran suicide prevention program and suicide intervention/ awareness training program
• Suffolk County American Legion, PTSD Committee, $4,000, Peer-to-peer PTSD counseling program at 20 Suffolk County American Legion locations

Among the attendees:

• SuffolkLegislator Steve Stern
• Babylon Councilwoman Jacqueline Gordon
• Steve Bartomioli – Hope for the Warriors
• Patrick Donohue & Marge Ryan – Project 9 Line

• Eric Hofmeister, District Director – on behalf of Senator Croci
• Ken Rosenblum – Touro Law School
• Don Sioss – Disabled American Veterans
• John Jex – 9-1-1 Vets
• Armen Enkababian – Babylon American Legion
• Sylvia Diaz – Suffolk County Community College Foundation
• Virginia Bennet – Honor Flight Long Island
• Jon Reese – Make It Count Foundation
• Jaime McGrade – America’s VetDogs
• Dan Murphy, Gold Star father