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On June 20th, the office of New York State Senator Monica R. Martinez (District 4) sponsored a Senior Fun Day at Tanner Park in Copiague. Hundreds of local seniors participated in a day of education and fun. The day started off with RSVP volunteer, Mary, lending her beautiful voice singing patriotic songs welcoming the seniors. RSVP volunteers, Jane and Kristi, gave a wonderful class on Tai Chi. Our RSVP HIICAP and Living Healthy Coordinator, Denise Passarelli presented Medicare Basics and Matter of Balance overview, and an enthusiastic group of seniors enjoyed Line Dancing led by RSVP volunteer, Eileen. The staff of RSVP Suffolk was honored to participate in this great day for seniors!
Located in Central Islip, the Children’s Center provides a safe, nurturing space for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years, offering supervised play, arts and crafts, educational games and story time. Volunteers help create a warm, welcoming environment, assist with activities, and support their literacy mission by encouraging reading and helping distribute books to children. Your time and care can brighten a child’s day and inspire a love of learning. For more information about volunteering at the Children’s Center, please call RSVP at 631-979-9490 and press extension 115. Our Coordinator, Terri, will be happy to help you.
Congratulations to the volunteers at the Long Island Seaport & Eco Center’s Bayles Boat Shop. For the past 2½ years, these volunteers have undertaken a painstaking process to construct a replica whaleboat called “Caleb Brewster” in honor of the Revolutionary War hero. Months of work remain to get the 24-foot ship ready for the nation’s 250th anniversary next summer. The project, a partnership with the Village of Port Jefferson, aims to tell the story of Brewster. He grew up in Setauket and was a member of the Culper Spy Ring who gathered intelligence on British activities on Long Island. Constructing the whaleboat gives a nod to the village’s shipbuilding history. RSVP volunteer, Len Carolan, president of the L.I. Seaport & Eco Center/Bayles Boat Shop, said the next phase involves work inside the boat. Volunteers will install the vessel’s ribs, known as futtocks, which have to be curved to fit just right. None of the volunteers are shipwrights by trade. They enjoy the camraderie and hope that many people will experience the “Caleb Brewster” and hear its story for a long time to come.
Credit: Elizabeth Sagarin, Newsday
