Thank you to everyone who came out last March to unite in Dave’s honor to watch the Tarheel’s win over the Hofstra Pride!

We are grateful to Hofstra for allowing us to use the Howdy Myers Pavilion for our event and thank you to Gerry Donaghy for orchestrating. We could not have put on such a great event without you.

This year, CEED enlisted an intern from the marine science program at Stony Brook University to help develop the program. Campers were able to go to the Stony Brook University Southampton campus to learn about the south shore on the Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SOMAS) research vessel.  The campers could explore life at all levels of the Shinnecock Bay and compare a human-induced developed side of the shoreline to a naturally preserved shoreline. After the experience on the vessel, the campers went on a tour of the state-of-the-art Stony Brook Marine Science Center guided by facility manager, Chris Paparo. During the tour the campers learned about the various tools that marine scientists use to conduct their research. Using a trawl net, we caught many kinds of fascinating native and non-native organisms that can be found here on Long Island. Concluding the tour, the campers collected various samples of plankton to be observed and identified.

Campers used their identification skills to create a “shell key”. This shell key will be used to teach younger CEED campers about the various creatures that live in shells located in the Bellport Bay. The campers also discussed other kinds of marine organisms that could be found during their trip to the SOMAS research vessel.

Sanai is now a Track and Field student Athlete at Adelphi University. She is currently studying Exercise Science and pursuing a dream to become a Physician’s Assistant.

Sanai is photographed with Olympian, Connor Mantzs, and says she has been blessed to meet many profesional athletes while competing at the collegiate level.

This was the second year of our two year grant commitment to Harlem Lacrosse which has helped the organization hit major milestones. Over the last 5 years Harlem Lacrosse has grown to 20 high school programs supporting over 100 graduates annually. Our grant, your donation, will help send almost 250 students to college over the next two years. To put that in perspective, that is as many as the Harlem Lacrosse organization was able to send in their first 15 years. We know our grant is helping in creating these amazing numbers. Thank you!

We strongly believe in the DREAM Difference. The DREAM Difference is stated as such: “It’s believing, unequivocally, that every child can thrive when given the right opportunities, and then backing that belief with bold action.”

Our summer grant contributes to the REALKids 5 week summer program for DREAM’s 3 school sites in East Harlem and the South Bronx. This program helps prevent learning loss each student would have experienced during the summer through academic instruction, social-emotional learning, and health and wellness.

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DREAM is able to accomplish success in retention while dealing with community demographics. For example, East Harlem’s poverty rate is nearly 40% and the graduation rate in the South Bronx is below 65%. The work they do is profound and we are proud to be a part of their impact.

In 2024 we proudly continued our support for the Mary Brennon INN Soup Kitchen by donating $1,000 to provide hot meals over the holidays.

The INN continues to assist those in need with a range of essential services.