The Lynbrook Community Awards Night, hosted by Mayor Alan Beach and sponsored by the Lynbrook New Vision Party, was held at the Knights of Columbus in Lynbrook on Feb. 1, 2019. The event honored several Lynbrook residents for their outstanding contributions to the community.

The night started with welcoming speeches from Mayor Beach, Trustee AnnMarie Reardon, Trustee Michael Hawxhurst, and Trustee Robert Boccio.  Each spoke briefly of the purpose of the awards night. Hawxhurst explained, “The mayor hosts the awards night to highlight and award some of the great people who do so much in our village to make it the wonderful place it is. So many people do so much, and as a village, we want to say thank you to them for everything they have done. Lynbrook wouldn’t be the special place we call home without these people who volunteer their time to help so many people.”

Awards were then presented to several Lynbrook residents. Tara Milillo, a Lynbrook parent, was honored as Woman of the Year for her active role in the community and years of volunteering with community organizations. Milillo stated, “Receiving the Woman of the Year honor was exciting and came as a surprise.  I began volunteering with the CYO program and other groups in Lynbrook to be a part of my children’s lives and make their community feel like home. Now it is just a part of my life, and I feel really special to have a town, which makes me feel so welcomed and appreciated.”

Siobhan Stapleton, a senior at LHS; her mother, Kelly Stapleton; Kyle Bergin, an LHS class of 2018 graduate and freshman at Manhattan College; and his mother, Julie Bergin, were honored as Humanitarians of the Year for their work with Swim Across America for which they raised funds to fight cancer. Siobhan Stapleton said, “It was amazing to receive this honor. It meant a lot to me to take swimming, something I love, and do something good with it through Swim Across America, so it was great to be recognized for that.”

The Craft Kitchen and Tap House was awarded business of the year. It opened three years ago, and has been involved in the community since by supporting many local fundraisers.

Joseph Neve, former chief of police, was awarded Lynbrook Police Department First Responder of the Year, and Robert Cribbin was awarded Lynbrook Fire Department First Responder of the Year. Joseph McCarthy, Korean War Veteran, was awarded Veteran of the Year.

The Lynbrook Neighborhood Watch, with founding members Mike Davies, Vice President of the chamber of commerce, and Danielle DiGiuseppe, a teacher at Marion Street and Lynbrook parent, was awarded Community Group of the Year.

The mayor added one special honoree to the program, US Marine Corps Major and Lynbrook Police Officer Patrick Kelly.  Kelly recently returned from a tour overseas and was honored for his service to the country and to the Lynbrook community.

Beach stated, “It was a great night. The honorees are important to the unique fabric of our community. They are committed to service by offering their time and talents to improve the lives of others in our village. This is why Lynbrook has the reputation of a loving, caring community.” A buffet dinner was served, which was catered by Vincent’s.

Many residents who attended the dinner were impressed by the night. Milillo commented, “The feeling of family was evident throughout the night as I could share it with my husband, children, friends, and neighbors.  It is so great to reconnect with familiar faces and celebrate many deserving people for all they have done for Lynbrook, which makes me proud to call it home.”