Chamber Members Make Generous Donations To Child Life Program At Winthrop

AnnMarie DiFrancesca, Dir. of Child Life Program and Tony Libertella, Dean, Hagerdorn School of Business, Adelphi University in the Child Life Activity Room

Special thanks to Anthony (Tony) F. Libertella, Ph.D., J.D. Dean, Hagerdorn School of Business and Special Assistant to the President for Business Development, Adelphi University and immediate Past President of the Garden City Chamber for sponsoring an early Valentine's Day Party in conjunction with Suzanne Eigl, Associate Broker,Taylor Warner Realty and Chairperson Twigs of Winthrop University's Auxillliary Pediatric Program. The party was for the pediatric patients of the Hagerdorn Pediatric Unit of the hospital. The party was held in the Child Life Program activity room. The children were treated to pizza, ice cream, beanie baby goodie bags, and arts and crafts courtesy of Twigs.

Tony and Suzanne spent time visiting with the kids and handing out the pizza, ice cream, and of course the goodie bags! Tony was great with the kids. He really helped to brighten up their day. His cheerful way was well received by all of the kids he visited and they were sorry to see him leave! Tony also got the chance to learn about all of the activities that are sponsored by the Child Life Program. Tony was impressed by all that this program accomplishes to help the kids during their stay in the hospital.

Chamber luncheon- left to right: AnnMarie DiFrancesca, Dir. Child Life Program and Tony Libertella, Dean, Hagerdorn School of Business, Adelphi University, Suzanne Eigl, Assoc. Broker Taylor Warner Realty and Twigs of Winthrop

The generous donations to the Pediatric Unit of a much needed 20" state of the art television and DVD player along with the Cars movie and a Charlie Brown Baseball DVD movie were made by Tony Libertella and Adelphi University's Hagerdorn School of Business to the Pediatric Unit. Suzanne Eigl, on behalf of her family donated the other much needed 20" television, DVD player, a Cinderella computer game, and the new Cinderella movie to the Pediatric Radiation Treatment Unit in loving memory of her mom, Marilyn who passed away from cancer in 2005.

The party was a big hit! AnnMarie DiFrancesca, Director of the Child Life Program could not have been more happy to have had the participation of Tony and Adelphi University. She was delighted with the new televisions, DVD players, and movies that were up and running in no time. The kids were thrilled to watch the new movies on Tuesday.

Left to right: Nicole,Child Life Specialist, Suzanne Eigl,Taylor Warner Realty, and AnnMarie DiFrancesca, Dir. Child Life Program, and Tony Libertella, Dean, Hagerdorn School of Business, Adelphi University with their donations

AnnMarie welcomes more members of the Garden City Chamber of Commerce to sponsor such an event or to donate items from her Wish List to the Child Life Program. AnnMarie and Suzanne were recently exhibitors courtesy of Taylor Warner Realty at the January Chamber Luncheon. They wish to thank everyone who signed up to help out with parties or donations to the Child Life Program. AnnMarie feels these parties and donations are a great way for the Chamber Community to become involved in the Child Life Program, which is funded entirely by private donations.

For more information on sponsoring a party or making a donation, please contact Suzanne Eigl at (516) 384-4773.

Tracey Gittere, Legendary Events will be sponsoring the St. Patrick's Day Party.