!! PHOTOS !! Lynbrook Mayor's Golf Outing to support Community Chest

Lynbrook elected officials, business owners, law enforcement officers and everyone in between took part in this year’s Mayor’s Golf Outing in support of Lynbrook Community Chest. The generosity of the participants has put this year’s event on track to be the most successful in its nearly 70-year -ong history, according to Jeff Greenfield, its coordinator and the vice president of the village Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s Lynbrook businesses helping Lynbrook neighbors,” Greenfield said.

Community members enjoyed perfect weather this past Monday, August 14 for a day of golf at the Inwood Country Club, as well as breakfast, lunch and dinner. Raffle items included gift baskets, golf lessons, and a grand prize of a 65-inch smart TV. The money raised by the 144 golfers, for the raffles and through sponsorships from local businesses will benefit the Community Chest, a Village-sponsored charity. It will be presented to the organization at a village meeting next month.

“This is the major fundraiser for the Community Chest every year,” Rina Beach, a chair of the organization, said. “Whatever a family in the Village of Lynbrook needs, we’ll support that.”

Beach, Mayor Alan Beach’s wife, explained that the Community Chest uses the money throughout the year to support local individuals and families in need — whether that means help with groceries, school supplies, home repairs or other necessities.

“The Community Chest helps local people at a time of need,” Greenfield added “They do it quietly, anonymously, and with dignity for the people.”

Each year, the outing also honors an individual and a business that, in Beach’s words, “go above and beyond” for the community. John Giordano was born and raised in Lynbrook, has served the village for more than 40 years and has been its administrator since 2005. He received congressional recognition for preparing village budgets with no tax increases for a record 12 years in a row.

Giordano said he does his work for the people of Lynbrook, not for accolades. “People in my business, we’re here to serve,” he said. “We’re not looking for recognition. We’re not looking to take credit for any accomplishments. I get my satisfaction from knowing I can look at something and say I was responsible.”

“We don’t look at what we do as a job,” he added. “We look at it as a service.”

Giordano said that one of his favorite projects was the revitalization of Atlantic Avenue in the late 1990s. Now it is an attractive and thriving commercial center.

“It’s like watching a tree grow,” Giordano said. “You get the tree planted, and then you look at it 20 years later and you see how vibrant it has become.”

Michael’s Electric, a family business that has been in operation for more than 70 years, was also honored at the event. The Greenberg family has been involved in countless village projects over the years, including the Sept. 11 Memorial.

“We’re always trying to help out people when they come in with a need,” said David Greenberg, who accepted the honor on behalf of his family. “Anytime someone needs help or is doing a project, we’re happy to be involved.”

This was the third year Michael’s Electric has participated in the golf outing, and it has taken on more of the organizational work each year.

“It’s nice to be able to get involved on the committee, and meet other people that own businesses in the community that have great stories to tell,” Greenberg said. “That’s what I love to be a part of.”