The Community Chest of Port Washington

The People of Port Helping the People of Port

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Citizen of the Year

Community Chest of Port Washington To Honor Claudia Caruso Rouhana As Citizen of the Year on May 6

The Community Chest announced that it has selected Claudia Caruso Rouhana as the 2012 Citizen of the Year, for her extraordinary contributions to the Port Washington community. She will be honored at a ceremony to be held on Monday, May 6, 2013 at 7:30 p.m., at the Port Washington Public Library. The Community Chest’s Citizen of the Year Award recognizes “a lifetime of outstanding volunteer service on behalf of the citizens of Port Washington” and has been awarded annually since 1969. The Citizen of the Year ceremony and reception are free and all members of the community are invited to attend.

“We are pleased to honor Claudia, an individual whose commitment to Port Washington has been so extraordinary,” said Neil Lazar, president of Community Chest. “Claudia has always been interested in improving the quality of life for all in our Community and personifies the Community Chest’s motto of The People of Port Helping the People of Port. We invite the Port Washington community to attend this wonderful event, honoring Claudia, on May 6th.”

Claudia Caruso Rouhana has long been an advocate for the needs of children and families. Her volunteer efforts have helped provide needed services in the fields of childcare and education to many, especially those of limited means, in both our community and Nassau County. She has been associated with many Port Washington community organizations including several at which she was the President of the Board of Directors, including the Port Washington Education Foundation (PWEF) and the Port Washington Children’s Center. Claudia was President of Board of Directors of the Childcare Council of Nassau County, as well as holding board positions on many PTAs when her children were in school. Additionally, through her affiliation with the Ozymandias Fund of the Tides Foundation, for which she makes recommendations for grants, many organizations which serve these populations have received thousands of dollars to help carry out their missions.

To honor Claudia, the Community Chest will be preparing a Journal and invites all community members to support the journal. For more information on the event, please call the Community Chest at (516) 767-2121 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Community Chest of Port Washington enables non-profit organizations to achieve successful outcomes. It raises money from individuals and companies and then distributes grants to non-profit organizations dedicated to improving the lives of Port Washington residents. Grants are awarded to 25 non-profit organizations that provide a wide range of services. The Community Chest also provides office space at below-market rates to not-for-profit organizations to help them achieve their missions.

Myron Blumrenfeld Honored By The Community Cest

The Community Chest of Port Washington honored Myron Blumenfeld with its Citizen of the Year Award, recognizing his many contributions to the Port Washington community – including his leadership at Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington, the Port Washington Parks Conservancy and the Port Washington Library. At the event on May 7th at the library, young and old packed the room to praise the 84-year old “curmudgeon” and “friend to many” who has made such an impact on Port Washington.

Among the many local community leaders at the event, Mike was recognized by Tom DiNapoli, New York State Controller; Wayne Wink, Nassau County Legislator; Jon Kaiman, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor; Charles Berman, Town Receiver of Taxes and Leslie Gross, Town Clerk; Sandy Ehrlich, Larry Greenstein and Roy Nelson of the School Board; Curt Trinko and Eric Pick of Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington; Nancy Curtin from the Library; Jennifer Wilson-Pines of the Port Washington Parks Conservancy; and Warren Schein, of the Port Washington Chamber of Commerce.

“Mike exemplifies the spirit of community here in Port Washington, and we all benefit from his dedicated service,” said Nancy Cowles, Community Chest President. “He never hesitates to speak out and in many ways has become Port’s environmental conscience. His many activities in the community continue to improve the lives of all.”

Port Washington Clergy Association Honored By Community Chest As Citizen of the Year 2010

The Port Washington Clergy Association was honored as Community Chest of Port Washington’s Citizen of the Year at a moving ceremony held on Monday evening, June 6, 2011, at Paul D. Schreiber High School. The Chest’s Citizen of the Year Award recognizes “Outstanding Volunteer Service on Behalf of The Citizens of Port Washington” and has been awarded annually since 1969. The 2009 Citizen of the Year was Leonard Wurzel, longtime Mayor of Sands Point.

The inspiring program included Community Chest Tributes and a presentation of the Citizen of the Year Obelisk (which is displayed at the Port Washington Public Library). This was followed up with entertainment by Peter Pickow (music professional and son of folk legend Jean Ritchie), Community and School District tributes and the Presentations of Proclamations by Elected Officials. The ceremony ended with a touching thank you from Rev’d Dr. Charles Vogeley (convener of the Port Washington Clergy Association). Refreshments in the Atrium behind the Auditorium concluded the event.

Mayor Wurzel of Sands Point Named Citizens of the Year by the Community Chest

The Community Chest of Port Washington announced the selection of Leonard Wurzel as its “Citizen of the Year,” for a lifetime of volunteer achievement. The Port Washington community is invited to come honor Leonard Wurzel on Wednesday, April 14^th at 7:30 p.m. at the Community Chest awards ceremony, held at the Community Synagogue.

The Port Washington Community Chest established the prestigious Citizen of the Year Award, more than 20 years ago to honor outstanding volunteer service in the field of health, education and welfare in the Port Washington community.

“Leonard Wurzel has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for all, and we are proud to recognize him as Citizen of the Year,” said Richard Strautman, President of the Community Chest.

Barbara and Tom Faticone Named 37th Citizens of the Year by the Community Chest

The Community Chest of Port Washington announced the selection of Barbara and Tom Faticone for its 37th “Citizen of the Year” Award, for a lifetime of volunteer achievement. The Port Washington community is invited to come honor Barbara and Tom on Thursday, June 4 at 7:30 p.m. at the Community Chest awards ceremony, held at the Port Washington library.

The Port Washington Community Chest established the prestigious Citizen of the Year Award, more than 20 years ago to honor outstanding volunteer service in the field of health, education and welfare in the Port Washington community.

“The Faticone’s many contributions to the Port Washington community exemplify the Chest’s commitment to facilitate the “people of Port helping the People of Port,” said Richard Strautman, Presdent of the Community Chest. “The community is invited to attend this free event and to support the Barbara and Tom through the Citizens of the Year Journal. For more information, contact the Community Chest office at 767-2121.”