On October 25th, Long Island Crisis Center and the City of Long Beach hosted the first "Let's Walk, Let's Talk: Stepping Together to Prevent Suicide" walk on the Long Beach Boardwalk. LICC would like to thank the following sponsors: NationalGrid, Creative Florist, Pop's Wine & Spirits, Geico, Legislator Dave Denenberg, Allegria Hotel & Spa, Joyce Colletti of Prudential Douglas Elliman, The Carol Kestenbaum Foundation, The Nicole Schiffman Foundation, and Legislator Diane Yatauro.
A special thanks goes out to Legislator Denise Ford and the City of Long Beach. At left is LICC Executive Director Linda Leonard with Legislator Denise Ford at the walk.
A highlight of the program that preceded the walk was a moving speech by Long Beach resident Maureen Coyle. With her son Brian at her side, Maureen spoke about the loss of her son Christopher to suicide last year. LICC thanks Maureen and Brian for the courage it took to share their personal story.
Over 200 walkers spent the day raising over $12,000 for critical suicide counseling services provided by Long Island Crisis Center, through online fundraising as well as day-of support. LICC is grateful to all those who turned up in support of suicide prevention and the work of LICC.
Executive Director Linda Leonard accepts a $500 check from local businessman Gary Smith. Gary is the former owner of Bellmore's Brokerage Club. As owner, Gary ran almost 100 benefits for local organizations each year at the Brokerage. After selling the business three years ago, he continues to raise money at local venues through his New York Entertainment Club. This year he wanted to "keep it local," and generously donated half of the proceeds from a recent event in Huntington Village to LICC.
Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (right) acknowledged Executive Director Linda Leonard’s more than 30 years of service with an entry into the Congressional Record. “Ms. Leonard has brought support to numerous groups on the Long Island,” the record reads, “and has brought LICC from its very humble beginnings to an established multi-service agency. The people of Long Island are in debt to the work of this committed woman.”
LICC Volunteer Whitney holds Baby “Hope” as Children of Hope Director Tim Jaccard looks on. Having kept her pregnancy secret and in labor in her car, the baby’s mother was desperate for help and called the Children of Hope hotline. She was connected with Tim who helped rescue her and the baby. LICC counselors have been answering the Children of Hope hotline since 2000.
Long Island Fund for Women and Girls (LIFWG) awarded LICC’s Street Outreach Project with a $5450 grant for cultural and educational activities for young women. Pictured at the awards event are LIFWG President Laurel Parker West (center), SOP Coordinator Erika Anthony (left) and LICC Executive Director Linda Leonard. Erika is planning trips to museums and plays for the girls in her groups at Roosevelt and Westbury schools.
