Curran Honors Local Women for Community Efforts

NYS Assemblyman Brian Curran presented awards to eight local ladies from Lynbrook, Malverne, East Rockaway, Rockville Centre, Oceanside, Baldwin and South Hempstead this past Saturday.

“Each of these ladies has earned the recognition as a Woman of Distinction, Curran said. “Their hard work, commitment, and determination have made [these communities better places] … to live and raise a family.”

One very special lady honored was Audrey Morrow, of Malverne. Morrow recently celebrated her 90th birthday and for the past 60 years that she has made Malverne her home she's worked tirelessly volunteering her time to organizations like the American Red Cross at Mercy Medical Center Cancer Unit, The Rosary Altar Society and the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, to name a few. She’s also served as recording secretary for Friends of the Malverne Library since 1965 and has been a board member for more than 40 years.

Another outstanding accomplishment is her immeasurable work with Books for Veterans. Monies collected from the program are given to the Northport Veterans Hospital, where reading materials and magazine subscriptions are purchased for our servicemen and women.

Julie Bergin, of Lynbrook, was also among the eight award winners. Bergin made outstanding strides in her community, dedicating her time as an education advocate. As a mom, she understands the importance of having a good relationship with her children’s teachers and applies this knowledge to her work in enhancing communication between the home and school.  Thus, Bergin was selected to represent New York at Parenting Magazine’s Mom Congress on Education and Learning Conference in Washington, D.C. in late April.

As an active member in her local PTA, she also assists with fundraising, creating websites and Facebook accounts for SEPTA and many local schools. She also volunteers her time to helping organizations such as Swim Across America, raising more than $20,000 last year for cancer research. Begin has selflessly devoted much of her time and is truly a leader in her community.

Lynbrook resident Patricia Hickey also earned an award for her contributions to the community. Brought into Girl Scouting by her mother Doris, Hicey has shared her love of scouting with each of her children and others’.  She acts as the religious leader for her son’s troop, and since 1996 as a Girl Scout Leader for her daughter’s troop, where she re-creates some of her most enjoyable memories as a child, while opening up the girls to new and wonderful experiences. Her commitment to the Girl Scouting movement is vital and is a tribute of keeping strong traditions and support for community alive and well.   

Hickey has also dedicated herself to organizations such as the Religious Education Program at St. Raymond’s, the Lynbrook PTA program, and Parents and Friends of Music at Lynbrook High School.

As part of Saturday’s presentation, eight troops from Girl Scouts of E.L.L.M., (East Rockaway, Lynbrook, Lakeview, and Malverne) joined Hickey on stage to sing her a very special E.L.L.M song, a tradition she started.

Other award winners were Cathy Dapolito (Oceanside), Gail Schwarting (South Hempstead), Joan Flatley (Baldwin), Theresa Gaffney (East Rockaway) and Marilyn Nunes Devlin (Rockville Centre).

“I am extremely proud of these eight ladies … and I am truly grateful that they reside in the community of the 14th Assembly District that I represent,” Curran added.