Newsletter Vol. 5

Anchor’s 50th Kicks Off In Style

Thanks to the efforts of many employees, parents, volunteers we kicked off A.N.C.H.O.R’s 50th Anniversary with some terrific programs and events for the entire community - and there’s much more to come!

We started the 50th year off right with our Fall/Winter/Spring program returning to 11 weeks of programming. Our partners at Anchor program Fund, Inc. sponsored several terrific events to make the Saturday program even more enjoyable for participants. Wantagh 2 had a grand holiday celebration at the Coral House, while Wantagh 1 went on several exciting trips and, for the first time, used our building.

Our Saturday program also returned to Malone-Mulhall Recreation Center for a springtime finish with Bobby’s Bounce Boot Camp, introducing new means of exercise for our teen and adult groups, while other participants enjoyed a day at the movies. On both days, A.N.C.H.O.R employees and volunteers enjoyed a catered breakfast, courtesy of APF.

Our Drama program wrapped up Sandy Braun’s 30th season with a spectacular production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. We thank the Lindy Loo Foundation for continuing to support our annual drama show.

Anchor Program Fund sponsored and organized several special events for the A.N.C.H.O.R family to kick off our 50th year, including Bingo Night, Halloween Movie Day, Family Paint Day, a holiday extravaganza and our first-ever Square Dance. As the photos on the next page show, these events were well-attended and a good time was had by all.

The A.N.C.H.O.R Aktion Club organized our annual Beach Clean-Up. More than 60 volunteers, including members of the Peninsula, Oceanside and Long Beach Kiwanis clubs, joined us on a recent Saturday morning to get our beach ready for opening day.

We’re also excited that we received a grant from the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation to support a new Equine Therapy program, as well as our first-ever grant from Bethpage Federal Credit Union to support the continuation of Bounce Boot Camp.

There are so many wonderful things happening at A.N.C.H.O.R this year and we thank the A.N.C.H.O.R family and Town of Hempstead for supporting the work we do each day on behalf of your children and loved ones.

MaryAnn Hanson
Acting Coordinator, A.N.C.H.O.R

Bethpage Federal Credit Union Awards Grant for Fitness Program

Anchor Program Fund, Inc. applied for and received a grant from Bethpage Federal Credit Union that will support the continuation of a fitness boot camp for A.N.C.H.O.R participants who are in the teen and adult groups.

Bobby’s Bounce Boot Camp is run by Bounce Boot Company, founded by former NFL player, Thomas Hill. A.N.C.H.O.R ran a pilot of the program last year.

“Many of our sons and daughters struggle with weight issues as a result of their disabilities” said Anna Dragone, a member of APF’s Board of Directors and parent to a camper. “Bounce Boot Camp is a wonderful program because the fitness experience is tailored to our children’s unique needs.”

This is the first grant APF has received from Bethpage Federal Credit Union. “We are very pleased to support Anchor Program Fund’s fitness program and look forward to building a partnership with A.N.C.H.O.R through this impactful program,” said Lind Armyn, Senior Vice President for Corporate Affairs, Bethpage Federal Credit Union.

For more information about the boot camp, call A.N.C.H.O.R at (516) 431-6946.

Anchor Program Fund Welcomes New Board Members

Anchor Program Fund, Inc. welcomes Adam Berman, Patricia Kilduff, Paul Lawless, and Robert McGinn to its Board of Directors, bringing the total number of directors to 13.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Board to make this beautiful and meaningful organization the best it can be,” said Rob McGinn.

John McKenna has been named Board Vice President, succeeding Amy Makar. Mary Campbell has stepped into the role of Board Secretary.

“We thank outgoing Board members Lisa Davis (formerly Secretary) and Patricia Kenny (former Assistant Treasurer) for their many years of service to APF and A.N.C.H.O.R,” said Ellen Papalia, Board President.