By Barbara Morris
Every start of a new year makes me feel that I'm entering some kind of contest. How will things go? What will be accomplished? We try not to worry about it – just hope for the best.
Unfortunately, every year seems to hold a share of sadness, but if we work hard enough to find things to cheer us up, the happy times are the things we remember.
As mentioned in previous columns, the Cornucopia Society Food Pantry at 138-10 Brookville Boulevard, Rosedale, lost valued volunteers this year. Some of our nice clients either moved or passed away. We miss them.
Life, and our attempts to be helpful, do continue. At 11:30 a.m. Dec. 9 , our widely advertised Cornucopia Society 50/50 Draw Raffle came to an end. Although one of our directors, Joe Locoteta, is on our prayer list due to illness, and was therefore absent, our executive director, Frederick Kress, and our other director, Bryan Korman, were present to officiate at the drawing for the winners.
As we stood in that very cold, damp room, waiting for the big moment, we laughed, remembering the shocked silence that had fallen in that very same spot when this contest had been announced. Bryan had made the announcement, which went something like this: “Ladies and gentlemen, we need money. We need to fix this building so that the roof is permanently repaired, the water that comes into the building comes in through pipes instead of through holes in the roof. We need a heating system that works. We need a lighting system that we can depend on. The alternates will either be to close or to move.”
Fred spoke next. “The Rosedale Sports Association has been very generous, letting us use the space we have, rent free. Space like that is hard to find, especially since we don't want to move to a location that would mean abandoning nice people who have come to depend on us. So, we have decided to have a contest – $20 a chance to win the 50/50 Draw.
There was total silence. Then, as if with one voice, the other volunteers all yelled, “Twenty dollars? Are you kidding?”
They were not. The tickets had been printed and each volunteer who was at least willing to try to make sales, was given a number of tickets.
Sales went slowly at first. The Times-Ledger was very helpful with several mentions, and a few days just before Thanksgiving, having the generous offer from Nora Gaetani and the Management Company of Douglas Elliman Beitler of EAB Plaza in Uniondale, to let volunteers sell chances in front of the magnificent waterfall in a beautiful tropical gardens setting, seemed to do wonders. We are grateful to all who helped to promote our efforts.
The drawing itself was interesting. Eagle Scout Fred, and Bryan, had constructed a very official looking drum out of hardware cloth, a dowel, and corrugated board. They made a door in the drum that kept the entries inside as the drum rolled around to mix all the entries up.
Just before the entries were dropped into the drum, Bryan asked if anyone wanted to cheek to make sure his or her entry was there. No one did. These two gentlemen have worked so hard for this cause, and are such sticklers for everything being right, there was just no need.
Finally, the time came.
The winner of Prize No.1, $1.500, lives in Franklin Square. Bryan was the only one who knew him but he said he not only bought a chance himself, but volunteered to sell additional chances, and did that.
the winner of Prize No. 2, $900, lives in Rockville Center, and bought her ticket from Bryan's wife, Diana, (who came in third for selling tickets, with Bryan being first, and Fred second).
Prize No. 3, $600, went to one of our own who lives in Rosedale. We were happy for all the winners , but when our very own friend won, we all cheered.
If you didn't have a chance to play, don't worry. More and less expensive contests will be coming, because we will need funds!
