By Barbara Morris
The Mader family has been well known for their works in our area and elsewhere for a long time.
Papa Paul recently received recognition for his 30 years of service as a member of American Legion Post 403. He is also editor of the newsletter for the Rosedale Lutheran Church of Christ
Dedication runs in the family. Thursday April 26, Mama Dolores had her day in the sun, or rather her night at the Y.
Dolores is one of those quite, unassuming good-fun community people who don’t hesitate to step forward whenever and wherever there is a need. She and Paul have raised their four children, Heidi, Ingrid, David and Rebecca to follow in their footsteps as responsible citizens. That alone is quite an accomplishment.
In her spare time, however Dolores participates in many activities of Christ Church, Rosedale Civic Association, the Cornucopia Society, the Board of Education’s Learning Leaders Program, the American Legion Post 483 Auxiliary, and teaches swimming to the physically challenged at the Cross Island YMCA, 238-10 Hillside Avenue, Bellerose (Phone 479-0505). In all there are 85 people (Dolores among them) who received awards for 50 hours of volunteer service (one hour per week) helping others. Special Service Awards for 100 hours of volunteer work went to 22 people and Outstanding Service Awards for unlimited volunteer work went to 11 more.
People helping people. That’s what life is all about, or should be. As the Y stated : “Volunteering — it’s about time and energy and caring and passion!” If you would like to avail yourself of some of the array of activities provided by the Cross island Y (especially since they have two inviting pools now that the summer heat is on its way), give them a call. if your would like to join some of the 250-plus adults and youth volunteers there, please contact Jean Dattner, Senior Program director, at 479-0505, Ext. 167.
In the meantime, congratulations to all awardees and those who arranged that great program from the decorations to the turkey dinner to the beautiful, young dancer from India. The entire evening was a pleasure and I was glad to see for myself what a nice place the Y is, after hearing about it for many years. From time to time I hope to be able to keep you up to date about more of their many activities.
The next day, April 27, a few of Precinct 105’s Nate Vincent’s fans went to No. 1 Police Plaza to attend the NYPD Promotions Ceremony. Nate is now Detective Sergeant Nate Vincent. That’s the good news. The bad news is the promotion required her transfer. We always enjoyed her cherry greetings when we phoned and appreciated her support when it was requested. We were happily surprised that afternoon when Assistant Chief Fox (now Commander of Brooklyn South) made his way over to congratulate her, to greet us, to ask us to tell all his Queens folks he still remembers us all fondly, and to invite us to attend Brooklyn South’s. Talent Show at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 30 at Brooklyn College. Tickets are $3. We certainly add our congratulations to Sgt. Tommy Ruzzita and P.O. Box Gail Griffiths on their moves, too.
Over my 33 years as a volunteer with the NYPD, I can’t even count the number of wonderful people I have met and worked with, some of whom are still in our area, some of whom have been transferred and some of whom have passed away. Somehow, remembering how hard they worked to save lives and improve the conditions in which we live, we still feel they are with us. It grieves me no end to hear that there are those who seem to be dedicating their time, talents and lives to trying to widen misunderstanding between the police and communities they serve. There are those who themselves have made gross errors in judgment, preach their own version of the Gospel, but fan the flames of unforgiveness — even for those who’ve been exonerated.
Unless learn to live and work together with the police, we may some day find ourselves without them. There will then be no safety for anyone. The members of the NYPD who have already served us beyond the call of duty and those who are still willing to try, deserve and need our support.
And they need a raise.
