More than 120 devoted volunteers kicked up their heels and shared a wonderful evening of festivities that included dancing, laughter and delicious food at the recent 2006 Volunteer Recognition Dinner, hosted by the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island. Held at Koenig's restaurant in Floral Park, the volunteers, who are the "heart" of the House, were honored for their outstanding efforts during an award ceremony.

In addition to bestowing a first time "service award" to long-time volunteer Joe O'Donnell of Floral Park, special award recipients included Dorothy Donofrio, Vinnie DeGregorio, Ed Bochynski, Connie Holub and Rosanne Tytonne. Awards were also given to 20-year volunteers who have been with the House since it opened in 1986. Those volunteers were Dottie Bittan, Dot Browe, Vera Fiechter, Goldie Waters and Bernice Glass.

Fred and MaryAnne Dorgler, residents of Floral Park Village for the past 14 years, were named the 2006 Volunteers of the Year. This award is given annually to a thoughtful and caring recipient who has dedicated many years to the House. MaryAnne has been a volunteer at the House for the past 14 years; Fred for the last seven.

"We are so flattered to be chosen as Volunteers of the Year," MaryAnne said. "The House generates so much love and you can see good things happening here. It radiates from all the people that work here and from the volunteers. The volunteers are a lovely group of people."

"So many people don't know what the Ronald McDonald House is - people don't realize that the House is for the families and that the volunteers want to help them," Fred added.

Fred and MaryAnne are married for the past 47 years and have three children and eight grandchildren, all of whom live in the Floral Park area. Fred is the previous owner of a third generation family-operated auto repair business located in Richmond Hill. After he retired, he passed the torch to his son, who is at the helm of the business today. MaryAnne was the secretary to the chief engineer at the House of Seagram; she devoted much of her life to raising her children.

Volunteering was an integral part of MaryAnne's lifestyle while she was raising her children. She was an active participant in the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and was a basketball coach for many years. In addition to volunteering, MaryAnne's hobbies include crocheting, bowling and teaching religion at Our Lady of Victory Church in Floral Park. Fred enjoys fishing, hunting, bowling, gardening, carpentry and working on his children's houses. A self-professed "jack of all trades," Fred recently built a Ronald McDonald House float for Garden City High School, which appeared in the Garden City parade this past spring.

Although the couple is humble when asked why they devote much of their lives to the House, they become reflective and recall experiences with families who have touched them.

"I remember when the brick program began in 1996," MaryAnne said. "There are so many caring people - I even sold bricks at a wedding that I attended. People open their hearts to help sick children and their families."

But of their many achievements, Fred and MaryAnne are most proud of having three healthy children who have self-confidence and can meet any challenge set before them. While they are humble about their devotion to the House, their exemplary efforts are very noticeable to the staff and volunteers who applaud them for their service.

The Ronald McDonald House of Long Island provides families a home-away-from-home during their child's treatment at local hospitals. Located on the campus of Schneider Children's Hospital in New Hyde Park, the House has served more than 9,000 families since 1986, with more than half coming from the boroughs of New York and Long Island. The warm and supportive atmosphere at the House combined with the ability to be at their child's bedside within minutes is priceless to families.