The Garden City Hotel's annual tree lighting ceremony was even more special this year as the event honored the late Michael Tenaglia of Garden City, who lost his battle to esophageal cancer this past September, his wife, Patti and their four children.

With more than 100 residents attending, hotel president Cathy Nelkin Miller kicked off the celebration, saying, "What makes the tree lighting so special for me personally is that it celebrates what really counts in life - the joy of coming together with family, friends and good neighbors. It's a chance to leave our busy schedules behind for a few minutes to give thanks and usher in another holiday season.

"As I look around tonight I see so many happy faces, especially the children, who are waiting to see Santa Claus. But I also see what makes each of us so fortunate to be a part of this community. Sure the surrounding area has beautiful homes and shops. But most importantly it has you - warm, compassionate people who really care about their neighbors. This tree lighting is our way of saying 'thank you' to Garden City and to all our wonderful friends and neighbors. We appreciate and value the relationships we have built together and look forward to many, many more years of service to you all," she said.

As the St. Paul's Greek Orthodox Church choir performed holiday favorites, children anxiously awaited their much-anticipated visit with Santa. Monsignor Thomas Hartman, president of Telecare, reflected on Christmases past. Reminding residents that during the holiday season it's important to always take time to do something for the less fortunate, he said, "In the early days, Christmas wasn't celebrated with the exchanging of gifts. A rich bishop by the name of Saint Nicholas would make little pockets of gold. He'd figure out the poor families in his parish and at night he'd throw one of those pockets of gold into their window."

Hartman continued, saying, "The Christmas tree only came about around 1850. It was a tree that represented life. But in order for it to have life, it needed lights. The lights represented the idea that God would always be a light in our lives - if we were ill, if we were struggling, if we were at war, if we needed at all - God would be there. And so I pray at this Christmas season that we will be generous to the poor and return to God in our deepest needs."

Deputy Mayor Barbara Miller, who on behalf of Village Mayor Robert Lewis and the board of trustees, had the distinct honor for the second year of bringing greetings. "As a health professional I know that I am very touched and pleased that they [Patti and Michael Tenaglia] started [the MIRACLE] Foundation. Also, it's wonderful to stand by two very strong women who really demonstrate leadership here - Patti you're one of them and so are you Cathy," Miller said. "Also, I want to offer all the residents, on behalf of the mayor and all the trustees, a very healthy, happy and peaceful holiday season. I need to extend to President Cathy Nelkin Miller and to Executive Vice President Patrick Smalley of the Garden City Hotel for continuing to host a tradition that so many in this community find so wonderful every year."

Upon introducing Patti to the podium, Nelkin Miller praised the resident, saying, "Patti ... personifies the spirit of caring and seems to inspire everyone she meets. While Michael lost his long and courageous battle with cancer, Patti continued the effort to find a cure for this disease and is helping to raise funds for the MIRACLE Building at Mercy Medical Center. The building will allow Long Islanders to receive premiere treatment right here without having to travel to New York City. The Garden City Hotel salutes Patti for her unwavering commitment to seeing a dream fulfilled. We hope that you will take the time to learn more about the MIRACLE Foundation and the good work it is performing on behalf of all Long Islanders."

Members of Garden City High School's MIRACLE Club performed their newly recorded song, One by One, which was inspired by the late Michael Tenaglia. The students plan to sell the song on CD, raising funds for the foundation.

"Thank you for honoring us tonight and in such a special way, honoring Michael and his efforts and accomplishments. I am proud of what we've been able to achieve through the MIRACLE Foundation in a relatively short time. The research we've been able to fund, the health awareness forums that we've sponsored and of course, the creation of the MIRACLE Building, which will be a brand new, state-of-the-art cancer treatment center located just a few miles from here," Patti said.

"As proud as I am of all the things we've accomplished, I'm always mindful of the fact that none of it would have happened without the support of our friends, our family and this incredibly caring and giving community. Michael was fond of saying that the real story of the MIRACLE Foundation is the story of how a community rallied together to support a cause - the fight against cancer," she said.

Going forward, Patti said that she and the trustees of the MIRACLE Foundation remain more committed - using Michael's example - to make a difference. "We will continue to create awareness so that people detect cancer early. We will continue to fund breakthrough research, like the two grants we're funding now of which I'm so proud - one at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and one at Johns Hopkins University Medical Center," she said. Moreover, she said the MIRACLE Building at Mercy Medical Center will have the capacity to offer 25,000 to 30,000 outpatient cancer treatment visits per year.

"I just want to say thank you on a personal level for the love and support you've shown my children and myself," she said in closing. "And, especially tonight, I thank you for your support of the MIRACLE Foundation - for believing in us and for enabling us to make a difference in the lives of those that are diagnosed with cancer."

As Patti and her four children hit the switch, the hotel's Christmas tree gleamed in a community that Patti says has truly shown the season's true meaning - the gift of giving.