In contrast to last year's deluge, The Zonta Club of Greater Queens, supported by The Rotary Club of Gold Coast/Lake Success, had a gorgeous, sunny day this past April 29, for their second annual "R.A.V.E." (Rape and Violence Eradication) Walk. The event was again held at Clinton Martin Park in New Hyde Park and helped the following organizations to continue their crucial work: Child Abuse Prevention Services (CAPS/LI); Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CADVNC); Mount Sinai/Queens Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention (SAVI); and the Center for the Women of NY (CWNY).

At the Rave Walk.

This community-wide event attracted over 70 people and local speakers for the event. Before the walk, The Great Neck Girl Scouts provided the color guard, led the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem, followed by Alyssa Greengrass' beautiful solo flute rendition of America the Beautiful. Grant Siegel, "RAVE" Walk committee chairman, enthusiastically led most of the proceedings. The Rev. Doretha Custis set the somber tone on the importance of combating domestic violence by citing the dreadful statistics of abuse and reading, I Got Flowers Today, an inspirational poem from a murdered domestic violence victim. Mary Loughrey, president, Zonta Club of Greater Queens and Ivan McDonald, president, Rotary Club Gold Coast /Lake Success, expressed their appreciation to all who participated. Dr. Karen Siegel, Zonta International District 3, Area 1 director, spoke on social activism and advocacy, and then introduced the Honorable Michelle Schimel, newly elected 16th AD NYS Assemblywoman, an ardent anti-violence advocate herself. Representatives of the four organizations were Susan Silverman of CAPS, Sharon Hoahing of the CADVNC, Alexa Ponce of SAVI, and Ann Jawin of the CWNY, who all stressed the important message that interpersonal violence is an issue we all have to address, individually and as a society. The costs to society are too much to be ignored or tolerated! Proclamations were received from our NYS Comptroller, Thomas DiNapoli; Queens County Councilman Addabbo; and from Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Kaiman, delivered by TNH Officials Ellen Birnbaum and ZCGQ member, Deena Lesser.

The walk itself (a total of 2 miles from Clinton Martin Park to the edge of Queens County and back) was well conducted by Ron Francomano, Walk captain, and five very helpful officers from Nassau County's 3rd Precinct and the Auxiliary Police. A lively, diverse group of people and canines walked merrily, gaining much excellent public visibility while sharing great fellowship and camaraderie! The public's responses to our signs, hats and T-shirts were all very positive with a lot of waving, thumbs-up, car-honking and heart-warming smiles.

Our sponsors and donors made this event a resounding success- helping us to even exceed last year's first "RAVE" Walk donations. Major corporate sponsors who all provided funds and support over $500 each were The Community National Bank, Great Neck; Looseleaf Law Publications, Inc., The Treiber Group, and The Food Emporium, Great Neck. A special prize again went to Rajdaye Ragbir of the Great Neck Post Office for her amazing work, obtaining support from over 80 co-workers and friends, raising funds over $600!