As Dr. Jacklyn Nogan was installed for her third term as president of the Levittown Chamber of Commerce, she and the board took the opportunity to honor members of the community who have distinguished themselves in the past year.

Among those honored at this annual event were members of the Levittown-Island Trees Youth Council, Lois Cornibert, and Ed Rudnicki. Many other members of the chamber were also recognized for their contributions throughout the year.

The Levittown-Island Trees Youth Council was the recipient of the Chamber's Community Service Award. The Youth Council, comprised of 15 different sports organizations, provides athletic programs for 10,000 children in the Levittown-Island Trees area. A presence in the community for the last 46 years, the Levittown-Island Trees Youth Council actively sponsors the CAPIT Program in the Island Trees School District, administers the financial operation of both the summer YES program and music program in that district, operates a summer recreation program in the Levittown School District which had over 700 children signed up for it last summer, and sponsors a youth bowling program in conjunction with Levittown Lanes. In addition, The Levittown-Island Trees Youth Council sponsors several scholarship programs in the community and is an active member of both the Chamber of Commerce and the Community Council, and actively supports the Levittown Kiwanis as volunteers at their annual 5K Levittown run.

Led by Executive Director Kevin Regan since 1985, the board of the council also includes, Doug Wipperman, vice-chairperson; Dolph Queripel, treasurer; Helena Dwyer, secretary; and Dennis Machado, public relations. The members of the youth council are: Levittown Athletic Club, led by President Vincent Cavataio; Levittown Tomahawks, led by Director Joe Carracino; Levittown Central L.I. Baseball, led by President Kevin Joyce; Levittown North Baseball, led by President Patrick Roach; Levittown South-Wantagh Baseball, led by President Rick Williams; Levittown West Little League, led by President Glen Brannigan; Levittown Red Devils Football, led by Commissioner Dennis Machado; Levittown Soccer Club, led by President Mike Gennaro; St. Bernard's Youth Basketball, led by President Skip Abrams; Island Trees Soccer Club, led by President Phil Goldberg; Island Trees Baseball, led by President Nick Sguigna; Levittown Senior League, led by President Mike Vecchione; NC PAL Levittown Unit, led by President Ed Lloyd; Levittown Swimming Association, led by President Kerry Fallarino; and Levittown Ice Hockey Club, led by President Tom Mastroiani.

Lois Cornibert, of the Levittown Astoria Federal Savings Bank, was the recipient of the President's Award. Cornibert has been a part of the Levittown community for 13 years and a member of the Levittown Chamber of Commerce for 10 years. She served as the chamber's vice president for three years and has been an active member of the board for six years. In addition to her work at the bank and her involvement with the chamber of commerce, Cornibert also served two years on the board of the YOM Community Center and has been involved with AHRC. Lois and her husband Gary are residents of Massapequa.

Edward Rudnicki, formerly of Greenpoint Bank, was the recipient of the chamber's Lifetime Achievement Award. Rudnicki was branch manager in Levittown for over 14 years. A past president of the Levittown Chamber of Commerce, Rudnicki continued to serve the organization and served on the board of directors until recently. In 1998 he was the recipient of the Small Business Person of the Year Award from the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce. A resident of Deer Park, where he resides with his wife Marie Elena and four children, Rudnicki is a past post commander for the Edward K. Peisker Post 5348 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Deer Park and is currently serving the post as president of the association. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus and American Legion.

Committee Awards were presented to: Dr. Michael Bernstein, Louise Cassano, Lois Cornibert, Fred Form, Steve Haller, Louis Pensa, Kevin Regan, Peter Ryan, Tara Ryan, Susie Trenkle, and John Tufarelli.

In addition to the awards, Town of Hempstead Councilman Gary Hudes swore in 13 board members, Town of Hempstead Supervisor Richard Guardino swore in three officers, and County Executive Thomas Gulotta swore in Dr. Nogan for her third term as president. The officers sworn in were: Steve Haller, 1st vice president; Louise Cassano, 2nd vice president; and Fred Form, treasurer. The board of directors is comprised of: Dr. Michael Bernstein, Lois Cornibert, Beth Dalton Costello, Frank Hermantin, Cathaline Ithier, John O'Neill, Louis Pensa, Kevin Regan, Barry Room, Eric S. Rosenblum, Edward Szala, John Tufarelli, and Richard Zerah.

Nogan, in her presidential acceptance, thanked everyone for the successful year that the chamber had and touched on some of the highlights which included the bowl-a-thon, blood drive, car show, and festival, which raised over $20,000. In addition the chamber hosted its annual Networking Party, where they gave a $1,500 donation to the Wantagh-Levittown Ambulance Corps to go toward the purchase of an AED Unit. Other events included the summer picnic, the holiday lighting and the Holiday Party. Nogan also spoke about the Hempstead Turnpike Revitalization, which the chamber is eagerly awaiting, which is being accomplished with the help of local elected officials Assemblywoman Kathleen Murray, Senator Kemp Hannon, Town Supervisor Richard Guardino, and Town Councilman Gary Hudes.

Nogan herself has been an active contributor, not just to the chamber of commerce, but to the community as a whole. In addition to serving as chamber president, Nogan is on the board of the Levittown Kiwanis Club, an honorary member of the Levittown Historical Society, charter member of the Levittown Community Council, was a chairperson for the Levittown 50th Anniversary Committee, is 2nd vice president of the Levittown School District's Dollars for Scholar Program, is vice president of the Yours, Ours, Mine Community Center, and is the treasurer of the Levittown Library Board. Nogan has been recognized for her achievements several times in the last few years. From the Nassau County Legislature, Nogan has received a Citation for Dedication to Levittown and the Practice of Chiropractic Medicine, the Community Volunteer Certificate of Appreciation, and the Women Trailblazers of the New Millennium Award. She has received the Meritorious Community Service Award from the Levittown Historical Society and recently received the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce's Small Businessperson of the Year Award.