The Manhasset Community Fund directors and guests met for the Fund's annual general meeting on Sunday, March 25, at the Manhasset Public Library. The directors elected officers and heard the latest developments at the 17 local charitable agencies that receive monetary support from the Fund. The highlight of the event was the annual presentation of checks to the agency representatives in attendance.

The Manhasset Community Fund solicits contributions from residents and businesses for distribution to local charitable organizations that impact your community. The Fund supports many causes ranging from youth programs (such as the Manhasset PAL, Manhasset Youth Council, local chapters of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and the Manhasset-Great Neck EOC) to senior citizen assistance through its support of the Manhasset Senior Citizen Advisory Board. A few of the other organizations supported by our Community Fund include Child Abuse Prevention Services, Friends of Hospice, Community Care of Manhasset (formerly the Visiting Nurse Service of Manhasset), the Rehabilitation Institute, North Shore and St. Francis Hospitals and North Shore Child and Family Guidance.

Vincent Stempien, the Community Fund treasurer, delivered the financial report and emphasized the need constantly to improve fund raising. The importance of this goal, and of the Community Fund itself, was clearly evident as many charitable agencies regrettably reported decreased funding from municipal sources due to current budget difficulties.

The Community Fund directors unanimously elected officers for the coming year as follows: Sheila Brennan and Thomas O'Malley, co-presidents; Ronnie Brooks, Kevin McMahon and Paul Whelan, vice presidents; Vincent Stempien, treasurer, Anne Orlando, secretary. The board of directors also welcomed Robert Bosse, Sandy Buttles, Pam Cahill, John Hershey, William Martin and Maria Troisi Mohan as new members.

The members of the Manhasset Community Fund thank the many people of Manhasset who contribute to their annual fund-raising drive. These donations make it possible for the Fund to support so many deserving local organizations.