Our hats are off to Betty Craco and her diligent staff of volunteers who recently brought another successful Senior Citizen Flu Program to Manhasset, resulting in a total of 653 seniors being inoculated at the Manhasset High School gymnasium on Oct. 27. Craco, who initiated this program 11 years ago under the sponsorship of the Manhasset Senior Citizen Advisory Council, brought together several agencies and volunteer groups, whose help made this program so successful each year. These include: our medical personnel, consisting of volunteer nurses and doctors, the Manhasset Public Schools, the Manhasset Public Library, Community Care of Manhasset and a Traffic Control group under the direction of Richard Miller.

Throughout the years that I've worked with Betty, I've observed her patience, good will, persistence and most of all, her true concern for the seniors of Manhasset. Her coordination of the program is extraordinary and includes library and phone registration, direction of traffic, providing lunch for the staff, continuous communication with the Nassau University Medical Center and finally, the protocol of the day. These efforts resulted in a vaccination procedure that took place in the most efficient manner possible. Our two supervisory nurses from the medical center, Ann Mastrullo and Christine Kiplins whose help was invaluable, have deemed our program the model for Nassau County.

During the sadness we are all presently experiencing in our country, the people of Manhasset have managed to inspire hope by demonstrating how great America is on the grass roots level - especially when they unite for the good of others.

Thank you, Betty and all of you who have given your time to this program.

Maureen Kenlon