The last few years have been some of the most rewarding - and challenging - years of my life. I made the difficult decision to leave my career as a bond analyst and work at home as mother, wife, daughter and sister. While I longed to spend more time with my children and parents, in particular, I wondered if my new "career" would prove to be as exciting and fulfilling as my last. Well, it's been better than I ever imagined!

I love being a work-at-home mom and all that this role has offered me, including the opportunity to chair the new Munsey Park Community Service Program Committee. Since November 2002, the Munsey Park School and SCA have accomplished much! Imaginative, colorful Thanksgiving placemats were delivered to the Interfaith Nutrition Network in Hempstead, which supplies meals to the underprivileged. December's Holiday Hope Chests, filled with a variety of goodies, gave much joy to Sea Cliff's St. Christopher-Ottilie, an organization that provides foster care and other services to children. Valentine's Day cards were delivered to Meals-On-Wheels and the Marquis Care Center of Glen Cove, a nursing home, to add a loving touch to those in need. "Giggle bags" filled with the children's favorite jokes and other items, brought extra smiles to the children at St. Mary's Children's Hospital in Bayside on April Fool's Day. The committee also organized a three-day celebration of Earth Day. It began with environmental presentations to the students by the Town of North Hempstead, followed by Manhasset's first recycling effort at the SCA Fair, and ending with the first annual Munsey Park School Family Earth Day Clean-Up of Plandome Road and vicinity that well over 100 people attended! Our final project for the school year will be the collection of gently used backpacks and calculators, and new school supplies for the underprivileged, during the last week of school (details to follow!).

I have never worked with a more intelligent, cooperative, enthusiastic," "get the deed done" group of people before! I thank Elaine Phillips, Munsey Park SCA president, for entrusting me with her vision of such a program. I thank each and every one of our 28 other committee members, particularly Beth Shelton, Sophia Yunakov, Donna Liberta, Brenda Bailey and Pam Landeta, Project Leaders, for their insightful suggestions and hard work. Special thanks also goes to committee members Sue Auriemma for her photographs, and Claire Clarke for providing Earth Day beverages, tables and chairs. I'd also like to thank Dr. Jean Kendall, Munsey Park principal, and her staff - especially the front office and maintenance personnel, and lunch aides - as well as the Student Council, for their support and assistance. In addition, my appreciation goes to the Town of North Hempstead, Dunkin' Donuts and Whole Foods Market for their generosity during Earth Day Clean-Up. Most of all, I stand and applaud our children and their parents, all of whom eagerly participated in the proposed Community Service projects, making them a reality!

I'm delighted that Shelter Rock School has recently organized their own such committee under the direction of Lisa Goring, newly installed Shelter Rock SCA president, and Maria Kostoulas, Shelter Rock SCA chairperson, who is actively seeking volunteers. I look forward to working with them on an ongoing basis to make the Community Service Program a true community effort!

Thank you all, again, for a great year. And please remember: we welcome new faces and fresh ideas!

Angela T. Connelly