The Greentree Foundation's generous $150,000 gift for local charities has been awarded by the Manhasset Community Fund to 20 deserving North Hempstead organizations serving children, the elderly and needy families. Winners of the 2005 grant, known as the "Greentree Good Neighbor Fund," were announced at a celebratory luncheon held at the Greentree estate.

For the second consecutive year, the Greentree Foundation, established by the late Mrs. John Hay Whitney of Manhasset, entrusted a special $150,000 grant to the Manhasset Community Fund. The fund, as it did last year, used its decades of experience with local charitable organizations to select the recipients of this generous gift.

"The Greentree Foundation is fortunate to have such a trusted and experienced partner" said Richard Schaffer, Greentree Foundation president. "Once again, the Manhasset Community Fund has done an extraordinary job in assessing local needs and allocating funds to worthy organizations in North Hempstead."

Tom O'Malley, who, with George Faeth, is co-president of the Manhasset Community Fund, says, "we are grateful to the Greentree Foundation for their generosity which permits us to help so many local organizations serving the people of the Town of North Hempstead." According to Community Fund Executive Vice President Bill Martin, who chairs the Greentree Fund subcommittee, interest in this year's "Good Neighbor Grants" ran high. Applications were received from 77 organizations, up from 49 a year ago. Dollar requests exceeded $1 million. After an initial review of all proposals, due diligence visits were made to 33 agencies, from which Mr. Martin and his team ultimately chose the 20 grant recipients. After the grant announcement Mr. Martin reflected, "the needs of underserved populations in the Town of North Hempstead are profound and we are excited, thanks to the continuing generosity of the Greentree Foundation, that we can make a positive difference in so many lives."

However, Mr. O'Malley reminds Manhasset residents that the "Greentree Good Neighbor Fund" is distinctly separate from the Community Fund's traditional efforts to support Manhasset's charities. That work continues unabated. O'Malley stressed that first and foremost the Manhasset Community Fund is just that - an organization committed to raising money for Manhasset's charities. He urges Manhasset to please continue their generous giving saying, "thanks to the generosity of individual donors, our traditional work of over 50 years continues. All local donations to the Manhasset Community Fund go to benefit the charities and organizations that serve Manhasset and its residents."

Below is a listing of the "Greentree Foundation Good Neighbor Fund" 2005 grant recipients. Each not-for-profit operates in the Town of North Hempstead and many are found in the local area. The total giving amounts to $155,000 due to a prior year balance which the Community Fund included in the grants.

Adventures in Learning ($5,000): To expand the computer facilities and the KidzLit and KidzMath programs at this after-school tutorial and enrichment program for disadvantaged children.

Advisory Council for the Youth of Mineola ($10,000): To enhance the "out of school suspension" and "on-the-job mentoring" programs for underserved students.

Alzheimer's Day Program ($5,000): To support the music therapy program at the Herricks Community Center.

CancerCare of Long Island ($5,000): To provide treatment transportation for low-income cancer patients.

Child Abuse Prevention Services ($10,000): To expand the "Kindness Counts" Bully Prevention Program to younger grades in elementary schools.

Community Mainstreaming Associates ($5,000): To open a bakery/café employing 20 disabled persons.

Education and Assistance Corporation ($10,000): To initiate a SeniorNet Computer Learning Center.

Great Neck Center for the Visual & Performing Arts ($5,000): To aid the "Art with Heart" arts outreach program for at-risk children.

Herricks Youth Council ($20,000): To fund a Youth Council director.

Island Harvest ($7,500): To continue improvement of food rescue and distribution in North Hempstead.

Littig House Community Center ($7,500): To support recreation, enrichment, employment and violence prevention programs for disadvantaged youths in Port Washington.

Long Island Children's Museum ($7,000): To provide outreach educational and enrichment programs for underserved children.

Manhasset/Great Neck EOC ($10,000): To fund the Family Support Program.

Mary & Elizabeth Center ($5,000): To assist non-English speaking women in Westbury & New Cassel.

North Shore Child & Family Guidance ($8,000): To support the Advantage After School program for adolescents at risk in New Cassel.

Port Washington Children's Center ($5,000): To purchase computers for use in after school programs for disadvantaged children.

Port Washington Parent Resource Center ($5,000): To assist the Outreach Program for low-income families.

Port Washington Twin Pines ($8,000): To support food distribution to needy families.

Science Museum of Long Island ($5,000): To send underprivileged children to summer science camp.

The Salvation Army of Greater New York ($12,000): To support the After School program at the Westbury Community Center.