Syosset Resident Honored for Volunteer Service

By Denise D'Alessandro

Elliott Sylvan, a resident of Syosset, was recently honored at the Junior League's Fifteenth Annual Merit Volunteer Awards Luncheon for his exceptional contribution as a volunteer.

Elliott Sylvan stands with JLLI President Jeannine Gallo after being honored at the ceremony.

A United National General Assembly resolution established 2001 as the International Year of Volunteers and the Junior League of Long Island joined with other local, national and international organizations to applaud the achievements of volunteers and celebrate their commitment to alleviating local social problems.

A luncheon honoring Sylvan was held on April 24 at the Garden City Hotel. "Elliott was recognized because he demonstrated an unfailing dedication to improving the quality of life on Long Island through volunteer efforts," said Jeannine Gallo, president of the Junior League of Long Island. Sylvan was honored for his work with the AHRC-Nassau Chapter.

Sylvan coaches basketball and softball for AHRC. His teams, which vary in age from 18-72, compete in the Special Olympics and many tournaments. Besides volunteering his time for coaching, Sylvan, along with his wife Lenore, donate any time they have to volunteering. They were most recently involved with a flower sale held at AHRC's headquarters in Brookville.

Matilda Raffa Cuomo, wife of former Governor Mario Cuomo, presented the keynote address at the luncheon. Having previously chaired the New York Citizen Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect, Cuomo has been an outstanding advocate on behalf of women and children.

"I don't do this for the need or expectation that something is going to happen, but it was nice to be honored," said a very modest Sylvan.

The Association of Junior Leagues International Inc., of which the Junior League of Long Island is a member, is comprised of 296 Junior Leagues in Canada, Great Britain, Mexico and the United States. With 194,000 members contributing approximately 12 million hours of service each year, AJLI is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women and improving local communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.