With little fanfare, Congressman Peter King has made a significant contribution to one of the finest not-for-profit organizations in our area. St. Christopher-Ottilie has received a $1 million Health Facilities Construction Grant for the building of three cottages to house developmentally disabled children. According to Congressman King, "This project will allow St. Christopher-Ottilie to continue to make a dignified difference in the lives of the many children and families who grow, learn and benefit from their services on Long Island and throughout New York State."

Too often, the good works of people like Peter King and organizations like St. Christopher-Ottilie, go unheralded in today's fast paced world. Helping others does not seem high on the list of things to do.

My early memory of the Ottilie Home, before it joined with St. Christopher's, came from my early days in Queens. Delivering canned goods to church for use by the Ottilie orphanage is still vivid in my mind. Today, St. Christopher-Ottilie has 50 facilities throughout the metropolitan area. With some 1,800 children in caring foster homes, St. Christopher-Ottilie also provides adoptive services and medical health counseling. There is also care for children who are profoundly retarded and those who are developmentally disabled ¬ children who have become too difficult to be handled by parents or who have just been rejected or neglected because of their disability.

A part of the Mission Statement for St. Christopher-Ottilie states, "Love, service and respect are the spiritual forces that energize all of our activities." Caring for the most innocent and vulnerable in our society is the task of St. Christopher-Ottilie. Those who are involved in this work cannot be praised enough. Words, alone, can not express the spiritual reality of what they do. And the work is not easy. Children with physical and emotional challenges can drain the energy of any person. My hat is off to the dedicated staff.

Each year, in order to help meet the costs associated with the program, the organization honors a distinguished Long Islander for his or her contributions to our society. This year, George L. Engelke, Jr., the CEO of Astoria Federal Savings, will be the honoree at the St. Christopher-Ottilie Ball. The ball will be held on March 4 at the Garden City Hotel. Helping some 4,400 children every day lead a higher quality life requires a great deal of support from the community. If you would like to participate in this year's ball or volunteer to help in other ways, please give Renee Swanson a call. She can be reached at 671-1253. St. Christopher-Ottilie is a very special organization which truly deserves our support.