Bethpage-Tribune_2001-03-16

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VOL. 35 NO. 11 MARCH 16-22,2001 40 Cents
Bethpage HS SPEC
Founder Honored
Brad Jerson. President and founder of SPEC, helps a youngster
smash open a Pinata filled with candy during the SPEC Valentine's
Day party for the Children's Cancer Center at North Shore University
Hospital. Brad has been named a Distinguished Finalist in the sixth
annual Prudential Spirit of Community Award program. Photo by Terry
Gilberti, Syntax
Bethpage High School senior
Brad Jerson has been named a
Distinguished Finalist as one of the
state's top youth volunteers in the
sixth annual Prudential Spirit of
Community Award program. This
national program recognizes young
people for outstanding community
service. Brad has been recognized
for creating the teen volunteer group
called SPEC, which is dedicated to
educating the public about cancer,
raising money for research, and
helping cancer patients and their
families.
The SPEC Club (Students
Putting an End to Cancer) recently
held a Valentine's Day party for
approximately 30 kids at the
Children's Cancer Center of North
Shore University Hospital.
Approximately 15 members of SPEC
visited the hospital to dance and sing
with the young children, play games,
and help them with their arts and
crafts.
"SPEC does an amazing job,"
said Maxine Andrade, administrator
for the Children's Cancer Center,
North Shore University-LIJ hospital
system. "Our kids love the kids from
SPEC. They pull the kids into what
they are doing, pulling them out of a
shell they sometimes find
themselves in. The end result is that
they make our kids feel like kids that
are not sick."
Last spring, SPEC planted a
Cancer Awareness Garden in the
high school courtyard. Flowers are
purchased and planted in the
garden. Each flower planted serves
as a memory of someone who has
lost their life to cancer, or as an
inspiration to someone who
continues to live with and fight the
disease. SPEC has raised over
$6,000 in the fight against cancer
with the garden alone.
Marlyse Nugent cut the ribbon
that officially opened the Cancer
Awareness Garden. She was at the
Valentine's Day party with her
family. "Brad's one of Marlyse's
favorite people," said Marlyse's
father, Robert Nugent. "She loves all
of the parties and all of the friends
she has made through SPEC,
including other children at the
center. SPEC is always looking to
help children diagnosed with cancer,
like my daughter. It's nice to know
that someone is always thinking of
her."
Brad started SPEC over two
years ago after his mother, Gail, was
diagnosed with breast cancer. In
addition to bringing some joy to the
lives of cancer patients, SPEC raises
awareness, funds, and, most
importantly, hope. The group has
even lobbied legislators in Albany,
resulting in successful bills
regarding pesticide use notification
and patient access to information
about doctors. Over 100 students at
Bethpage High School are currently
involved with SPEC.
Ladies Night At The VFW
Francis (Frank) Pendl wins Veterans of Foreign Wars Americanism
Award. Mr. and Mrs. Francis Pendl were invited to the "Ladies Night"
special event on Tuesday February 27th to receive the award. Pictured
here is from left to right VFW Post Commander Ken McDonough, Mrs.
Pendl (Mary Jane) and Francis (Frank) Pendl with the award in hand.
The award was given for flying the flag every day in front of their
home. Frank who is very community minded does other things for our
beautiful community of Bethpage. Frank is a past Bethpage Fire Chief
and also a fire inspector of local buildings to make sure they are up to
the codes of our community. Most of all the VFW found him to be a fine
Gentleman and of course a wonderful asset to our Town.
Butehorn Post 4987 Bethpage
had all the women given a night off
from cooking as they had a local
caterer do the cooking for them. Yes,
all had a fine evening and enjoyed
the meal. We have always found that
the "GOOD FELLOWSHIP" is always
the main ingredient at these
meetings. When we comrades look at
one another now we think "are we
the 'guys' that beat up on the
nation's enemies, we sure don't look
like it now." However we didn't look
like this fifty six years ago, our
enemies thought we looked pretty
tough then. We all pray that our
young ones never have to fight any
enemy and all we want is peace all
over the world, which is a main
prayer of the VFW's. Yes a great
time was had by all that evening. For
those people that know Veterans of
Foreign Wars, who are not members
of the post, please let us know their
names as we are short membership
in the county (not Bethpage Post),
but if they bring themselves to join
the Bethpage Post that counts as
any local posts are in the county. It is
imperative for us to get the county
up to 100% membership as it will be
embarrassing to our Nassau County
which was never short before. There
are many many eligible members out
there. Herein a chance to help the
Veterans of Foreign Wars.
(Please turn to page *>
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