YMCA-LI's Annual 'Diamonds & Burlap' Affair to Honor Prominent Community Leader & Businessman and Support L.I. Youth

Long Island, N.Y. (October 1, 2015) More than 200 business leaders, elected officials and community leaders are expected at the YMCA of Long Island’s 2nd annual Diamonds & Burlap Auction and Celebration on Friday, October 2, 2015 to honor James C. Romanelli, Senior Vice President, CNA. The event will be held at YMCA Boulton Center for the Performing Arts in Bayshore, N.Y. All proceeds from live auctions and raffles will support the YMCA’s island-wide, free pre-teen and teen centers.

A longtime Long Island community leader, Mr. Romanelli has been a passionate volunteer since high school, deeply dedicated to his lifelong mission of giving back to the community. Additionally, Mr. Romanelli serves as an associate trustee on the Insurance Committee of the North Shore–Long Island Jewish Health System (LIJ), a member of the YMCA of Long Island (YMCALI) Board of Directors, and chairperson for the YMCALI Strategic Planning Committee.

“We are delighted to honor and recognize Jim, who has been a tremendous supporter of the YMCA for more than a decade,” said Anne Brigis, President and CEO of the YMCA of Long Island. “He has dedicated countless hours to volunteering and giving of his time, talent and treasure. He is truly a role model to the next generation within his community and throughout Long Island.”

All proceeds from Diamonds & Burlap will be used to fund the cost of YMCA’s island-wide, free Pre-teen and Teen Centers. This program offers community youth—both members and non-members—access to the Y’s state-of-the-art facilities across Long Island on Friday and Saturday evenings during the school year FREE of charge. The YMCA of Long Island provide the youth with developmentally appropriate programing founded on the principles of the Y-USA Youth Development Roadmap. Many offerings include access to recreational swimming, fitness facilities, dance classes, aerobics, computers, basketball, rock-climbing, tracks, and more. Pre-teen and teen centers are located at YMCA East Hampton Recenter, YMCA at Glen Cove, Great South Bay YMCA, Huntington YMCA, and Patchogue Family YMCA/Brookhaven ROE.

“It’s a great honor to be recognized by the YMCA of Long Island,” Romanelli said. “Giving back to the community has always been important to me personally, as well as to CNA. Knowing that the proceeds from the Diamonds & Burlap event provide services and programs to help develop the next generation of leaders in the New York community makes this recognition especially meaningful.”

Pre-teen and teen centers help local youth navigate out-of-school time, while providing peer support, mentorship, leadership skills, and the tools for young people to become confident and competent adults. Our YMCA teens know they can make a meaningful contribution to their community.

Individual tickets are still available for $250 pp, log onto http://www.ymcali.org/diamondsburlap for more information.

About YMCA of Long Island:

The YMCA is a leader in providing programs that strengthen the mind, body and spirit connection. Long Islanders of all ages and fitness levels learn to live their healthiest lives inside the YMCA’s state-of-the-art facilities in Brookhaven, East Hampton, Glen Cove, Bay Shore, Huntington and Patchogue. The YMCA of Long Island is a cause-driven nonprofit organization that works to strengthen communities through programs that focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. For information and locations, visit www.ymcali.org, or call 855-296-2254.