YMCA of Long Island Announces Annual Diamonds & Burlap Honorees

One Hundred Percent of Proceeds Raised during Event to be Donated to YMCA’s Island-Wide Pre-Teen and Teen Centers

Long Island, N.Y. (October 31, 2018) – The YMCA of Long Island announced today that Winifred “Winnie” B. Mack and Northwell Health have been named honorees for the annual Diamonds and Burlap Auction and Celebration. The event, which raises funds and awareness for the YMCA of Long Island’s community-based pre-teen and teen programs, will be held on Thursday, November 8, 2018, at the Heritage Club at Bethpage.

"We are proud to announce Winnie as our 2018 honoree at this year's celebration," said Anne N. Brigis, President and CEO of the YMCA of Long Island. "Winnie has served on the YMCA LI Board of Directors for more than five years and has been the architect between the Y and Northwell Health’s collaborative efforts on wellness and chronic disease prevention. She has tirelessly promoted the Ys programs around cardiovascular health, diabetes care, and chronic disease prevention through our workshops and classes that are open to the community.” Ms. Brigis adds, “Winnie is a courageous champion and an amazing advocate for a joint Northwell/YMCA Healthy Living Center offering a continuum of care with a special focus on quality child care. I have tremendous admiration, affection and am proud to call Winnie Mack, my friend and mentor.”

The event, themed “Lighthouse to Liberty” this year, will include a cocktail reception with live entertainment, a buffet dinner, dessert, and live and silent auctions. This year, for the first time, the silent auction will be made available to the public prior to the event online at www.ymcali.givesmart.com.

“Northwell Health and the YMCA of Long Island have had a long standing relationship”, said Winnie Mack, SVP Health System Operations at Northwell Health. “Together we strive to improve the health and welfare of our communities, employees and their families. Our newest endeavor is to develop a new site in Lake Success that will include new and innovation programs. We represent a continuum of collaboration from “Lighthouse to Liberty.”

The YMCA of Long Island is committed to providing pre-teens and teens with a safe and structured environment to socialize and explore their interests. Since 1995, more than 300,000 young people have made the most of the Y’s pre-teen and teen centers, as well as other teen programs. The Ys Teen Centers offer a diverse mix of programming that is culturally relevant, developmentally appropriate, and founded on the Y-USA Youth Development Roadmap. Access to the Y’s state-of-the-art facilities is available to community youth, both members and non-members on Friday and Saturday evenings during the school year, free of charge. Leaders' Club shapes the leaders of tomorrow with character building, leadership training, and volunteering in the community. Y Force: Teens in Training is a Lifeguard and Counselor-in-Training is a free program. The Y provides critical lifeguard certification programs to various levels of swimmers to build strong skills and ultimately achieve American Red Cross Waterfront Lifeguard Certification. During the school year a select group of teens are invited to apply to the (CIT) Program preparing participants to become a part of the next year's Camp staff.

Tickets to this event start at $250 per person. Event tickets can be purchased and sponsorship & journal ad opportunities as well as auction information can be found online at www.ymcali.givesmart.com.

About YMCA of Long Island:

Long Islanders of all ages and fitness levels learn to live their healthiest and fullest lives inside the YMCA’s state-of-the-art facilities located in East Hampton, Glen Cove, Bay Shore, Holtsville, Huntington, and Patchogue, with the addition of prevention and treatment services through YMCA Family Services in Holtsville. The Y offers cultural arts programming for all ages at the YMCA Boulton Center for the Performing Arts located in Bay Shore. The YMCA of Long Island is a cause-driven nonprofit organization that works to strengthen communities through pro-grams and services that focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. For information and locations, visit www.ymcali.org.