This article appeared in “The Northender,” a local paper in Oyster Bay, New York. Oyster Bay is home to the Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome Network, and its founder, Donna Appell.
I can’t say enough about all that Donna has done to push Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome research and to be there for the affected families. Someday I really want to tell her story on the blog, but she’s always so busy that we really haven’t had the chance to sit down and record it. It’s an amazing story!
But, for now, its nice to know that someone besides us recognizes what a great advocate Donna really is – KUDO’s Donna!
TOB Announces “Women of Distinction Awards”
Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto has announced the winners of the eighth annual Town of Oyster Bay "Women of Distinction" Awards, celebrating unique achievements on the parts of women who live in the Town. "A distinguished awards committee, once again, had the difficult task of selecting exceptional designees as the 'Women of Distinction' in one of eight categories," Supervisor Venditto said. "We will honor this year's winners at the Tuesday, March 28, meeting of the Town Board."
Winners will be presented with a Town citation and a special pin to commemorate the honor. "The 'Women of Distinction' Program has certainly proven to be a memorable tradition, honoring women who stand as role models for the younger generation in the Town of Oyster Bay," Supervisor Venditto said. "These women are a shining example of the outstanding citizenship that has made the Town of Oyster Bay such a special place to live and raise a family. I, together with my Town Board colleagues, are honored to recognize them."
Honorees this year are: Ava Favara - Principal of the BOCES Cultural Arts Center in Syosset.
Beth Dalton-Costello - Co-owner of the Thomas Dalton Funeral Home chain, member of Nassau Community College's Mortuary Science Advisory Board, the Island Trees High School Advisory Board and a former member of the Yours, Ours, Mine Community Center. She is also Vice President of Friends of the Bay and has received the Small Businessperson of the Year Award in Hicksville and Levittown. Other honors bestowed on Dalton-Costello have included the Hicksville Community Council’s President’s Award. She is also a member of the Hicksville Kiwanis Club and has led the steering committee of the Hicksville Interfaith Nutrition Network.
Valerie Pakaluk – Former managing editor for the Litmor Publishing Corporation, founding president of the Hicksville Historical Society, former trustee and officer of the Hicksville Gregory Museum, and president of the Hicksville Community Council. She has also served the Charles Wagner Post 421 of the American Legion, St. Ignatius Church, and the Hicksville Library Board.
Jo Ann Miltenberg – Math teacher in the Farmingdale School District, who has received the American Star of Teaching Award from the U.S. Department of Education, which is presented to only one teacher from each state in the country.
Peggy Donovan – Former District Representative in Congressman Peter T. King's office who has worked for a variety of volunteer organizations.
Donna Appell, RN - A nurse at the Open Heart Intensive Care Unit at St. Francis Hospital for more than two decades, founder of an HPS Network to raise awareness and provides support for anybody dealing with the Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome, a genetic metabolic disorder which causes albinism, visual impairment, a platelet dysfunction and progressive symptoms. It is a disease with which her daughter is afflicted. Appell is also a founding member of Project DOCC (Delivery of Chronic Care), a parent-driven, pediatric residency training program that helps give new doctors a better understanding of what it is to live with the disease.
Arlene Piccone, Carolyn Bautista, Diane Nodell – Employees of CJ's Family Grill in Massapequa who came into the spotlight for their faithful care of an elderly diabetic man.
Lorraine Kaplan – Volunteer dedicated to promoting mental illness education in schools. She is the director of educational outreach for a National Alliance on Mental Illness project called "Breaking the Silence; Teaching the Next Generation about Mental Illness." Kaplan was spurred to act for this cause when her own son, an accomplished scholar-athlete, was diagnosed with schizophrenia as a senior in high school.
"These fine honorees have dedicated themselves to service and achievement, and their remarkable accomplishments are an inspiration to us all," Supervisor Venditto said. "Young women throughout the Town do not need to look to Hollywood actresses or pop stars for their role models, they can look right here in the Town of Oyster Bay. I invite everybody to join us on March 28, beginning at 7 PM., as we honor this year's fine designees of the Town's 'Women of Distinction' Award. This event has always been one of the most special evenings we enjoy here in the Town of Oyster Bay."
I can’t say enough about all that Donna has done to push Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome research and to be there for the affected families. Someday I really want to tell her story on the blog, but she’s always so busy that we really haven’t had the chance to sit down and record it. It’s an amazing story!
But, for now, its nice to know that someone besides us recognizes what a great advocate Donna really is – KUDO’s Donna!
TOB Announces “Women of Distinction Awards”
Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto has announced the winners of the eighth annual Town of Oyster Bay "Women of Distinction" Awards, celebrating unique achievements on the parts of women who live in the Town. "A distinguished awards committee, once again, had the difficult task of selecting exceptional designees as the 'Women of Distinction' in one of eight categories," Supervisor Venditto said. "We will honor this year's winners at the Tuesday, March 28, meeting of the Town Board."
Winners will be presented with a Town citation and a special pin to commemorate the honor. "The 'Women of Distinction' Program has certainly proven to be a memorable tradition, honoring women who stand as role models for the younger generation in the Town of Oyster Bay," Supervisor Venditto said. "These women are a shining example of the outstanding citizenship that has made the Town of Oyster Bay such a special place to live and raise a family. I, together with my Town Board colleagues, are honored to recognize them."
Honorees this year are: Ava Favara - Principal of the BOCES Cultural Arts Center in Syosset.
Beth Dalton-Costello - Co-owner of the Thomas Dalton Funeral Home chain, member of Nassau Community College's Mortuary Science Advisory Board, the Island Trees High School Advisory Board and a former member of the Yours, Ours, Mine Community Center. She is also Vice President of Friends of the Bay and has received the Small Businessperson of the Year Award in Hicksville and Levittown. Other honors bestowed on Dalton-Costello have included the Hicksville Community Council’s President’s Award. She is also a member of the Hicksville Kiwanis Club and has led the steering committee of the Hicksville Interfaith Nutrition Network.
Valerie Pakaluk – Former managing editor for the Litmor Publishing Corporation, founding president of the Hicksville Historical Society, former trustee and officer of the Hicksville Gregory Museum, and president of the Hicksville Community Council. She has also served the Charles Wagner Post 421 of the American Legion, St. Ignatius Church, and the Hicksville Library Board.
Jo Ann Miltenberg – Math teacher in the Farmingdale School District, who has received the American Star of Teaching Award from the U.S. Department of Education, which is presented to only one teacher from each state in the country.
Peggy Donovan – Former District Representative in Congressman Peter T. King's office who has worked for a variety of volunteer organizations.
Donna Appell, RN - A nurse at the Open Heart Intensive Care Unit at St. Francis Hospital for more than two decades, founder of an HPS Network to raise awareness and provides support for anybody dealing with the Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome, a genetic metabolic disorder which causes albinism, visual impairment, a platelet dysfunction and progressive symptoms. It is a disease with which her daughter is afflicted. Appell is also a founding member of Project DOCC (Delivery of Chronic Care), a parent-driven, pediatric residency training program that helps give new doctors a better understanding of what it is to live with the disease.
Arlene Piccone, Carolyn Bautista, Diane Nodell – Employees of CJ's Family Grill in Massapequa who came into the spotlight for their faithful care of an elderly diabetic man.
Lorraine Kaplan – Volunteer dedicated to promoting mental illness education in schools. She is the director of educational outreach for a National Alliance on Mental Illness project called "Breaking the Silence; Teaching the Next Generation about Mental Illness." Kaplan was spurred to act for this cause when her own son, an accomplished scholar-athlete, was diagnosed with schizophrenia as a senior in high school.
"These fine honorees have dedicated themselves to service and achievement, and their remarkable accomplishments are an inspiration to us all," Supervisor Venditto said. "Young women throughout the Town do not need to look to Hollywood actresses or pop stars for their role models, they can look right here in the Town of Oyster Bay. I invite everybody to join us on March 28, beginning at 7 PM., as we honor this year's fine designees of the Town's 'Women of Distinction' Award. This event has always been one of the most special evenings we enjoy here in the Town of Oyster Bay."
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