Long Island Volunteer Center Sponsors Oyster Bay Harbor Swim

Ten local residents joined together in a team effort to swim the length of Oyster Bay Harbor from Bayville Bridge to Beekman Beach, a distance of 2.5 miles, on Sept. 12.

A jubilant Eileen Relyea, with husband Dave, after she completed the long swim. Dave's father Relyea swam the length of the harbor years ago so Eileen was carrying on a family tradition. Dave is wearing a Christeen Oyster Sloop Preservation Corporation cap and a Frank M. Flower shirt!

The swimmers eagerly dove in and churned up the waters to raise funds for the Long Island Volunteer Center (LIVC) which links volunteers with people and groups in need of help throughout Long Island.

Local organizations which have benefited from the center's work include Oyster Bay Boys and Girls Club, Visiting Nurse Association, Mill Neck School for the Deaf, Birthright, Sagamore Hill, Theodore Roosevelt Bird Sanctuary and the Nassau County Office of Cultural Development (Chelsea Center).

These organizations, as well as Friends of the Bay, Coe Hall, Oyster Bay Historical Society and Friends for LI Heritage are featured in the Volunteer Center's Directory of Community Resources and Volunteer Opportunities. The directory has been well received and is currently in its second printing. Copies will be available this fall.

The swim team included LIVC Board member Robert Shuster of Oyster Bay, Randy and Ryan Pullman of Oyster Bay Cove, Eileen Relyea and Dr. Patricia D'Imperio of Bayville, John Callinan of Rockaway, Kaitlyn Lyons and Caitlin Abruzzo of Manhasset, Jim McAleer of Port Washington and Joan Imhof of Bayville who founded the Volunteer Center in 1993.

Providing safety were Nassau County Police Officers Bob McCrory and Kevin Tirman, Steve Perotto of Oyster Bay, Barbara Berg of Mill Neck, Julie and John Imhof and Frank Martozzi of Bayville and Patrick Mavros of Glen Head. Huckleberry's of Oyster Bay donated delicious refreshments.

Volunteers often say that they receive more than they give. The Oyster Bay swimmers confirmed that statement. "Every swimmer surpassed their goal by swimming further than they ever imagined they could." said Joan Imhof. Bob Shuster, Oyster Bay attorney added: "As a board member, I've witnessed the valuable impact of our local Volunteer Center and encourage others to join me in supporting the center by contributing their time and financial donations so that the center can continue its important work."

Donations by check can be made payable to Long Island Volunteer Center and mailed to LIVC in care of Robert Shuster, 34 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay, NY 11771. To volunteer or for information call LIVC at 294-5482.