The Independent Group Home Living Program (IGHL) (East Moriches) has named James Farrell, an Old Brookville resident, as its Guest of Honor for its annual Pine Hollow (East Norwich) Country Club Golf Classic scheduled for Monday, Aug. 16. Tickets to the event are $375 per person, and attendance is usually restricted to 100 golfers.

IGHL is one of the New York region's foremost nonprofit agencies serving some 1600 members of the developmentally disabled community and their families. One of Suffolk County's largest employers, IGHL operates a network of more than 45 group residences throughout the Towns of Smithtown, Brookhaven, Riverhead, Southampton, East Hampton, and Southold. It operates an extensive transportation system, and a variety of therapeutic programs including: employment, recreation, physical education, health care, and more.

According to Tournament Chairman George Massaua (Cold Spring Harbor), "Jimmy Farrell was chosen for this recognition because of his past demonstrated unselfish, tireless service with many Long Island community organizations. Furthermore, Jimmy is widely respected by his peers in the business community."

Mr. Farrell, a graduate of Fordham University, is the founder (1976) and CEO of Farrell International, a major customs brokerage and shipping organization (Kennedy International Airport, New York City). His industry involvement includes: the JFK Airport Chamber of Commerce, the JFK Airport Customs Brokers Association, the Foreign Commerce Club, the American Importers & Exporters Association, the Air Cargo Association and the Long Island Import-Export Association.

Previous charitable, nonprofit work includes: the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Friend's Academy, Huntington Crescent Club, The Semantics, and the Cedar Swamp Historical Society.

Mr. Farrell and his wife, Eileen, are the parents of six children: James, Ryan, Kelly, Justin, Shayna, and Danielle.

In accepting this upcoming tribute, Mr. Farrell said that: "I have visited a number of IGHL's facilities, and have met some of the people who are served by this agency. No one can deny that people who are developmentally disabled have been dealt a tough, difficult fate. Through the compassion and dedication of IGHL's staff, many of their 'consumers' are able to gain a quality of life, and exercise their fullest potential as productive human beings."

For more details about Aug. 16, contact Frank Lombardi, 631-878-8900.