Crystal clear skies and a summer breeze set the tone for the Mill Neck Cup & Luxury Spa event on July 31, 2017. A day that beautiful could only be trumped by the picturesque backdrop of the renowned Pine Hollow Country Club in East Norwich. The annual event supports the Mill Neck Family of Organizations, whose mission is to help Deaf children and adults with other disabilities through educational, vocational and spiritual services locally and worldwide.
Golfers and spa guests enjoyed a delicious breakfast in the clubhouse before heading out for their day. While on the course, golfers competed for The Mill Neck Cup Trophy as well as participated in prizes like the chance to sink a hole-in-one and drive home in a brand new BMW. They also enjoyed complimentary refreshments, a cigar from Hampton Cigar Company, a swag bag and a professional photo of their foursome by Golfing Magazine to take home that day.
The lady participants exhaled with relaxation in the Luxury Spa, which was located inside of Pine Hollow’s French-Norman style Vanderbilt mansion. Female guests pampered themselves with everything from make-up to blowouts to facials from the top businesses across Long Island. Spa guests were also able to unwind and cool down by taking a dip in the private pool lounge or take a Zumba class taught by top-notch instructors from New York Sports Club Syosset and meditation by Oyster Bay Yoga.
Later, all the guests came together for a delicious cocktail dinner on the veranda overlooking the sunset. The room was filled with exclusive silent auction gifts from Steiner Sports and premier raffle prizes and baskets. Awards and the Mill Neck Cup trophy were presented and special recognition was given to this year’s honoree, Matthew Pomara.
Pomara and Mill Neck go all the way back to the fall of 1998. He drove onto the 86-acre campus and the picturesque Mill Neck Manor took his breath away. He knew he had to be a part of the magic somehow. Pomara, who is now the Regional Vice President of Core BTS, a company that provides innovative solutions to its clients, worked with Mill Neck on various projects. But that simply wasn’t enough. Pomara joined the fundraising committee for events and fell in love with more than just the scenery: in the end it was Mill Neck’s mission to better the lives of children and adults who are Deaf and have other disabilities that hooked him. Together with Core BTS, Pomara and his team facilitated the installation of a state-of-the-art video phone and conference system for all Mill Neck employees, drastically improving communication between Mill Neck employees and Deaf consumers not only locally, but worldwide.
Acknowledging that this event is the result of many helping hands, the Mill Neck Family of Organizations wishes to thank the golfers and guests, volunteers, committee members, parents and students for supporting another incredible Mill Neck charity golf event and, by extension, the programs and services of the organization. Recognition is due to the following sponsors and contributors: GENERAL, Capital One Bank, Core BTS Inc., Bank United, Pickney Electric, Inc., Mayor Peter and Mrs. Crisler Quick, Mike and Kathy Pomara, Fiduciary Investment Advisors, LLC, kidOYO, Eagle Sanitation, R.S. Abrams & Co., LLP, Traci Donnelly, The Very Talented Christine Barrington, Shore 2 Shore Wireless, and Jackson Lewis.
The Mill Neck Family of Organizations carries out its mission through its separate organizations, including Mill Neck Manor School for the Deaf, educating children who are Deaf, hard of hearing and have other disabilities through unique educational and therapy programs; Mill Neck Services, giving Deaf adults access to meaningful employment and community services; Center for Hearing Health, providing the Deaf and Hearing Impaired community with hearing aid devices and proper care; Lutheran Friends of the Deaf, bringing spiritual guidance to individuals all around the world through various programs and services and Mill Neck International, providing resources and education to Deaf individuals worldwide.