This summer at CMM Cares, our commitment to empowering Long Island families in times of crisis remained at the heart of everything we did. Through compassion, action, and the unwavering support of our community, we were able to provide relief to families facing unimaginable challenges.
When a local family lost their beloved son after a decades-long battle with a debilitating disease, we stepped in to alleviate some of the financial burden, helping cover funeral costs. In another instance, a young military veteran lost everything in a devastating apartment fire. Thanks to the support of our donors, we were able to help him rebuild his life, providing immediate assistance to get him back on his feet.
As summer ended and the school year approached, we were honored to support a set of school-aged twins who had recently lost their father. With our help, they were able to start the academic year with the essential supplies they needed to succeed, ensuring that they could focus on their education during this difficult time.
Our commitment doesn’t end with a single act of kindness. For families we’ve helped in the past, we continue to provide support when new challenges arise. This summer, we assisted a family facing unexpected medical expenses by covering the cost of essential medical equipment not covered by insurance, offering them much-needed relief.
None of this would be possible without the generosity of our donors. Their contributions enable us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Long Island families in need. To all who have given to CMM Cares, we extend our deepest gratitude—you are the reason we can continue this vital work.
Together, we’re empowering our community, one family at a time.
CMM Cares Founder and Chairman of the Board, Joe Campolo, recently joined Jay Oliver on LI News Radio to discuss the impactful work of CMM Cares. During the conversation, Campolo highlighted Cares’ dedication to positively influencing the communities across Long Island where we live and work. Campolo emphasized the critical role that local businesses play in supporting our neighbors facing hardships. Tune in to the full discussion here.
On June 3rd, 2024, CMM Cares hosted our annual Charity Golf Outing at St. George’s Golf & Country Club in East Setauket. Sponsors and guests of the business community joined together to start the day with lunch and a cigar before heading to the course. Later, guests enjoyed cocktails, sushi and delicious hors d’oeuvres outdoors while the venue buzzed with music by Rubber Soul. We ended the night with a ceremony to honor our friend Glen Mankhen, commemorate our 2024 honoree George Condos, and meet Henry Lozano, a member of a 2023 Cares’ family.
Please save the date for our next event, our Fall fundraiser that will be held on November 6, 2024, at Land’s End in Sayville.
Thank you to all of our incredibly generous sponsors, guests, and donors. Your contribution will go towards changing the lives of our neighbors.
The generous support of our sponsors truly made the evening a resounding success. It was incredible to see everyone in attendance embrace the spirit of the evening, adorned in exquisite masks and attire, adding to the magic of the night. The contributions to the event will make a positive difference in the lives of those in need.
We’d like to share with you a special video message from one of our Cares Families. This family is rebuilding their lives here on Long Island after having fled their home in war-torn Kyiv, Ukraine. With CMM Cares support, we’ve made that transition a little easier. You can read the full family’s story here.
Another heartwarming tale of nonprofit collaboration unfolds! Recently, we connected one of our 2022 CMM Cares families, who had sought refuge from Ukraine and now call Long Island their home, with the incredible local organization known as Splashes of Hope. Splashes is a local nonprofit dedicated to creating art to transform spaces, enrich environments and facilitate healing.
A remarkable group of skilled artists, who graciously dedicate their time as volunteers at Splashes, came together to craft a unique and personalized piece of artwork for the young girls. The talented artists included Tyler Knabe, Sandy Caracciolo, Elizabeth Schafer, Carol Hough, Denise Rubcewich, and Ed Courtney. Their creative intention was to evoke the fond memories of the girls’ Ukrainian homeland, filling their hearts with memories of happiness while embracing their new home in New York.
As a bonus, the girls were extended an invitation to Splashes of Hope’s art studio, where they were generously offered a complimentary painting session. This experience was both enriching and uplifting.
When a U.S. veteran on Long Island needed support, several local nonprofits joined forces to help.
The organizations collaborated in an effort to assist AnnMarie Ayers, a veteran who had served in the U.S. Navy. After her military service, Ayers had struggled with not only cancer, but also military post-traumatic stress disorder and a layoff triggered by the pandemic.
CMM Cares, a Ronkonkoma-based nonprofit, was among the organizations ready to assist. Founded in 2019, the organization says it was built on the belief that by bringing the Long Island community together, it can make a “huge difference in the lives of its neighbors.” So when Ayers was nominated for the CMM Care’s Adopted Family Program, the organization got took note.
Ayers was able to keep her family in their home through a mortgage remodification program she learned about from UnitedWay of Long Island. John Diaz, United Way’s director of community impact, guided Ayers’ through the process and then took that assistance a step further by nominating her for the CMM Cares program.
Members of CMM Cares developed a program that specifically addressed the challenges Ayers was facing.
“It’s incredible the impact we can make by working together, pooling our resources and combining our efforts as nonprofit and for profit organizations,” Joe Campolo, chairman of the board at CMM Cares, said in a statement.
“Individually nonprofits help many, together we can change lives,” he added. “We look forward continuing to help those in need, one Long Island family at a time.”
Each year CMM Cares supports three to four Long Island families in need. After hearing Ayers’ story, the organization was determined to further help her get back on her feet and make a lasting impact on her life.
CMM Cares approved a customized support plan designed to provide Ayers with both short-term and long-term assistance. In addition to purchasing immediate household necessities, the organization helped her create a long-term plan to pay down her debt and get ahold of her finances, which was a factor in her PTSD recovery.
CMM Cares then introduced Ayers to Lisa Gatti, CEO of Islandia-based Pal-O-Mine Equestrian.
Gatti welcomed Ayers into Pal-O-Mine’s military program, which includes equine-assisted psychotherapy sessions. As an Eagala Designated Program, they have Eagala-certified professionals on site with specialized training and experience working with the military community. Its onsite Eagala certified professionals who are specialized training and experience working with the military community. Through the program, Ayers spends time at the farm, building relationships with the horses to reduce anxiety and find peace from her military PTSD.
Ayers was also gifted a complete solar energy system donated by SUNation Energy’s not-for-profit SUNation Cares.
SUNation CEO Scott Maskin, who serves as a board member for CMM Cares, stepped in to help alleviate some of the Ayers’ monthly expenses. Once completed and connected, this renewable energy system is designed to aid Ayers and her family with lower monthly electricity bills and more control over their energy. Through the donation of 21 solar panels, along with equipment and labor for the installation, this solar energy system will generate approximately 5,344 watts of energy annually. This is estimated to offset about 74% of the Ayers home energy use and greatly reduce their monthly electricity costs, according to CMM Cares.
Also collaborating on supporting Ayers was Salvatore Ferro, a councilman at Town of Huntington.
Collaborating with fellow nonprofits and business leaders is key for CMM Cares, a charitable foundation with a vision of making a difference in the lives of Long Island families. We’ve recently worked with the Guide Dog Foundation, a Smithtown-based national nonprofit organization that trains and places guide dogs for individuals who are blind, visually impaired or have other disabilities, to identify a career change dog that could be matched with one of our 2021 Adopted Families.
In 2021, CMM Cares supported three families including The Neikens and their son, Casey. Casey is a 13-year-old boy who was diagnosed shortly after birth with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), a group of rare diseases that cause fragile, blistering skin. With our funds raised and the support of the business community, we were able to make significant changes to Casey’s life which were celebrated at our annual Wine & Dine Gala in September of last year.
After introducing John Miller, president, and CEO of the Guide Dog Foundation, to Casey’s father John Niekens, the Guide Dog Foundation was able to identify a career change black Labrador Retriever that has now been adopted into the Neikens family! The dog provides Casey with companionship in his everyday activities and allows Casey to enjoy the natural therapeutic support that comes with forming a close bond with a dog in the comfort of his own home.
“I want to thank CMM Cares for introducing us to John Miller and the Guide Dog Foundation,” Beth Neikens, mother of Casey, says. “Our dog is an absolute joy. Casey is such a different kid, so happy and so full of energy. She is the absolute perfect, sweetest little dog.”
“The Guide Dog Foundation is proud to work with a great partner like CMM Cares in placing this career change dog with the Neikens family,” said John Miller. “It is so impactful when local nonprofits can join forces on initiatives like this. We are eager to watch the bond grow between Casey and the pup and work with CMM Cares on future projects.”
“We are so thankful for the Guide Dog Foundation and their generous offering for the Neikens family,” says Victoria Tringone, Executive Director of CMM Cares. “By working together with organizations like the Guide Dog Foundation, we can compound our efforts and continue supporting our Adopted Families beyond our yearlong commitment.”
Following a successful year, we are pleased to share that we are able to support two families for 2022! Learn more about them and how you can get involved here.
On June 6th, 2022, CMM Cares hosted our annual Charity Golf Outing at St. George’s Golf & Country Club in Setauket. Over 100 attendees and over 15 sponsors showed their support for our Adopted Family initiative, allowing us to increase the help we can provide for our families of this year. Sponsors and guests of the business community joined together to start the day with a BBQ, a massage, and a cigar before heading to the course for an 18-hole shamble. Later, guests enjoyed cocktails, a raw bar and delicious hor d’oeuvres outdoors while the venue buzzed with music by Rubber Soul. We ended the night with a delectable dinner and award ceremony to commemorate our 2022 Community Leader, Sal Ferro.
It was a fabulous day and evening and we are looking forward to the next one! Thank you to all of our incredibly generous sponsors, guests, and donors. Your contribution will go towards changing the lives of our neighbors.
