Members of the Electrical Welfare Club and guests from the Muscular Dystrophy Association enjoying the day at Belmont Park.
The Electrical Welfare Club of Local 3, IBEW held their 39th annual Muscular Dystrophy Outing on Saturday, July 23, 2016. This was the 13th year that the New York Racing Authority graciously made it possible to hold the outing at Belmont Park.
Early in the morning, dozens of volunteers consisting of Electrical Welfare Club members and their families decorated the large pavilion in front of the racetrack. Signs were hung; tables were set and colorful balloon centerpieces were in place. By 11 am, the first guests from Nassau, Suffolk and New York City chapters of the Muscular Dystrophy Association began to arrive. After they were greeted and given their name tags, club members assisted them to their tables.
Once inside, DJ Russell Targove of ReQuest Anything entertained our guests. The room was livened up with some music, karaoke and dancing. We also had our very own clowns, retired brother Nick Marer, Sister Alyssa Sadofsky, daughter of brother Steven Sadofsky, sister Jillian Herman and Jack Cohen, son of brother Matthew Cohen. The clowns worked the room providing their own entertainment and put smiles on the faces of our guests. Thanks to Local 3 member Jerry Presta and his Junior Fire Fighters of the East Norwich Fire Company as well as the Elmont Fire Department who gave the children the exciting opportunity to ride on a fire truck, use the hoses and the equipment.
By 11:30 am, the room was filled with over 200 guests. An announcement was made introducing EWC Vice President Marc Deutscher as “Dr. Bingo.” Dr. Bingo is a staple figure at the outing. Dr. Bingo was assisted by Marc’s sons Matthew and Evan and Melanie Portnoy, daughter of Brother Paul Portnoy. Throughout the day many different games of bingo were played and wonderful prizes were given to the winners. Some of the prizes were coffee makers, cooler bags, mini speakers, headphones and more. We also had once again “Mr. Penny Jar,” retired member Marty Reicher, working the room giving everyone a chance to guess how many pennies were in a jar. The two closest guessers were awarded prizes. There was also one lucky guest who won 4 tickets to an upcoming New York Mets game courtesy of the New York Mets.
Members of the Electrical Welfare Club grilled a fabulous “kosher” BBQ lunch and as soon as it was ready, they served up what seemed like an unlimited amount of food and beverages. After some watermelon and later ice cream, Business Representative Elliot Hecht addressed the crowd. He welcomed everyone to our annual event. He thanked EWC President Steven Sadofsky, the event Chairman Paul Portnoy, Co-Chairman Robert Krieger and all the volunteers who helped to give our guests a memorable afternoon. Senior Assistant Business Manager Ray Melville stopped be to say hello to everyone and thanked them for their support of this wonderful event. The fun and games then resumed.
At the end of the event, when it was time to leave, all of our guests left with some goodies from this fun-filled day. The outing was a huge success. The Muscular Dystrophy Association of New York was grateful for the hard work and generosity of the Electrical Welfare Club and all the support of the electrical contractors and supply houses that made this such a wonderful event. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to give back to such a worthy cause.
