GWL American Legion overflows with support for Madeline Napolitano

GREENWOOD LAKE - Approximately 400 people attended last Sunday’s “Kickoff for Madeline,” a fundraising event held at the Greenwood Lake American Legion Post to help and support Madeline Napolitano of Tuxedo, who has served as the scorekeeper at George F. Baker High School in Tuxedo for the past 48 years. In October 2009, Napolitano suffered a fall that broke one of her vertebrae and left her partially paralyzed. She’s been hospitalized and in rehabilitation since that time, unable to live at home by herself. Currently, she lives in an apartment at the Promenade, wheelchair-bound with a 24 hour aide to help with all her daily needs. The funds raised will assist Napolitano with all the expenses she has incurred for her care not covered by insurance. Organizers said a highlight of the afternoon was the singing of “God Bless America” by Jonathan Kronor and Vincent King. For many years, Napolitano began the Town of Tuxedo’s annual Memorial Day services by singing this song. Napolitano’s dependable score keeping abilities for the girls and boys soccer and basketball teams - as well as the attention she gives to team members with her positive comments and the homemade goodies she has made for them - has made her an iconic figure in the Tuxedo and Greenwood Lake communities by generations of students and families. - Nancy Kriz

Those who helped
Organizers said the support of the Tuxedo and Greenwood Lake communities made the event the success that it was. They acknowledged area businesses and organizations who provided gift basket items and other donations to support the afternoon gathering:
The Arthur Faineance American Legion, Anaconda Sports , Bentley’s Deli, Betty’s Eye Catching Styles, the Castle Fun Center, Characters Bar and Restaurant, Country Grocery, Dunking Donuts of Clarksburg, Elite Cinema 6 of Chester and Emerald Point Restaurant.
Businesses also assisting were: Golden Nails, the Greenwood Lake Gaelic Society, the Greenwood Lake PTA, Hair Razors, Hickory Hollow Nursery and Garden Center, Home Town Food Market, Hunan Garden, J and J Jump Rentals, Jasmine Imports, Just a Buck-Chester, Kwok Mart and Manhattan Beer Distributors.