''Recognized for the good they do'

I would like to take this opportunity to thank some wonderful people for performing a very good deed. The Tommy Dowd Memorial Foundation held its first Family Festival on June 4 at Black Rock Fish and Game Club on Route 32 near Cornwall in an effort to raise money for scholarships and other groups we work with. The day before the event, the foundation took delivery of a beverage cart provided by Manhattan Beer Distributors. At 10a.m. the day of the festival, we arrived at the club to begin setting up only to discover the cart had been vandalized and most of the contents removed. To make matters worse, several of the components used to serve the beverages had been removed rendering the cart inoperable. With only a few hours until the start of the event, we were in a real bind. We contacted the Cornwall Police who were extremely helpful with the required reports. We also called Dawn VerValin from Manhattan Beer. Not only did Dawn send a service technician to repair the cart, she also replaced the beverages that were stolen. Thanks to her, the event continued as planned with no disruption or lack of products. I mention this because too many times some people are quick to criticize when things do not go as planned. Rarely are people recognized for the good they do. I want to bring attention to Dawn VerValin and the Manhattan Beer people. Because of their efforts and our many other generous sponsors the day was a huge success. It’s the volunteers and sponsors that make it possible for the foundation to award scholarships to deserving students and many other groups who are in need of assistance. We thank you all very much. Greg O’Connor, president Tommy Dowd Memorial Foundation To contact the foundation, go to www.tommydowdmemorialfoundation.com or send an e-mail to oc7757@optonline.net.