Kevin Lawlor, the president of Huntington Hospital, with Councilwoman Susan Berland, Supervisor Frank P. Petrone, Clark Gillies, Councilman Mark Curthbertson and Councilwoman Glenda A. Jackson.
By Susannah Mrazek
Councilman Mark Cuthbertson and the Huntington Town Board recently acknowledged former Islander hockey sensation and Hall of Famer Clark Gillies for his generous donation towards the completion of the pediatric emergency wing of Huntington Hospital.
Gillies is a former professional ice hockey player and Hall of Famer, who was a left winger for the New York Islanders for 12 years, during which time the team won four Stanley Cups.
Gillies and the Gillies Foundation have given a million dollars towards this endeavor, and the most recent gift of $225,000 will allow Huntington Hospital to provide safe, comfortable emergency support services to children from the ages of 1-12.
Huntington Hospital President Kevin Lawlor worked with Gillies to endure that the new inpatient facility catered to children by providing toys, video games and child size medical equipment. The facility will also have a separate entrance so that children may feel more at ease.
“As a parent I know first hand that emergency rooms can be a frightening place for a child,” remarked Councilman Cuthbertson as he presented Gillies with a special Proclamation from the Town of Huntington. “That is why Mister Gillies and the Gillies Foundation’s donation is so important to the children of our community and to our Town. On behalf of our youngest citizens, we thank him for helping to make Huntington an even better place to live.”
Susannah Mrazek is a legislative aide to the Huntington Town Board.`