Blogs 12 Long Island: A Morale Boosting Night

By Doug Geed

I know, I know -- the news is depressing to listen to these days. Now imagine how me and my fellow anchors at News 12 feel every single day talking about the recession, layoffs, foreclosures and bailouts. So much of this is cyclical -- just part of our economic system. But an awful lot of it is due to just plain greed.

That's why it was so enjoyable for me to host the recent Suffolk County Council Boy Scouts annual dinner where the organization gave out its Distinguished Citizen Award. This year there were three recipients -- all of them professional athletes who I've enjoyed rooting for in the past -- and all of them Long Islanders who give back so much to their community.
Marty Lyons -- the former defensive lineman and member of the so-called Sack Exchange for the NY Jets was honored along with two former NY Islanders -- Clark Gillies and Pat LaFontaine.

   Marty founded and heads the Marty Lyons Foundation which, since 1982, has granted wishes to terminally ill children. Pat's organization -- Companions in Courage -- builds unique interactive game rooms in hospitals for children. And Clark's group -- The Clark Gillies Foundation -- helps children across Long Island and the tri-state area who are physically or financially handicapped.
      Think of all the nonsense going on involving professional athletes these days. They make millions of dollars playing a game yet waste their talents and disappoint their family, friends and fans by refusing to play for their team because they don't like the way management has decided to use them -- or by driving drunk -- or by organizing illegal dog-fighting gambling rings -- or by carrying guns illegally in public places.
   But it was refreshing to see these talented athletes who now spend their lives helping the less fortunate.

And as for the Boy Scouts -- what an amazing group of kids. You hear all the bad news happening in the world -- all the lying, cheating and greed -- and then you look to this organization and the volunteers and the participants and it gives you such a boost in morale. Their dedication to country, to family, to community and just basic simple goodness is an inspiration in so many ways. What an honor to share in their great night.