Table of Contents
Cover Story:
Only Time Will Tell
A look ahead at what 2007 will mean for Rockland
Feature Story:
How Will He Do That?
Hector May has big plans for the RBA
DEPARTMENTS:
Economics Roundup
• The Smart Investor
Try a financial diet in 2007
• Economic
Viewpoint
Coming to America or conundrum continued
Business Roundup
• Office Efficiency
Streamlining office operations through lean processes
• Marketing By Design
Branding your image - it's not just for the "big" guys
Ask The Experts
• Business Start-ups
Getting your basics together
• Is It Tax Season Yet?
Your tax questions answered
Retail Round-Up
• Feast or Famine
Taking the pulse of the local restaurant biz
• In The News
Invest in Your Community
• Heart of a Lyon
Former Jet delivers an inspirational message
• Family Shelter Honors
First-ever program recognizes community contributions
Odds & Ends
• From The Publishers
• PR Patter
Dedicated Section:
Rockland Business Association:
The President’s Desk
All in all, it was a very good year
Handing Over The Torch
Annual membership luncheon introduces new RBA board
RBA Happenings
• Committee and Council Info
• Calendar of Events
• New Members
Invest
in Your Community :
The Heart of a Lyon
Former Jets lineman talks about the
importance of giving back
By Ken Mahoney
Guest speaker Marty Lyons, the former New York Jets defensive lineman, and member of the famed “sack exchange,” surprised us with a full blast of inspiration from the reservoir of his soul. He had told us he’d be talking about teamwork, but instead he chose to go deeper and talk about what he feels is the most important thing in life: giving to others and the faith it inspires.
Lyons has set out to do so much more with his life than just be a successful sports figure or financial broker (his other profession); he is the founder of the Marty Lyons Foundation, a charity that offers wishes and emotional support to terminally ill children and their families. In my involvement with the Make-A-Wish foundation, I have seen my share of heart-touching stories and inspiring miracles. Lyons shared stories about the miracles he’s witnessed and the passion and wisdom it’s brought into his life.
The secret jewel to winning in the game of life is “to give of yourself, that others may grow,” Lyons said. It was his college coach, the famed Paul “Bear” Bryant of the University of Alabama that first told him that upon his completion of college. The message didn’t seep in with him until his father died shortly after the end of the 1982 NFL season, he said.
After that harrowing event, many things clicked in his brain and he started to remember that jewel Bryant had left him with. Lyons challenged the audience to try out Bryant’s advice and see if it works. He assured us it would; sharing several stories of children he’d seen exhibit bravery beyond anything he ever experienced on the football field.
One story I found very touching was that of a young man who was dying of terminal cancer. He was determined that before he died he would raise $50,000 to renovate one of the rooms in the children’s hospital. His faith kept him alive for months as he was determined to raise the money. As his health deteriorated, his passion only accelerated. In the end he made a plea for donations on a local radio station and finally broke the $50,000 barrier. Later that evening he died. The child believed he’d be going to heaven.
“If you really want to do something, you just do it,” Lyons said simply.
He also imparted another moral several times through the speech, that he had learned from a reverend. “He who has much, much is expected,” the reverend said.
For me and many others it really was a call to appreciate the love in our lives and to help the community. It made us remember that we are all in this together and that anything is possible. I am sure some in the audience were a little taken aback, not expecting to hear such a spiritually inspiring talk. I heard of many others, however, going home to give their loved ones a warm embrace and think about what more we can do to help those out there in the world who have had it tough.
One good way to give back is through many of the deserving and worthwhile organizations that Rockland Business Digest spotlights in each issue. It’s easy for you, your co-workers or your business to participate in Rockland’s future: just volunteer, donate, or take part.
In May the Rockland Chapter of NYSSCPA will sponsor a golf outing. To learn more, visit www.nysscpa.org or contact Dave Herman (davecpapc@aol.com - 845-708-0500) or Michael D. Seidenberg (seidenbergcpa@aol.com - 845-639-3183).
To learn more about the Marty Lyons Foundation visit www.martylyonsfoundation.org. RBD
Rockland Family Shelter honors Verizon and Baer McIntosh
Rockland Family Shelter hosted its First Annual Business Award Luncheon in December, honoring Verizon Wireless/The Verizon Foundation, and Baer McIntosh Real Estate with The Simona and Jerome A. Chazen Business Award. The award honors businesses working to end violence against women.
“The significance of naming the award in honor of Jerry and Simona is quite interesting,” said Carolyn Fish, Executive Director of Rockland Family Shelter. “Over the years, The Chazens have been true ambassadors in terms of articulating the issues surrounding domestic violence.”
Fish pointed out that Simona Chazen was one of the founding members of The Rockland Family Shelter back in 1978. In addition, Jerry in his capacity as CEO of Liz Claiborne Inc. began to take this issue to the corporate community by challenging companies to incorporate the concept of domestic violence as a workplace safety initiative. He then instituted policies within Liz Claiborne and helped to bring domestic violence to national attention when he called a meeting of CEO’s from many of the Fortune 500 companies. As a result, companies such as Verizon, Avon and others have embraced this critical issue and made it part of their company’s human resource initiatives.
Both Simona and Jerome Chazen shared their experiences as initiators of national corporate and community collaboration to end violence against women. In addition, Jerome Chazen, the keynote speaker, focused his remarks on venture capital. Mr. Chazen is Founder and Chairman of Chazen Capital Partners, a private investment firm. Jerry began as an analyst on Wall Street and then spent 16 years in retailing, prior to founding Liz Claiborne, Inc.
“Verizon Wireless and the Verizon Foundation plus Baer McIntosh Real Estate have also been significant forces in championing the devastating effects of domestic violence.” stated Business Luncheon Committee chairs JoEllen Putter and Diane Sussman. “We are thrilled to be able to recognize their efforts over the years and acknowledge their contributions to our agency’s mission and vision at the Luncheon”.
About Rockland Family Shelter: Rockland Family Shelter is a private non-profit grassroots organization, dedicated to serving domestic violence and sexual assault victims and their families. Through direct services, education, advocacy, agency consultation and leadership in coordinated community action, we work to create a community where women and children can live with dignity and equality, free from abuse. Almost twenty percent of the Rockland Family Shelter budget is funded by private donations and it cannot maintain or expand its services without help.
There are numerous ways to make a tax-deductible donation to Rockland Family Shelter, from cash donations to becoming a member. A corporate or individual membership will help insure that the RFS struggle to end domestic violence and sexual trauma in our community will remain strong, vital, and growing.
The Shelter also welcomes In-Kind Donations, as well as bequests, donations in memory and matching gifts. For more information visit www.rocklandfamilyshelter.org or give them a call at 845-634-3391. RBD
Donations Needed
New York Blood Center needs donors to stem shortage
The New York Blood Center needs your help. There is currently a blood shortage, so consider whether your company can invest in the community by hosting a blood drive or encouraging employees to give. According to the NYBC, the Rockland area requires 400 pints of blood per day to provide blood to cancer patients, accident victims, surgical patients and other people requiring transfusions. Statistically, 1 out of 3 people will need blood in their lifetime. That means you or someone close to you.
The main reason why people don’t donate? No one ever asked. Well, consider yourself asked. There is no substitute for volunteer blood donors. Blood cannot be manufactured and it lasts a short time (42 days). With less than 2% of the population giving blood, the Blood Center is always looking for new donors.
Many people believe they don’t have enough blood to spare, but the average adult has between 8-10 pints of blood and can safely donate 5-6 times each year (every 56 days) Our bodies replace the fluid volume within 24 hours and the red cells within 56 days. With only 2% of the New York community giving blood as compared to 5% of the nation, regular and frequent blood donors are needed.
It takes approximately 45 minutes from start to finish (registration to cookies and juice) to donate blood. In just 45 minutes, you can give someone else all the time in the world!
To start a blood drive or to donate, contact the New York Blood Center/Hudson Valley Blood Services at (914) 784-4635, or go to www.nybloodcenter.org.
