Coast Guard Sector New York's New Family Meeting Center Dedicated
When New York City became the 25th community to earn the designation of “Coast Guard City” earlier this year, the Coast Guard Foundation joined the celebration by awarding a $10,000 grant to Coast Guard Sector New York, to remodel and refresh its Family Meeting Center at its Staten Island base.
After a summer-long renovation under the careful and creative direction of several Coast Guard spouses and the Sector New York Spouses Club, and other volunteers, the space was re-dedicated in September with a gathering of Coast Guard families and leadership.
From Left: Captain Jason Tama (Sector Commander), Jennifer Ready, Dian Eckstrom, Letty Cortizo-Caro, Angela Evans, Marcus Evans (Command Master Chief), April Beane (Spouses Club President), and Cindy Smith.
Sector New York is the largest Coast Guard operational field command on the East Coast. Spanning from Sandy Hook, New Jersey, northwards up the Hudson River to just south of Lake Champlain and to locations bridging the New York and Connecticut borders.
In May, New York City became the 25th community to earn the designation of “Coast Guard City”. The Coast Guard City program is an honorary designation that recognizes communities’ special efforts to celebrate the service and sacrifice of Coast Guard men and women. New York City was recognized for its longstanding efforts to embrace Coast Guard men, women, and families stationed in Staten Island during their tour of duty in New York City.
We can’t thank the Foundation enough for this generous gift and much needed improvement for our families here at Sector New York.
While many volunteers helped paint, refinish and design the space, two Coast Guard spouses led the effort. Leticia Cortizo-Cara, served as the lead designer, and Angela Evans served as the primary work coordinator, and were both recognized by the Coast Guard with Certificates of Merit.
“The renovations and improvement to the space are nothing short of remarkable and could be the envy of any HGTV designer”, remarked Susan Ludwig, Coast Guard Foundation President. “I am equally impressed by the volunteers’ ability to stretch the grant in a way that maximized the impact they could make. We are honored to support this project that has given the Staten Island Coast Guard community a bright, clean space to hold community meetings, birthday parties and holiday celebrations.”
