Johnny Mac Foundation Honors Bayport-Blue Point Public Library At Gala Event

The Bayport-Blue Point Public Library was honored by The Johnny Mac Foundation at the organization’s “14th Wish Gala” attended by more than 150 guests at the Stonebridge Country Club in

on February 8.

Based in Blue Point, the Johnny Mac Foundation pursues two missions: it aids first responders, and it supports the local community. The Foundation assists 9/11 first responders and first responder organizations. It also provides aid when needs arise in the local community such as helping neighbors in difficult financial circumstances as a result of unanticipated events.

The foundation is named after FDNY firefighter John F. McNamara of Blue Point, a first responder who died from cancer in 2009 at age 44 in the aftermath of performing hundreds of hours of rescue and recovery work at the World Trade Center site following the 2001 terror attacks.

Mr. McNamara’s final wishes included the desire to establish a center in Blue Point that would help serve the interests of families and the local community. In response, the Bayport-Blue Point Library Board last August voted to lease the cottage on its newly acquired St. Ursuline Center property to the Foundation. Construction on the overall site is scheduled to begin this spring.

The Library has also collaborated with the Foundation to co-host a myriad of community-oriented programming.

Several elected officials presented proclamations to the Library at the event. They included State Assemblyman Andrew Garbarino, Brookhaven Councilman Neil Foley, and Suffolk County Legislator Rob Colarco, who also serves as the County Legislature’s presiding officer. Also present was Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon.

“The Bayport-Blue Point Public Library deserves the praise of our entire community for helping to make John’s vision a reality,” said Jennifer McNamara, the founder and president of the Foundation, who is also Mr. McNamara’s widow. “John was motivated by a powerful desire to help others, and the Library’s new center will provide a physical location where people can work in partnership to build a stronger community.”

“Everyone on the Library team is humbled and gratified to be recognized by the Johnny Mac Foundation,” said Ronald Devine, library board president. “Libraries are service providers by their very nature, and we are driven by a strong spirit of service. Few local residents could ever match the commitment to service personified by the life of John McNamara.”

At the Gala, Foundation leaders highlighted the forthcoming Johnny Mac Annual Golf Outing to take place on July 16 at the Stonebridge Country Club in Smithtown. The event features a pre-golf breakfast, contests, giveaways, a BBQ lunch, a celebratory dinner, a 50/50, and raffles.

For more information about the Johnny Mac Foundation go to www.johnnymacfoundation.org or contact jennifer.mcnamara@johnnymacfoundation.org.