20th Annual Golf Outing Drives Awareness and Resources to Help Long Islanders Facing Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders

Nassau County, NY (August 8, 2019) – As co-occurring opioid usage and mental health issues continue ravaging Long Island’s families at record levels, over 200 supporters and volunteers from near and far showed their support for the area’s leading mental health and substance use treatment provider—nonprofit CN Guidance & Counseling Services—by attending its 20th annual Golf Outing fundraiser and awareness-builder. The event, held July 15th at the Town of Oyster Bay Golf Course in Woodbury, sold out and raised tens of thousands of dollars.

Despite some recent positive news that fatal opioid overdoses fell -24% last year, over the last two years nearly 1,000 Long Island residents have died—the most ever. And many of those with addictions simultaneously face untreated mental illness.

The Golf Outing fundraiser—emceed this year by Greg Cergol of NBC 4 New York—has proven to repeatedly draw concerned and generous supporters in what has become an annual tradition that combines issue-awareness building; an honoring of community members leading positive change; an enjoyable round of golf; along with a dinner, fundraising raffle and silent auction—all raising money for a vital cause.

Event proceeds support the pioneering nonprofit’s critical ability to help almost 7000 individuals annually to address and overcome addiction, severe depression, anxiety, suicidality, and other mental health and substance use disorders.

Jeffrey Friedman

CEO of CN Guidance & Counseling Services

“For us to enable recovery of the thousands of individuals we serve each year, we count heavily on community support—especially now, during a time when access to vital treatment is needed more than ever.” said Jeffrey Friedman, CEO of CN Guidance & Counseling Services (cnguidance.org). “The energy and enthusiasm for this event for the last twenty years is a true testament to the commitment of our community to our long-term goals of preventing and treating both substance use and mental health disorders.”

The evening also took time to honor John Recine, owner of JR Car Service TLC, which is one of the largest medical transportation companies in the region, for his special partnership, dedication and contributions toward improving individuals’ and the community’s health. CN Guidance clients rely on John’s safe, consistent and compassionate transportation to their appointments.  “I assume TLC in JR Car Service TLC stands for Taxi and Limousine Commission,” said Nancy Manigat, COO of CN Guidance. “But to us at CN Guidance – and the vulnerable people we serve – it stands for Tender-Loving–Care.”

CN Guidance and Counseling would like to thank the 2019 event’s generous sponsors including Cook Maran, Alcott HR, JR Car Service TLC, Brown Weinraub, M&T Bank, Nawrocki Smith, Mutual of America, A&C Pest Management, Wilbur Kranz, Tusa & Associates, The B&G Group, Anton Cerrone, Jackson Lewis, and Duncan & Sue MacDonald—along with dozens of businesses that made in-kind or cash donations.

We would also like to congratulate our golfers who competed for the coveted Richard J. O’Brien Memorial Trophy:

1st Place Team: Nawrocki Smith

2nd Place Team: Ivionics

3rd Place Team: Empire National Bank

Putting Contest: Sean O’Malley

Longest Drive: Patti Kielawa and Nick Marcello

Closest to the Pin: Rich Emmons and Patti Kielawa

About CN Guidance

Established in 1972, the purpose of CN Guidance & Counseling Services, Inc., a nonprofit organization, and the only state Certified Community Behavioral Health Center on Long Island, is to inspire and catalyze recovery for people living with mental health and substance use conditions through innovative and person-centered integrated clinical treatment, counseling, housing and support services—empowering those served to live healthy and fulfilling lives.