Knights of Columbus Provide Relief as Senior Center Renovations Continue

By Debbie Greco Cohen

The Port Washington Senior Center has been temporarily closed for renovations.  But programs such as tai chi, yoga, painting, hot lunches and the others offered to the community’s seniors will continue thanks to the generosity of the Knights of Columbus.

With the popular programs in at risk, the center's board of directors and staff approved an alternate location for the four-six week renovation period.

The Town of North Hempstead, which owns the Senior Center building and is funding and overseeing the work being done, worked closely with the Senior Center board to locate temporary space. 

Jim Avena, both a Board member of the Senior Citizens Center and Deputy Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, approached Grand Knight Kevin Eustace and Columbian Club President Anthony Carpinelli about allowing the Senior Center to utilize the Knights of Columbus (Knights) hall.

The Knights facility offer a sizeable multi-purpose room and boasts a kitchen, which enables kitchen staff to continue to prepare hot, nutritious meals for senior members.

The seniors say they grateful to have a place where they can continue to enjoy these programs, lunches and conversing with their friends until their “home away from home” is ready to return to.

“It is our great pleasure to help the senior citizens of our community,” said Kevin Eustace, Grand Knight for the Knights of Columbus. “It is wonderful to see our facility being used by so many people in so many different ways. The Senior Center offers so many wonderful programs. Gives me something to look forward to when I retire!”

The Board and staff of the Port Washington Senior Citizens Center says they are thankful  the entire Knights of Columbus membership for the extremely generous offer to host the senior citizens during the renovation period. Special thanks go to Kevin Eustace and Anthony Carpinelli, both of who were instrumental in approving this agreement.