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Community Corner

Port Resident Takes 145-Mile Ride for LI Crisis Center

Norman Kay will bike ride from Penn Station to Montauk on Saturday to raise money for the Long Island Crisis Center.

For Port Washington resident Norman Kay, life is about living to the fullest. It's not only about how you can make yourself better, but more importantly, it's about what you can do for others, and that has been Kay's mission during his 12-plus years as a hotline counselor and member of the board of directors at the Long Island Crisis Center (LICC) in Bellmore.

"I wanted to do more on a broader basis," said Kay, who has had a very successful career as the CEO of IBC Shell Packaging, which he started in 1967. "I felt like I could help people even more."

Now Kay is taking it to the next level. On Saturday, June 19, Kay will get on a bike and ride 145 miles from Penn Station to Montauk to benefit LICC.

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"The extraordinary effort of this marathon bike ride is only matched by Norman's extraordinary dedication to the Long Island Crisis Center's mission of providing unique and life-saving services to the community," said Linda Leonard, executive director of Long Island Crisis Center.

Long Island Crisis Center takes calls from almost 20,000 people per year, and a lot of them are children. Issues addressed range from spousal abuse, child abuse, suicidal threats and even more.

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The 145-mile bike ride will take a little more than 10 hours to complete, and the only stops will be made to stretch and have a bite to eat.

"It's a beautiful ride," Kay said. "I am lucky to be a part of it."

Kay, 67, will join hundreds of riders on the quest from Manhattan to Montauk, and although it is not his first long bike ride, he knows he is going to stick out.

"I will probably be one of the elder statesmen of the group," Kay said. "I am not afraid of this physical challenge."

It has been almost 26 years since Kay competed in a ride of this magnitude.

Having competed in three centuries, or 100-mile rides, before, Kay has never gone as far as the 145 miles that he will go on Saturday. But he made it a point to say that there is nothing that is going to stop him from taking part in this special ride.

"I am going to be there no matter what," Kay said. "If it's rain or shine, I will still be on that bike."

Long Island Crisis Center has already raised almost $5,000 in Kay's name, and he said it means a lot to him to be able to contribute to society.

"Anything we can do to help stop people from hurting themselves is worth the while," Kay said. "I am happy to do my part."

While common sense would make most people think Kay would rest after his lengthy trip, his plans include the contrary. After he has a driver follow him to Montauk, he will have the driver sleep in the back of the van while Kay drives home. Then, Kay will be greeted by his daughter, grandson and others as they celebrate his journey.

"I plan to dance for the rest of the night," Kay said.

Despite having his eggs in so many baskets, Kay has not regretted a single moment of his life.

"When you are helpful, it's the best way of being selfish," Kay said. "The greatest feeling is to be of help to another human being."

For more information or to donate, visit the Long Island Crisis Center's website.

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