Kiwanis to Honor Hewlett House at Golf Tournament

The Kiwanis Club of the Five Towns will honor cancer support center the Hewlett House on Monday, July 9, at its 39th annual golf tournament, the group’s biggest fundraising event of the year.

“It is my goal to broadcast that Hewlett House is not just about breast cancer,” said Tom Cohen, the Kiwanis comptroller and an organizer of the tournament. “[Hewlett House President] Geri Barish and her amazing unpaid staff are helping men and women, children and adults. It is a wonderful organization that deserves our support.”

Proceeds from the full-day event, which will be held at the Middle Bay Country Club in Oceanside, support numerous Five Towns Kiwanis programs, including sending kids to Kamp Kiwanis, scholarships for local high school students and other programs that assist children, the elderly and the needy. The tournament is named after the late Kiwanis past president Marty Mongoni, an avid golfer and dedicated Kiwanian.

“It’s wonderful to be recognized by the community you work in and support,” Barish said. “We’re very thankful that they’re doing this. It’s nice to know you’re appreciated.”

She added, joking, “I wish I played golf.”

Although the tournament is nearly sold out, some spots are still available. And the club is always looking for more sponsors.

Prizes will also be distributed at the event. The big one is a two-night stay at the Borgata in Atlantic City, courtesy of Robert Boughner, a former resident of the Five Towns.

On a more local level, Kiwanis member Dr. Fred Seltzer, a dentist whose office is in East Rockaway, is donating a teeth cleaning and bleaching package worth about $700 as a prize.

“I’ve been involved with Kiwanis since 1980. I know what they do,” he said. “I like an organization that stays local and deals with children — 100 percent of the money raised goes to charity.”