There’s a [Great Neck] Park District election on Tuesday, Dec. 13.
I confess: I only know Frank Cilluffo at the park district because he coaches the young ice hockey players.
But this is what I have seen for myself.
Frank’s joy in passing on his knowledge of the sport is so contagious that even shy kids feel more confidence when he helps them.
This love of our kids is something that can ‘t be faked. Not only does Frank give of his time, over and over, but he takes even more time to reach out to the children who may not be star quality.
His special attention to kids who need more shows the man‘s real heart.
I can’t thank him enough for helping the kids who happen to be close to me.
Frank‘s energy is catching and so is his can-do spirit, which he tries to show in every coaching lesson.
Our children learn how real grownups behave not just from their parents, but from teachers and coaches and all the other adults they see day after day.
I know there is another candidate running for this office, but I for one hope that everyone votes for Frank Cilluffo.
He has shown himself to be just the right example for our kids, especially in our parks.
These parks of ours are supposed to be fun, not political battlegrounds .
Frank has proved himself over the past two years by always showing up for the kids, always giving more than 100 percent of himself.
But the most important lesson he teaches is that these park games should be fun!
Kids who won’t grow up to be sports heroes can still come home feeling proud of their game.
They had fun with their teammates and want to talk all about it. And isn t that the real point of games in the park district?
Someone always has to teach children that losing a game or missing a goal or not making the team is not the end of the world. The lessons our kids learn in sports will stay with them, for good or ill, for years to come.
From what I can tell, the lessons Frank teaches on the ice aren‘t just about the hockey rules or how to make a backhand pass.
I think Coach Cilluffo really wants to see our kids have fun and feel good about themselves . No one can fake his type of commitment to our children’s learning through fun and sports.
I can‘t give kids those lessons in ice hockey and sportsmanship and fair play and constant efforts to get better at a sport that they love.
Those lessons can only be learned on the playing fields, whether those fields are made of ice or water or grass or hardwood.
I can‘t thank Frank enough for being the example he bas become to these young people.
If kids could vote, I know Frank would be elected.
Children always seem to know who is really on their side. I hope everyone will take a cue from their own offspring and keep Frank Cilluffo in office as one of our park commissioners.
Because it’s not just the administrative skills of our officials that make the difference in our lives.
Sometimes it‘s the effect they have on the people we love.
In a few years’ time I bet no one will remember much about some park budget item.
But I think all parents will remember the thrill their kids felt when they made the team, or mastered some tricky bit of ice work.
Maybe when they get into middle school or high school or college they will still be using the skills and patience they learned from their park district coaches.
I really want everyone’s children to keep learning from coach Cilluffo. His kind of dedication just can ‘t be faked or dressed up for an election.
I hope you vote for him on the 13th of December.
Joanna Silver
Great Neck
Readers Write: Cilluffo brings parent’s passion to G.N. parks
