(Contact: Epoch 5 Public Relations)
Bethpage, NY – Bethpage Federal Credit Union is the presenting sponsor of Arts Alive LI, October’s month-long celebration of the vibrant cultural offerings available to visitors and the people who live in Long Island, NY. Arts Alive LI, under the auspices of The Long Island Arts Alliance (LIAA), officially launched today with a press conference at the Cradle of Aviation Museum attended by Bethpage President and CEO Kirk Kordeleski and representatives from the region’s cultural scene, invited guests, media partners, Long Island Community Foundation, and local officials.
Kordeleski, a dedicated supporter of Long Island’s cultural organizations, has served on the boards of, among others, the Nassau County Museum of Art, Friends of the Arts, and The Tilles Center, and spoke of the commitment to Arts Alive LI: “As the President & CEO of Bethpage Federal Credit Union for 12 years, I’ve been privileged to represent our members in promoting the welfare of our region and the benefits of living here. The arts are essential to our community spirit and contribute to our economic well being. I encourage everyone to take advantage of the world-class events occurring simultaneously across Long Island during October’s Arts Alive LI.”
In collaboration with Long Island artists, venues, cultural groups and institutions, the website www.artsaliveli.org has been created as a one-stop portal for detailed information on cultural locations and events, from author readings, exhibits and concerts to street festivals that are scheduled to occur across Long Island during the National Arts and Humanities month of October and beyond.
In welcoming the press and dignitaries, LIAA Executive Director Theresa Statz-Smith described the festival as “an appreciation of Long Island as a cultural destination with great art, music, theater, film, events, and festivals.”
Dignitaries and officials commended Bethpage for its underwriting and endorsement of Arts Alive LI as a unifying collaboration for Long Island. On hand was New York State Senator Carl L. Marcellino; Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano; Kristen Walsh, Long Island Regional Director from the Office of Senator Kristen E. Gillibrand; Kevin S. Law, President & CEO of the Long Island Association; John R. Bransfield, Jr., Chair of the Board of The Long Island Arts Alliance; John Servidio, General Manager, WLIW & NJTV; Linda Armyn, SVP of Bethpage and Chair of the Board of the Cradle of Aviation Museum; Theresa Statz-Smith, Executive Director, Long Island Arts Alliance.
In addition to artists and representatives from the arts, American Idol contestant and Long Island native Jerome Bell sang the National Anthem.
Bethpage partners with many arts organizations across Long Island and employees often volunteer time to support cultural events. Past and present engagements include: Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts, John W. Engeman Theater, Hofstra University Museum and Hofstra University Festivals, Great Neck Arts Center and its ART Reach program in Uniondale and Roosevelt schools, The YMCA and YMCA Boulton Center, The Landmark on Main Street, The Port Jefferson Village Art Walk & Pet Adoption, The Glen Cove Downtown Sounds Summer Concert Series, Islip Arts Council, Long Island Philharmonic and the Huntington Arts Council’s Summer Festival Series.
To promote Arts Alive LI, Bethpage will sponsor and engage in multiple events over the month including the Cradle of Aviation Museum’s Sky Planetarium Kids Event October 6; the Long Island Children’s Museum Puppet Show & Workshops October 20; and the Patchogue Arts Festival October 21.
Bethpage Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative, existing solely to serve its members and has experienced rapid growth in recent years to become a strong alternative to banks. Bethpage was approved for the largest federal community charter in the U.S. in 2003 and now is Long Island’s largest credit union and leading community financial institution with over 205,000 members, 26 branches and 60 shared service center locations throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties. As a financial cooperative, Bethpage offers better rates, lower fees and a full menu of personal and commercial financial services.
Bethpage maintains branch locations in Bay Shore, Bay Shore King Kullen, Bethpage, Central Islip, Commack King Kullen, Elmont, Farmingdale, Freeport, Glen Cove, Hempstead, Huntington, Levittown King Kullen, Lynbrook, Massapequa, Melville, Mineola, North Babylon, Patchogue, Port Jefferson, Riverhead, Seaford, Smithtown, Roosevelt, West Babylon and Westbury with over 425 surcharge-free ATMs in King Kullen, 7-Eleven, CVS Pharmacy and Costco locations throughout Long Island. For more information, call 1-800-628-7070 or visit www.bethpagefcu.com.