President’s Year-End Message

Fellow Chamber Members,

The Syosset/Woodbury Chamber of Commerce just completed its 25^th year of supporting and promoting small businesses along with the betterment of the community.  Since 1998, Syosset/Woodbury business leaders have volunteered their time to help fellow members to survive and thrive in good times and bad.  I am honored to be continuing as President of this great organization, but that is thanks to the Board of Directors that leads the Chamber along with all of our members who continue to support our efforts on their behalf.  The Chamber is stronger than ever, with 225 business members.  Most of the credit for this accomplishment is due to the efforts of our long time director and membership chair, Alan Goldberg. Thank you, Alan for volunteering your time.

In 2023, the Chamber held the largest Syosset Street Fair ever, encompassing Jackson Avenue and Underhill Blvd for the first time.  Over 200 sponsors and vendors, led by our two anchor sponsors, Compass Real Estate and Genesis of the North Shore, and platinum sponsors the Mid Island Y JCC and SRG Residential interacted with upwards of ten thousand local residents on a crisp November Sunday.  The effort was overseen by our Vice President and 2023 Chamber Business Person of the Year, Tami Racaniello.  This year’s Fair was particularly challenging because of the weather postponement, but Tami and everyone on the committee did an amazing job of ensuring the community would get the opportunity to interact with all the local business who participated in the Street Fair.

Former Chamber Secretary Amanda Johnson chaired the Holiday Lighting Spectacular.  Despite another spate of weather issues, Amanda did an amazing job of ensuring all of our talented local youth would be able to perform in downtown Syosset in front of friends and family.  The Biondo Family and Plaza Realty LLC generously donated 50 Jackson Avenue to hold the event.  Founding board member, Bill Chabina helped secure wreaths and garlands to ensure that downtown Syosset would once again be lit up for the holidays.

The Chamber is also about supporting the community, and in 2023 we did just that.  The Chamber helped to raise $10,000 for local charities, including over $7,000 towards the food pantry at St. Edward’s the Confessor Church and the Rudman Food Pantry at the Mid Island Y JCC.  These two organizations help those in need in our community with dignity and respect.  The Chamber also made donations to the Navaretta Scholarship Fund, Gus Scutari VFW Post #6394 in Syosset and the American Heart Association.  Two deserving Syosset High School Seniors, Zehra Raza and Julia Asaad were this year’s recipients of scholarships for their continued interest in business studies.  The Chamber, thanks to the generosity of PSEG of LI, was able to provide over $7,000 in outdoor supplies to 11 of our small business members.

This past year saw the Chamber roll out a robust new website to support membership.  Credit goes to our administrator, Felice Linder, for ensuring a smooth transition.  The Chamber welcomed many new businesses to the community, supporting the grand openings of Bond Vet, K9 Resorts, Spice Hub, Total Fire Protection, Roast Sandwich House and Lash Box.  Past President and long time Board member Danielle Delgrosso has been instrumental in organizing the Chamber’s participation for these celebrations.

The Chamber has a great group of returning board members in addition to those mentioned above.  Treasurer Kenya Zachary, along with Gregg Jaffee, Ben Indiviglia, Ari Goldblatt and Mike Gallo are graciously continuing to volunteer their time on behalf of our membership.  Joining them as new board members in 2024 will be Melesia Dechiaro, Jared Sarney, Dr. Parul Makkar, Steve Sprachman and Laura Venugopalan.

In the coming year, the Chamber will strive to have a robust calendar of in-person networking events, general meetings, grand openings/ribbon cuttings and other activities to offer all of our members the opportunity to interact with each other and get exposure for their businesses. The Syosset Street Fair is scheduled for September 29^th, mark your calendars.  The Chamber is quite active on Instagram, Facebook, Linked In and X.  We will be continuing to expand our presence on social media to help to further promote our member businesses.  Please share any content you want posted on our social media pages to info@syossetchamber.com

I want to thank all of you for continuing to support my effort to lead the Syosset/Woodbury Chamber of Commerce.  This is not a one person effort, but a team that brings their individual skill sets and experiences to help promote our fellow local businesses.  On a personal note, I am only able to do this with the support and understanding of my beautiful wife, Lori, who patiently allows me the time to dedicate toward the Chamber, and my two wonderful daughters Crystal and Kacey.

I wish all of you a Happy New Year, and a prosperous and successful 2024.

Russell P. Green

President, Syosset/Woodbury Chamber of Commerce