Cross Sound Ferry presented a check for $4,200 to the Southold Town Youth Bureau this afternoon to support its new youth court, a program spearheaded by youth bureau director Lynn Nyilas.
At a small ceremony at the Orient ferry terminal, Andy Binkowski, Cross Sound Ferry terminal manager and Rich MacMurray, Cross Sound Ferry vice president, presented the donation, which are proceeds from the company’s annual Fourth of July fireworks cruise.
Southold Town government liaison officer Denis Noncarrow, Cross Sound Ferry’s Long Island liaison David Kapell and director of marketing and public affairs Stan Mickus also attended.
“We heard that Southold was getting together this youth court program and it just seemed like the right thing to do and a good place to start,” said Binkowski.
Youth court is a program that trains high schoolers to take on the roles of judge, attorney and other courtroom positions to handle real-life cases involving their peers. See previous story.
“It’s good for the kids,” said Binkowski. “They’re going to get a better understanding of police, law enforcement and the whole court system. Hopefully this will enlighten some people and bring them closer together.”
“It’s going to be a great thing for the community,” said Nyilas. “Almost 60 kids from the North Fork have already expressed interest. This money will be used for curriculum, training and for uniforms for the kids.”
Noncarrow added, “It’s so great that we have Lynn with us to put this together. There’s so many kids interested in it, so to get them together and organize this is just fantastic.”
