joekeenan sDuring 2018, the Graybeards continued to strive to help those in need. Our activities included a couple of Spruce Ups, Turkey Drive, and several Food Drives for local churches.

Dan Leary and Joe Courtney organized an alcohol and drug awareness meeting which was well received by the parents of the children who attended. The Graybeards sponsored the Harlem Magic Masters. The Family Fun Run organized by Keith Goldberg and Jo Jo O’Grady had a record number of entrants and was a wonderful family event. The funds raised greatly helped a family in need. Jimmy Mullen’s fundraising continued to send Soldiers to Disney. Mike Lee and his crew did a great job with the Block Party for Special Olympics. The Blood Drive went well. Dan Sugrue skillfully coordinated the workers for the food drive which we worked on with the RIBS. A number of Graybeard volunteers and their children assisted with setting up St. Francis’ Christmas Trees. Mike Lee did a great job organizing this effort.

Our boat ride, Blood Drive @ SFDS, and the Christmas party were fun events.

The Graybeards provided scholarships to two high school students in memory of Chris Lawler and Richie Allen.

The Graybeards are also recognizing the John Edwards and The Rockaway Volleyball League for their many years of support of numerous community organizations.

Thank you very much to the Dinner Committee of Tommy Morgan, John Lavin, Jean Condon, Mary Ellen Olsen, Robbie Ostrander, John McCann, Jimmy Mullen, Dan Sugrue, Morgan Kelly, Mike Lee, Steve Cannon, Lenny Mannino and Mike Schramm for another great job.

Thank you to the Board Members, Steve Stathis, Brian King, Mike Lee, Gary Carroll, Tommy Morgan, Dan Leary, Rocky Dorgoff, Jeff Mercer, Jimmy Mullen, Jim Moriarty, and Jo Jo O’Grady for your efforts throughout the year.

Our treasurer John Cosgrove continued to provide excellent financial advice and counsel to the organization as he has since the organization’s inception. John is an invaluable resource and has been committed to the Graybeards for many years.

Our Secretary, Larry McGuire continued to keep our annual meetings under control. Thank you.

Thank you very much to John McCann for all of his work improving our web site.

For another year, Jean Condon, our Office Manager, ran the organization in a seamless fashion.

The Graybeards will continue to strive to help those in need in the community and to have fun doing so.

Through your great generosity we were able to make numerous contributions to many families in the need.

If you know of anyone in the community in need please contact the Graybeard office at 718-634-6812.

Joe Keenan
President

In the Media

02/29/2024 Rockaway Times - This Year's Honorees
02/08/2024 Rockaway Times - A Good Night with the Graybeards
02/08/2024 Rockaway Times - Stockings Raises $55K for Wounded Veteran
01/25/2024 Rockaway Times - 'Rockaway Creates' A Gala
01/11/2024 Rockaway Times - Three Kings Celebration at St. Mary Star of the Sea/St. Gertrude Parish
11/23/2023 Rockaway Times - Thank You, Graybeards!
11/23/2023 Rockaway Times - Little North Pole Lights Up Saturday
11/23/2023 Rockaway Times - Waterside & JUMP Team Up to Give
09/07/2023 Rockaway Times - 10th Annual 3 on 3 in the Books
08/31/2023 Rockaway Times - Backpack Fundraiser A Success
08/24/2023 Rockaway Times - 3 on 3 By the Sea on Friday
08/10/2023 Rockaway Times - A Flag Retirement Place
08/03/2023 Rockaway Times - Graybeards Bring Fun for the Family
08/03/2023 Rockaway Times - Graybeards Champions Crowned
07/28/2023 The Wave - 20th Annual Graybeards Family Run
07/21/2023 Rockaway Times - Summer Classic Teams
07/18/2023 Rockaway Times - Family Fun Run Set for July 28
07/06/2023 Rockaway Times - Best Dressed Dishes Out Checks
07/06/2023 Rockaway Times - The Warriors Return This Weekend
06/30/2023 Rockaway Times - FDNY to Take on Ireland at Thrilla in Camilla
06/15/2023 Rockaway Times - Grand Ol' Flag
06/15/2023 Rockaway Times - Rockaway Rugby Extravaganza Saturday
02/09/2023 Rockaway Times - Big Night for the Graybeards
02/09/2023 Rockaway Times - A Dream Trip for the Tans
01/05/2023 Rockaway Times - Thank You!
12/29/2022 Rockaway Times - 2022 Person of the Year: Keith 'Bugsy' Goldberg
12/01/2022 Rockaway Times - A Season of Giving for The Best Dressed Man
12/01/2022 Rockaway Times - A Special Stockings for a Cause Mission
11/24/2022 Rockaway Times - An Early Start for the Little North Pole
10/27/2022 Rockaway Times - Look for the Helpers
10/27/2022 Rockaway Times - Sandy Snapshots
10/06/2022 Rockaway Times - Paying it Forward to the Hannas
11/22/2016 RIBS - Graybeards Food Drive A Success
07/22/2013 Graybeards Ltd. Visits the NYSE to ring the opening bell.
05/02/2013 Graybeards raise over $1.1 million for Sandy victims
01/31/2013 Morning Joe MSNNBC - Volunteer Group Graybeards working to Repair Rockaway
12/12/2012 Daily News - The Fall and Rise of Rockaway
12/04/2012 San Francisco Chronicle - Tranist Museum store raises Rockaway Relief Funds
11/20/2012 Nightly News with Brian Williams: Post Sandy, Graybeards plot of Rockaway comeback
11/02/2012 The Tower - The News Site of The Catholic University of America
10/01/2012 Irish America - Healing Hearts on Rockaway Beach
06/07/2012 NY Daily News - Support for Rockaway family who lost son
09/11/2011 The New York Times - Hit Hard by 9/11, a Piece of Queens Struggles to Let Go
09/11/2011 The New York Times - Wounded Warriors Weekend
09/15/2011 NY DailyNews - Soldier who lost both legs and left arm in Afghanistan inspires neighbors to hold benefit
09/08/2011 NY Times - Hit Hard by 9/11, a Piece of Queens Struggles to Let Go
07/02/2011 The Wall Street Journal - Retiree Finds New Hobby in Helping His Neighbors
12/16/2010 NY Daily News - Wounded Marine gets New York Christmas wish courtesy of 'Graybeards'
07/16/2009 Queens Chronicle - Wounded Vets Find Healing in Queens
06/27/2009 NY Daily News - Iraq and Afghanistan veterans to get wet at Adaptive Water Sports Festival
06/30/2008 Reuters.com - 4th Annual Adaptive Water Sports Festival Offers Wounded Soldiers Opportunities to...
12/19/2007 NY DailyNews - Retired FDNY helps wounded G.I.
07/31/2007 NY DailyNews - Wounded Vets Make a Splash
07/06/2007 The Wave - Wounded Warriors Return
07/14/2006 MSNBC - Giving Vets the Homecoming They Never Had
07/06/2006 NY DailyNews - Hearts & Homes Open for Iraq Vets
07/06/2006 The Daily Nightly - MSNBC - From Rockaway
08/05/2005 NY Daily News - Gung-Ho Graybeards Rebuild Homes, Lives
07/08/2001 NY DailyNews - Good Sportsmanship Water Festival to Give Disabled Vets a Timely Lift