A Great Neck philanthropist has promised to match any donations made to the Gold Coast Arts Center if it can raise $30,000 by June 1.
Harvey Kaylie, a resident of Great Neck for nine years, said he issued the challenge to the art center after meeting with its Executive Director Regina Gil.
“Regina told me they needed help so I said I’m going to jump in and help you,” Kaylie said in an interview. “I fell that its a part of the responsibility of being a citizen of Great Neck that I come through.”
Gil said the art center is in need of donations because a grant to support the center’s education and outreach program is starting to run out.
“The program’s in danger,” she said.
Kaylie, founder and president of electronics company Mini-Circuits Inc., and his wife Gloria are the founders of the Harvey and Gloria Kaylie Foundation, which seeks to help underprivileged children receive a better education.
“The main goal is to help kids to help themselves,” Kaylie said. “It’s all based on trying to give someone a chance.”
Kaylie praised the efforts of the art center, which offers several educational courses for schoolchildren.
“What they’re doing is they’re helping kids to go beyond what they might normally do,” he said. “The benefit is immeasurable.”
Gil thanked the Kaylie’s for their support of the art center’s educational programs.
“They have a tremendous interest in the vitality of the community and in education,” Gil said. “He believes that the more people who invest in the art center the more there will be awareness and interest in the community.”
Gil said the center is about a third of the way from reaching $30,000.
“It’s gratifying to see the response from the people,”she said. “I really have confidence that we’ll meet our goal.”
Donations can be made at greatneckarts.org, by visiting the center at 113 Middle Neck Road in Great Neck or by calling 516-829-2570.
Reach reporter Anthony O’Reilly by e-mail at aoreilly@theislandnow.com, by phone at 516.307.1045 x203 or on Twitter @reilly_anthony. Also follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/theislandnow.
