Gyrodyne Company of America Offers a Challenge to Save Hurricane Sandy Damaged Marine Conservation Center

LongIsland.com

WMHO’s campaign, via Indiegogo.com is called "Rebuild a Classroom in the Heart of the LI Wetlands." The organization must raise $80,000 for the repairs needed to restore their Ernst Marine Conservation Center so it's ready ...

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Stony Brook, NY - When Peter Pitsiokos, Chief Operating Officer of Gyrodyne, opened his email one morning and read about the Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s crowdfunding campaign seeking donations to repair their “waterside classroom” damaged by Hurricane Sandy, he knew he had to get involved.

WMHO’s campaign, via Indiegogo.com is called "Rebuild a Classroom in the Heart of the LI Wetlands." The organization must raise $80,000 for the repairs needed to restore their Ernst Marine Conservation Center so it's ready for the spring, when classes begin again. The funding campaign is $10,000 for carpeting, vinyl flooring and trim work. Dr. Erwin J. Ernst was a longtime Three Village educator whose education programs have been held at the Center for over 50 years. To date a little over $2,000 has been raised but there are only 42 days left in the campaign.

Peter Pitsiokos is a former student of Dr. Ernst.  When he brought the plea to management they realized the urgency and importance of the campaign and have decided to match dollar-for-dollar, up to $5,000, any contributions made.  The deadline for the matching campaign will be March 31, 2013. “Gyrodyne is humbled and happy to play a role in this effort,” said Pitsiokos. Gyrodyne has also issued a challenge for others to get involved. In passing along the information they have reached many other former students of Dr. Ernst such as Johns Hopkins University Biology Professor Trina Schroer who also realizes the importance of these programs. Laura Ernst, WMHO Trustee and widow of Dr. Ernst said, "The programs have had a major impact on students and many that have taken the class went on to careers in marine sciences because of the experiences they had at the MCC.”

Gyrodyne Company of America
A publicly traded Company; NASDAQ symbol [GYRO] operating a REIT [Real Estate Investment Trust] located at the Flowerfield complex, North Country Road and Mills Pond Road St. James, New York

The Ernst Marine Conservation Center is located at West Meadow Creek in East Setauket and is situated on an 88 acre wetlands preserve open to students of all ages. Students actively participate in marine conservation and learn about the natural habitat around them. The center also houses a number of on-site marine science research laboratories. Founded in 1939, WMHO is a not-for-profit corporation that develops and fosters community enrichment through cultural and educational experiences.  WMHO accomplishes this by enhancing and interpreting its historic and environmentally sensitive properties and by utilizing state-of-the-art technology.

Potential donors are encouraged to visit www.indiegogo.com/projects/316685 to get full information on the project or call 631-751-2244.

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For More Information, please contact:
Peter Pitsiokos, Gyrodyne:  631-374-8132
Professor Trina Schroer:  410-516-5373
Ruth Ravitz Smith: 2golfers@comcast.net

 

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