Each year, Child Abuse Prevention Services (CAPS), Long Island’s leading non-profit dedicated to violence prevention and child safety education, recognizes a local individual who has demonstrated their commitment to improving the lives of children. This year, their John Davis Memorial Award will be given to Plandome resident Steve Leondis, founder of Hoops on the Hill, during the CAPS 11th annual Golf Outing benefit, Monday, June 8 at Glen Head Country Club. The event supports the non-profit’s prevention-through-education student programs which are offered at no cost to all schools in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
“Steve truly epitomizes what one person can do to make a real difference in the lives of children,” said Alane Fagin, Executive Director of CAPS, “and turned his passion for basketball into an opportunity for growth for boys and girls, ages 5-17. We applaud Steve for his continuing efforts toward improving the lives of children on Long Island.”
Leondis’s interest in basketball goes back to his college days at Yale where he was voted to the “All-Ivy” league team as well as being voted “Rookie of the Year.” He also finished as Yale’s third all-time leading scorer and second all-time assists leader. He founded Hoops On the Hill in 2006 to provide area youth with basketball instruction at the Manhasset/Great Neck EOC Hagedorn Community Center. It became evident, as the program blossomed, that the children were not only benefiting athletically, but also academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually. The program has expanded to include a children’s choir, help older teens secure after-school employment, academic tutors and opportunities for children to serve others less fortunate in the US and Mexico.
Professionally, Leondis serves as vice president for Horizon Air Freight in Queens. He and his wife Lynn have three children.
The Roslyn-based Child Abuse Prevention Services was founded in 1982 and is Long Island’s leading resource on the prevention of child abuse and neglect, bullying, sexual harassment, date rape, and also teaches school-age children about Internet safety. It is a non-profit organization underwritten by private donations, grants and legislative appropriations. Information about programs, educational materials and volunteer opportunities are available at www.capsli.org or by calling 516-621-0552 or 631-289-3240.
The CAPS 11th annual Golf Outing on June 8 begins at 10 a.m. with golfer registration and brunch; the shotgun start is at 12:15 pm; cocktails and a buffet dinner begin at 5 p.m. To register as a golfer or sponsor, or for event particulars, call CAPS or visit their website.
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