Mid Island Cares

Volunteering time or donating money to worthy causes, philanthropy — is a way for a company to give back to the community.  There are many worthy causes on Long Island and Mid Island Air and The Mancuso Family are proud to be associated with the following organizations:

CRADLE OF AVIATION MUSEUM:

The Cradle of Aviation Museum, a 501(c)3 organization,  is an educational center preserving Long Island’s contribution to aerospace, science and technology by inspiring future generations through learning. The Cradle of Aviation Museum’s vision is to become the leading center of aerospace and technology education through the preservation of museum artifacts, expanding educational opportunities towards the development of an innovative workforce for the region.

In 2018, the Cradle will honor the legacy of the Mancuso family and recognize their role in aviation history on Long Island by renaming a gallery:  The Mancuso Family Jet Age Gallery.    A new exhibit will be created to tell the story of the three generations of the Mancuso Family – from their beginning in 1946 at the Deer Park Airport to their continued operation of Mid Island Air Service, including a nod to the family Air Show performer.  In addition, Louis (Sr) & Connie Mancuso will be inducted into the Cradle of Aviation “Hall of Fame”.

LI2DAY WALK TO FIGHT CANCER:

LI2DAY, a 501(c)3 non-profit,  was originally founded in 2004 responding to the critical need for funding of community-based organizations that provide assistance to Long Islanders with breast cancer. Funds raised go to local grassroots cancer organizations, breast cancer research and the LI2Day Scholarship Fund.  LI2DAY has raised over $6 MILLION DOLLARS to assist Long Islanders with medical expenses, transportation, prosthetics and wigs, physical therapy, child care, research and education. In 2014, LI2DAY expanded its mission to include funding for all cancers.  Since 2005, Gail & Gloria Mancuso have walked/crewed and raised over $40,000 for LI2Day.

MORICHES BAY PROJECT:

Primarily through oyster farming, we improve the quality of the water in our local bays, turning it back to its natural state of health. We are dedicated to bringing awareness to the local community and to educate our children. We have put more than 400,000 oysters in the bay, filtering 21.5 million gallons of water each day and removing 478 pounds of nitrogen from the bay.  In 2017 we installed the first solar FL.UP.SY. (Floating Upweller System) to date, in Moriches Bay sponsored by the Mancuso Family.

PECONIC BAY MEDICAL CENTER:

PBMC Health Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to enhance the quality of healthcare in central and eastern Suffolk County. As a community, 182-bed hospital – the largest in eastern Suffolk County, they serve as the region’s primary medical source for healthcare, taking care of more than 7,000 inpatients and 168,000 outpatients annually.  The hospital partnered in January, 2016 with North Shore/LIJ Health System, now named Northwell Health. PBMC is a NYS-designated stroke center with state-of-the-art technology. PBMC includes an advanced surgery facility, centers for joint replacement and bariatric surgery and a growing network of family care and specialty physician practices throughout Suffolk County. The hospital operates a certified home health agency, a 60-bed nursing and rehabilitation center, palliative care center and an advanced ambulatory and urgent care campus.

In 2018 the Serenity Chapel, with its newly commissioned Long Island themed stained glass panel, was redesigned with a gift from Louis (Sr) & Connie Mancuso.

SCHOOL-BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS OF LONG ISLAND (SBPLI):

“School-Business Partnerships of Long Island, Inc. (SBPLI) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded In 1984. Our vision is to create an educated workforce for Long Island by opening the minds of middle school and high school students to career opportunities through a collaborative partnership of schools, businesses, community organizations and government.”  Inspiring students to pursue careers in technology, SBPLI students participate annually in the Robotics Competition at Hofstra University, assisted in part with a gift by Louis (Sr) & Connie Mancuso in 2017.

Mid Island partners with the following organizations:

COAST GUARD AUXILIARY UNIT:

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary (USCG Aux) is the uniformed auxiliary component of the United States Coast Guard (USCG). Congress established the USCG Aux on June 23, 1939, as the United States Coast Guard Reserve. On February 19, 1941, it was re-designated the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. The Auxiliary exists to support all USCG missions except roles that require “direct” law enforcement or military engagement.

Mid Island has equipped two of its aircraft with marine antennas and provides discounted flights for CGAux missions.

LOUIS MANCUSO, SR. SCHOLARSHIP FUND:

The Louis Mancuso, Sr. Aviation Scholarship Fund, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, (26-2962427) has been established to honor the memory of the founder of Deer Park Airport.  Lou (1919-2008) was a gentleman whose vision played an important role in the development of Long Island aviation.  He founded Mid Island Air Service, Inc. in 1946 after spending the duration of WWII at Riddle Field in Clewiston, Florida.  Inducted into the Army Air Corp, he then worked with the British RAF training British and Scottish soldiers in both the PT-17 and AT-6.

Two, $1000.00 scholarships are awarded to Long Island High School seniors with a love of aviation and a desire to further their aviation education and career.

PATIENT AIRLIFT SERVICES:

PALS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that arranges free air transportation for individuals requiring medical diagnosis, treatment or follow-up who cannot afford or are unable to fly commercially. PALS also arranges volunteer flights for family members of patients as compassionate missions.  PALS is proud to assist military personnel and their families with free flights to aid in the recovery and rehabilitation processes for our wounded veterans.  Finally, PALS has a history of supporting humanitarian efforts in the event of natural or man-made disasters.

MIAS offers fuel and aircraft rental discounts to pilots donating their time to fly PALS flights.

Rev. 04/01/2020