Brooklyn's Progress
December 2006/January 2007

BY HAROLD EGELN

Is Santa Claus a Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce Member? We’re looking into it, but we do know he’s enlisted Chamber Member CitiStorage as a major helper. For the tenth year Norman and Elaine Brodsky, president and vice president of the company, got into the holiday spirit of giving by showering some special children with gifts.

More than one hundred gifts were delivered to the League Treatment Center's Joan Fenichel Therapeutic Nursery, at 30 Washington St., DUMBO during the week of Dec. 11-15 by the "elves" of CitiStorage, a files/records storage management and retrieval business in Williamsburg.

The League Center is a pioneering, internationally recognized not-for-profit organization that serves and supports children and young people who are autistic or severely emotionally, neurologically and developmentally disabled. The organization serves about 500 children and young adults at its two facilities. 

"The League Treatment Center is a gem. They work miracles here. We are happy about our partnership with them," said Elaine Brodsky.

The Brodskys, Center administrators including Dr. Peter Piegari, Clinical Director/Director of Research, and staff went to classrooms, making their holiday rounds as some children rode new bikes and others played with toys, like LeapPads with subjects ranging from the ocean to space.

The toy giving tradition began when the Brodskys decided to give to an organization for children rather than having the usual holiday office party. With the Brooklyn Chamber's help, they chose The League Treatment Center, recognized worldwide for its innovation. The Center has a day treatment and learning facility in Crown Heights for children from nursery through 12th grade. The Therapeutic Nursery Center in DUMBO, which opened a decade ago, serves children in pre-K and kindergarten.

"We're grateful for the kindness of Norm and Elaine Brodsky and CitiStorage's employees for their holiday gift-giving for the children,” said Stacey Chizzik, Director, The League Treatment Center. “It makes a big and lasting difference in their lives, and it’s appreciated by them, their families and our staff."

"Ten years! I feel younger every year we do this. Seeing the children smile and laugh with their presents is what it's all about," said Mr. Brodsky. The Brodskys often get letters from the children’s' parents and guardians.

"The letters mean a lot to all of us. This is very heart-warming," said Dr. Piegari.

For more information about CitiStorage, visit http://www.citistorage.com/ or contact 718-782-1100. To learn more about The League Treatment Center, call 718-643-5300 or visit http://www.leaguetreatment.org/.

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CITISTORAGE RECEIVED THE 2006 ERNST AND YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD. THEY HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR 17 YEARS.