Mangano And Former U.S. Olympic Coach Present $4,000 Donation To The Safe Center LI

(From nassaucountyny.gov Press release 11/18/2014)

Mangano And Former U.S. Olympic Coach/Korean-American Businessman Present $4,000 Donation To The Safe Center LI 

Pictured (left to right) are: Instructor Jason Aptekar; Former United States Olympic Coach/Korean-American Businessman Y.H. Park; Sandy Oliva, Co-Executive Director of the Safe Center LI; Cynthia Scott, Co-Executive Director of The Safe Center LI; County Executive Edward P. Mangano; Edward Park, Co-Director of NY Open; and Instructor David Zabransky.

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano and former United States Olympic Coach/Korean-American Businessman Y.H. Park today donated $4,000 in proceeds from the Annual New York Open Taekwondo Championship/Korean Cultural Festival - held earlier this year - to The Safe Center LI. The Safe Center LI assists in saving and changing the lives of the victims of domestic or dating abuse, child abuse, and rape and sexual assault. The funds will be used to help replace furniture at the safe home for abused families.

“Y.H. Park understands that charity begins at home and I applaud him for his generosity and hope others follow this incredible example of giving,” said County Executive Mangano. “I have always believed that local organizations and businesses are the heart of our community, and this donation is a great illustration of giving back to the community."

“We are very honored to partner with Nassau County and County Executive Edward Mangano, in such a wonderful cultural festival that was able to bring people of all races and creed together,” said Y.H. Park. “It has always been a goal of our organization to give back to the community and we couldn’t be happier to donate to the Safe Center LI, which does amazing work to help those in need. Thank you to everyone who was a part of our event and we look forward to many more charitable events with County Executive Mangano."

Sandy Oliva and Cynthia Scott, Co-Executive Directors of The Safe Center LI, were on hand to accept the check on behalf of The Safe Center LI. The safe home which was last renovated in 1995 has been utilized by many individuals since then. The furniture and window coverings are worn out and need to be replaced and these funds will make that possible which will help create a comforting and uplifting environment for those individuals escaping violence at home.

“We are grateful to Mr. Park for his generosity and strong community spirit and thank him and County Executive Mangano on behalf of the women and children who will benefit from their support, said Sandy Oliva, Co-Executive Director of The Safe Center LI.

The 2014 New York Open TaeKwonDo Championships/Korean Cultural Festival consisted of competitions in forms, pairs forms, sparring, board breaking, weapons and Team Demo Competition.Over 350 competitors entered the championship tournament that included over 2,000 people in attendance. Highlighting this year’s event were amazing Korean Cultural performances and a showcase of National Level competitors during the Opening Ceremony. Nia Sanchez, Miss Nevada USA, made a special appearance. She is a fourth degreeblack beltinTaeKwonDo, which she began practicing when she was eight years old. This exciting sports and cultural event featured seminars prior to and during the festival, which included Korean style food, Korean cultural performances, the Korean Percussion team, a traditional Korean sushi making demonstration, plus much more. The event was recognized by the World TaeKwonDo Federation and sanctioned by the United States TaeKwonDo Leaders Union. In addition to being supported by Nassau County, the event was sponsored by Flushing Bank, The Korean Cultural Service of NY, AT Center of New York, Dynamics World, Korea Tourism Organization and Korean Cuisine Globalization Committee of East Coast, USA.

YH Park TKD Academy Teams With Nassau County For Sandy Victims

YH Park TKD Academy Teams With Nassau County For Sandy Victims

November 20, 2013-  In the boardroom of the historic Nassau County Executive's Office in Garden City, NY Grandmaster Y.H. Park and Master Edward Park delivered to, newly re-elected, Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano a check for $4,000.00 as a donation towards assisting the victims of Hurricane Sandy.  

This donation represented the proceeds of the admissions fees from the 2013 NY Open Taekwondo Championships and Korean Cultural Festival held last month in Nassau County, at the historic Cantiague Park Ice Arena.  The Parks and the YH Park Taekwondo Academy are no strangers to philanthropy, as they have a long history of community activism and charitable works.   Donating the proceeds of the annual NY Open Championships and Korean Cultural Festival has become an honored tradition, which has demonstrated the strength of partnering private and public agencies to help the local community.  Past recipients have included F.R.E.E. and North Shore Family Guidance Center.

Father Kevin Smith, who runs the Nassau County Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund, was on hand to accept the donation and expressed his gratitude in the Academy's generosity, which comes a year after the devastating storm and will help so many of the families still in dire need of aid.

At the event Grandmaster Park presented County Executive Mangano with an honorary GOLD Medal for his support of athletic programs in Nassau County and Nassau County Executive Mangano handed out Citations to honor key volunteers.

To find out more about the exciting activities involving the YH Park Taekwondo Academy in Levittown, NY visit www.yhpark.com 

County Executive Mangano And YH Park Taekwondo Academy Join Forces To Help Sandy Victims

County Executive Mangano And YH Park Taekwondo Academy Join Forces To Help Sandy Victims

October 7, 2013- The scene was the County Center in Mineola, NY.  It was 11:00AM.  A small crowd of press, public and interested parties gathered to hear Nassau County Executive, Ed Mangano, formally declare Saturday October 19, 2013, the date of the 2013 NY Open Taekwondo Championships and Korean Cultural Festival, "Taekwondo Do Day" in Nassau County.  The County Executive lauded the event and its sponsor for the continued contributions and philanthropic work done in Nassau County.  This exciting Press Conference was an important precursor to the actual event which shall take place in less than two weeks at the historic Cantiague Park Ice Arena in Hicksville, NY.

This declaration is more than a mere honor bestowed upon the YH Park Taekwondo Academy for sponsoring one of the premiere martial arts and cultural events in the country; it is an acknowledgement of the power of the partnership between local government and private enterprise.  The NY Open Taekwondo Championships and Korean Cultural Festival has become a major event, which brings international attention, visitors, revenue, and excitement to Nassau County.

Perhaps the most significant contribution of the NY Open Taekwondo Championships has been the charitable giving that the event sponsor, The YH Park Taekwondo Academy, has undertaken.  In the past, major charitable organizations have benefited from donations from the proceeds of the event's admission revenue.  This year is no exception.  It was announced at the Press Event held today that the proceeds of this year's event will be donated to the Nassau County Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund.  This organization provides vitally needed funds to victims of last year's Hurricane, which devastated parts of our region.  The donation from the event's proceeds will make a measurable contribution in improving the lives of residents of Nassau County, which is all part of the philanthropic mission of the YH Park Taekwondo Academy.

The 2013 NY Open Taekwondo Championships and Korean Cultural Festival will take place on Saturday October 19, 2013 at 9AM at the Cantiague Park Ice Arena in Hicksville, NY.

For more information on the event visit: http://www.yhpark.com or call (516) 735-3434.

The Heart of YH Park Taekwondo is Giving!

The Heart of YH Park Taekwondo is Giving!

September 9, 2013-  At the YH Park Taekwondo Academy it is always stressed that a Taekwondo student is not defined by their punching and kicking skills but by their character.  The goal of Taekwondo practice has been emphasized to be not only the development of the physical self but the development of a practitioner's character.  This has been the 40 year legacy of Grandmaster Yeon Hwan Park, and legacy of the YH Park Taekwondo Academy.

It is in this spirit of charity of giving that the YH Park Taekwondo Academy conducted it's recent Break-A-Thon for the benefit of the St. Jude's Pediatric Research Hospital.  Money was raised, while  having a fun filled time, for a worthy cause.  This event, while noteworthy, is just one of the many philanthropic undertakings the Academy has sponsored, or participated in, over the last several years.

Two years ago, the Academy proudly donated the proceeds from the entrance fees of the annual NY Open Taekwondo Championships and Korean Cultural Festival to F.R.E.E.  This donation, during a veritable dry spell in charitable giving nationwide due to the difficult economic conditions, made a huge difference in the lives of special needs kids.  Nassau County Executive, Ed Mangano, praised the generosity of the YH Park Taekwondo Academy at the check presentation ceremony in Mineola, NY.

A similar act of generosity benefited North Shore Child and Family Guidance Center, an esteemed organization much in need of funds to perpetuate their mission of helping people in our area with mental health treatment and family crisis issues.  Andrew Malekoff, Executive Director and CEO, was on hand to accept the check on behalf of North Shore and said  "The funds will support a community-based agency that has been a vital part of the fabric of life on Long Island."

Students, Instructors, and parents at the YH Park Taekwondo Academy embrace the concept that "Life is not defined by what you get, but what you give".  This is the heart of a true martial artist and this the heart of The YH Park Taekwondo Academy.  Find out how you can become a part of the fun and the giving at www.yhpark.com