County raising money for competition

I would like to applaud Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano for embracing the Empire State Games for the Physically Challenged ["Games for the physically challenged to go on," News, March 30].

This program, which has been a New York State program hosted by Nassau County for the past 26 years, had been cut from the state budget. When Mr. Mangano heard about it, he decided to find a way to keep the games alive for the many disabled children who participate each year. Knowing there were no funds in the county coffers, he and his staff brought together a committee of advocates to raise money.

The games will bring children, their families and their support staffs to Mitchel Athletic Complex, Nassau Community College and Hofstra University, from June 2 through 4, to compete in track and field, swimming, wheelchair basketball and table tennis. These children, ages 5 through 21, are blind and visually impaired, deaf and hearing-impaired, have spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy and other disabilities.

Angela Melledy, Old Bethpage