Senate Resolution No. 1692
BY: Senator MARTINS
HONORING the Alper Family upon the occasion of
their designation as the 2026 Citizen of the Year by
the Community Chest of Port Washington
WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve
the best interests of their communities are assets beyond remuneration
and cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the Alper
Family upon the occasion of their designation as the 2026 Citizen of the
Year by the Community Chest of Port Washington, to be celebrated at a
ceremony on Monday, March 23, 2026, at the Port Washington Public
Library in Port Washington, New York; and
WHEREAS, Annually, since 1969, the Community Chest of Port
Washington has chosen an extraordinary resident, residents, or
organization as its Citizen of the Year; this award honors a lifetime of
outstanding volunteer service to the Port Washington, New York,
community; and
WHEREAS, For more than 115 years, the Alper Family has exemplified
integrity, hard work, and community commitment in Port Washington, and
all four generations of the Alper Family have contributed to the
long-lasting legacy of their family; and
WHEREAS, Sam and Mary Alper were the first generation of Alpers to
make Port Washington their home, having immigrated from Prussia before
1911; shortly after immigrating, they opened Alper's Jeweler and Watch
Repair, which would later evolve to specialize in auto parts in the
1930s, then hardware during World War II, and is now known as Alper's
Hardware and Paint; and
WHEREAS, Sam and Mary Alper's sons, Dave and Morris Alper, were
raised in their parents store and quickly became active community
leaders; Morris died at a young age, and Dave made the ultimate
commitment to serve his country during World War II; and
WHEREAS, While serving in the Pacific, Dave Alper wrote a letter
promising to "build up" Port Washington upon his return, and together,
he and his wife, Fay Seligson, committed to continuing the legacy their
parents began; together, they co-founded the Temple Beth Israel, the
local chapter of Hadassah, and took leadership roles in the town's
professional organizations in addition to helping at the family
business; and
WHEREAS, David and Fay Alper raised three beloved children and the
third generation of Alpers, Marvin, Doris, and Sheryl; Doris Alper and
her husband, Mark Novick, have taken ownership of Alper's Hardware and
continue fulfilling their grandparent's commitment to serve the Port
Washington community; and
WHEREAS, In addition to operating Alper's Hardware, Doris Alper
volunteers at the Landmark on Main Street, the Port Washington
Children's Center, the Organization Rehabilitation and Training,
Hadassah, and Habitat for Humanity; Mark Novick's extensive history of
civic involvement includes service with the Port Washington Lions Club,
the Port Counseling Center, and the Community Chest of Port Washington;
and
WHEREAS, Adam Novick, son of Doris and Mark Novick, and Brian Fogel,
husband of Doris and Mark's daughter, Rachel, are the fourth generation
of Alpers working at Alper's Hardware; both individuals remain committed
to furthering the Alper's historic legacy, and they have participated in
The Little Free Library Program, Plant a Row for the Hungry, and
Emergency Food Support; and
WHEREAS, In addition to all the great work done by the individual
Alpers throughout the past 115 years, the family has provided
significant support to the Schreiber High School's Gambol, the Helen
Keller Center, the Community Action Council, and countless school
sports, clubs, organizations, and fundraisers; and
WHEREAS, Alper's Hardware has fostered economic vitality through its
membership in the Port Washington Chamber of Commerce and the Port
Washington Business Improvement District; in recognition of its
long-standing success, the corner of Irma Avenue and Main Street in Port
Washington was named "Alper's Corner" by the Town of North Hempstead;
and
WHEREAS, From Sam and Mary Alper's arrival over a century ago to
Adam and Brian's leadership today, the Alper family has become known as
an enduring neighborhood institution, known for their expertise,
problem-solving, warmth, and long-term relationships; they have been a
staple in the Port Washington community for decades, and they will
continue to remain strong for years to come; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by
individuals for the benefit of others which the Alper Family have
displayed throughout the past century; and
WHEREAS, It has always been the objective of this Legislative Body
to honor and support those individuals who have displayed their
commitment to the betterment of their communities, and it is the intent
of this Legislative Body to inscribe upon its records this tribute to
the Alper Family; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the Alper Family upon the occasion of their designation as the
2026 Citizen of the Year by the Community Chest of Port Washington; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Alper Family.
