Bellport Street Named for Community Leader Rae J. Maynes

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The community turned out Thursday to dedicate a Bellport street to a woman who, despite growing up in an orphanage, made an early promise to herself that she would never miss an opportunity to help the less fortunate. In her honor, Bourdois Avenue will be named after Rae J. Maynes.

Rae was a tireless fighter for her community since the 1950s, co-founding the Bellport Area Community Action Committee, among her many accomplishments. She helped organize a neighborhood opportunity center, a food-buying cooperative, a senior nutrition center, and a Head Start after-school program. She formed the Board of Directors for the BACAC in 1968 and served as committee president for the next 18 years. Rae also served as assistant director of the Brookhaven Local Action Center and volunteered for 13 years with the Suffolk County Girl Scout Council. She also helped to establish the Suffolk County Double Dutch Clinic in 1982.

"Rae's longtime dream was to open a community center in Bellport, where adults and kids could gather and learn and spend time together away from the influences of drugs and alcohol," noted Brookhaven Councilman Mike Loguercio, who presented the Maynes family with a special town proclamation. "Rae is credited with laying the foundation and building the Boys & Girls Club of Bellport, which still serves the community today."

Born in 1934, Rae was the daughter of the late Martin Watson and Mary Philips. Growing up in Yonkers, it wasn't long before Rae dedicated her entire life to helping those in need. Her sacrifice of both time and energy for the sake of the Bellport community won her several awards and, most importantly, the love of those she spent her life helping.

Rae was married to the late Donald Maynes Sr., and she was the proud mother to four children: Donald J., the late Daryl Sr., Donette Maynes, and Robert Sr.