A Plainview couple who have a multiplex in Coram have been busy lining up an event for Penelope’s Odyssey, a Sea Cliff-based nonprofit whose mission includes making a difference in the lives of children and families impacted by pediatric cancer.
Founder Lori Schneider said Jordan and Dara Desner are providing the Coram theater free of charge to families affected by pediatric cancer for a gratis screening of Disney’s re-release of “Finding Nemo” on Sept. 29, during Pediatric Cancer Awareness month.
As Schneider explained, these children spend much of their time in isolation so their immune systems aren’t compromised. The free screening, on a Saturday, “increases the opportunities for children with cancer to socialize,” she said.
“They’ve been really generous,” Schneider said of the Desners, who reached out to Disney, which donated the screening.
The Desners didn’t think twice about helping Penelope’s Odyssey, said Dara Desner, a speech pathologist by training.
“Helping children with special needs is close to my heart,” she said. “We absolutely go out of our way to give these children happiness.”
Giving back to their community is providing a sense of fulfillment in an otherwise jittery time as the fate of a new multiplex opening at Soundview Marketplace remains in the hands of the court.
The Plainview couple is aiming to open the theater in the 183,400-square-foot shopping center, which .
Back in June, Jordan Desner told Patch that in February for the property, but because of the foreclosure the lease is contingent on Nassau County Supreme Court approval.
“We expected the decision first week in June, and still haven’t heard,” Desner said Friday.
Now he hopes to hear by Aug. 31, so he can begin needed renovations and complete them by Nov. 16, in time for the holiday movie season. But because of the delay – Desner had initally hoped to open the theater by Memorial Day – he said he’s not optimistic.
“I’m very upset about missing the summer, and now Thanksgiving is in danger.”
Desner said there is “no point in opening the theater between January and end of April,” which in the movie business, “are very quiet.”
“But I will do if need be,” he added.
“I don’t know what will be,” Jordan Desner said. “If I miss Thanksgiving and Christmas, it would be devastating.”
"I feel horrible for the town," he added. "We want them to have a top-quality movie theater, everything-state-of-the-art. We’re ready to go. It’s so frustrating."
