JOHN SCHIMMEL:
LIPP'S VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR FOR NASSAU COUNTY
by Jed Ryan

During my three-hour interview with John Schimmel (AKA: Shade 516), LIPP's Volunteer of the Year for Nassau County, what impressed me the most about him was his modesty. John admits that because of his volunteer work and his visibility in the community, he has become something of a local celebrity. Yet he swears that he was taken by surprise when he learned that he was named Volunteer of the Year for 2001. "I nearly passed out!," he told me. "It took two days to sink in. I didn't see myself in the same league as volunteers like Louis Trapani or Sandy Fasion. There's so much more I still want to do."

As a boy in Freeport High School, John got his first taste of community service when he volunteered at the school's Crisis Center. It was about six months before he graduated high school that he came out to his parents-- who, sadly, didn't handle it well. He was asked to leave the house. John moved to the Poconos area in Pennsylvania with his lover at the time. Unfortunately, the move didn't allow John much freedom. His lover was in the closet and did not want either himself or John to be a part of the gay community. "I felt constricted," says John. "It was subtle mental abuse." Their relationship lasted three days short of seven years, until John felt he couldn't take anymore. "I came back to New York in '96, and that was my turning point. I felt that I had seven years to make up for."

Back on Long Island, John met John DeSola, whom he now affectionately calls his brother (although the two don't share any known genes!). At that time, a bar called Libations was reborn as Auntie M's with John D. as one of its co-owners. It was February 1997, and it seemed like everyone was going online. John S. offered to help his new friend by designing Auntie M's first website. He then moved on to creating Auntie M's "Cyberland," which became one of Auntie M's most popular (and most imitated) theme nights. John also hosted the event, which was the third Friday of every month. When the community's interest in "Cyberland" began to wane, John moved on to designing other theme nights such as Cupid Night, Pajama Night, Amateur Strip Night, and the hugely popular 70's Party.

Soon after "Cyberland," John turned his interest to fundraising for different organizations. He joined Auntie M's Charity Fundraising Committee to help with organizing events to raise money. For a Community House of Long Island benefit, he came up with the idea for an auction, and spent much time cold calling businesses in the gay community for donations of merchandise. In its first year, the auction raised $2000! John also served as one of the auction's hosts. For PWAC-LI, John organized an annual Christmas toy drive to benefit children with AIDS. From a single ad in LIPP, the response was amazing: the first year, eight van loads of toys were donated. The second year, the number of van loads increased to 12!

Auntie M's Charity Fundraising Committee later became Auntie M's Helping Hands, with a Board of 10 volunteers. They are in the process of incorporation. John declined an offer to serve as President, but he's not showing any signs of slowing down: on February 23rd, he helped Auntie M's raise $3300 for the Long Island Pride Parade. Currently, his goal is to find corporate sponsorship for the 2002 Miss Auntie M's Pageant.

In addition to reward from his charity work, moving back to Long Island brought John something else: love. He has been married to Greg, a schoolteacher, for almost two years.

"We met on April Fool's Day 1999 at Auntie M's. When we looked into each other's eyes, we both knew right away that we were meant for each other." Greg proposed to John on May 23rd, and exactly one year later the two were married at Auntie M's. There were 85 people invited, and 125 showed up! Since John and Greg tied the knot, three other gay couples have had commitment ceremonies at Auntie M's. John and Greg share their apartment with Maestro, their cat. Since moving back, John has also mended his once-strained relationship with his parents. His mother and father were both at the wedding, and they regard Greg as another son. In addition to marital bliss, John also found happiness at work-- he's an assistant manager at Marshall's. "I'm very out at work and very satisfied with my job. If Greg and I could have had registration for our wedding at Marshall's, we would have. I don't shop anywhere else." John invites his co-workers to all the fundraising events, and a few of them have donated money. John wishes to thank John DeSola of Auntie M's for being an inspiration to him, and also wishes to thank friend Ed Mitchell for his exceptional volunteer work. "During the Christmas toy drive, Ed will go to K-Mart and KB Toys and buy one toy for the bar for every toy he buys for his niece or nephew. He practically buys a whole van! He also donates himself as a bachelor in our Bachelor Auction, and volunteers his talents as a construction worker."

John is a big movie freak, proudly displaying his collection of video tapes and DVD's. If anyone out there wants to REALLY reward John for his hard work, find a copy of the long out-of-print 1964 Vincent Price horror flick "The Masque of the Red Death"-- a gift that's guaranteed to please him!

John wishes to remind everyone about Auntie M's Staff Show on May 4th, where the entire Auntie M's staff, including John, will be doing drag to benefit Auntie M's Helping Hands and their float in the L. I. Pride Parade. Does this mean that Shade 516 will shave his trademark goatee? "Of course," John responds. Then again, it seems that John Schimmel would do ANYTHING for a good cause!

Visit John Schimmel's websites:
Shade516 and John Schimmel
Email John

Related Articles:
Sandy Fasion: LIPP's Volunteer of the Year for Suffolk County.