NEW HYDE PARK
Nassau County Legislature Presiding Officer and New Hyde Park resident Richard Nicolello held a drive-through surgical mask pickup for senior citizens at the New Hyde Park Fire Department on Jericho Turnpike. The event was co-sponsored by Mad Men Barbershop in Williston Park and the New Hyde Park Fire Department. Previously, Nicolello had partnered with local small businesses to collect these masks for distribution. More than 2,000 surgical masks were distributed to senior citizens.
GARDEN CITY
Town of Hempstead Supervisor and Garden City resident Donald Clavin, Jr. and the town board recently announced that the town will be making contributions of $1 million to each of the four hospitals that operate within the town to help pay for unbudgeted expenses incurred directly related to COVID-19. The hospitals are Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Centre, Northwell Health’s Long Island Jewish Valley Stream Hospital, Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow and Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital in Oceanside. The funding will help offset the costs of adding ICU beds, acquiring more PPE, establishing new ventilator systems and other unanticipated aspects of taking-in and treating thousands of COVID-19 patients.
HICKSVILLE
United Way of Long Island’s “UNITED TOGETHER: A Response Fund For COVID-19” recently launched with contributions from leading supporters including a $75,000 gift from National Grid, which has offices in Hicksville. The funding is enabling the nonprofit to take immediate and continued action as well as act as a source of support to provide relief to thousands of Long Islanders in their time of need. As many families are experiencing unexpected financial hardship, the fund provides direct emergency financial assistance to help meet the critical needs of food and household essentials.
FARMINGDALE
An eight-alarm fire recently broke out at the Tronic Plating Company located at 37 Potter St. in Farmingdale. The Farmingdale Village Fire Department and surrounding fire departments, volunteers and emergency workers, responded. One firefighter sustained a minor injury and a second had heat exhaustion. The fire caused the roof to collapse and due to the unknown chemicals at the site the Nassau County Haz-Mat team was called in and was at the scene. The fire was under control two-and-a-half hours after it started and its cause is under investigation.
MASSAPEQUA
The Massapequa School District Board of Education adopted its proposed budget for the 2020-21 school year, which includes a tax levy increase significantly below the district’s allowable tax cap limit. Residents will vote on the $207,675,646 spending plan and board of education trustees via mail-in absentee ballot only on June 9.
LEVITTOWN
The Levittown Community Action Coalition (LCAC) sent a letter to NBC, requesting the network take down a video that aired on Saturday Night Live, entitled “Let Kids Drink.” The satirical skit made national headlines for seemingly encouraging children to drink alcohol during the pandemic.
“While we recognize this was created in satire, we feel this could be harmful to youth who are exposed to the content, both as it is aired on television and is being shared online,” the letter reads.
PLAINVIEW
Long Island Lutheran Middle & High School (LuHi) recently honored Hicksville residents Lori and Jim Mason, (Class of 1972, and 1971, respectively), along with James Farrell and Roy Labrador as the 2020 Alumni of the Year during the LuHi weekly virtual Chapel service. Since 1993, this annual award has recognized those who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievements, commitment to their churches and communities, and continued involvement at LuHi. The awards were delivered to honorees a week before the Chapel service and each honoree sent in a recorded video to address the student body. Both Masons are both active at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Plainview where they are involved in choir, church council (VP and Pres), ushering, altar guild and directing church dinners throughout the church year.
GLEN COVE
Glen Cove’s “Do Good to Feel Good” program has made an incredible difference for so many residents during the COVID-19 crisis that has left many without incomes. Volunteers separate the donations into bags and deliver them to families in need and senior citizens across Glen Cove. If you are interested in helping to collect and/or deliver food or make monetary donations to help neighbors in need, contact Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton’s office at 516-571-6211 or dderiggiwhitton@nassaucountyny.gov.
SYOSSET
Every employee of Northwell Health was enriched last week thanks to the overwhelming generosity and love demonstrated by 7-year-old Syosset native Desiree Mohammodi. She decided that she had to do something to ease the burdens of health care workers at Northwell Health. So she emptied her piggy bank of the $52.65 (yes, she counted each penny herself) that constituted her life savings, and sat down to write a letter to Michael Dowling, president and CEO of Northwell.
During a virtual press event held at Northwell’s headquarters, Dowling listened as Mohammodi read her letter and presented him with a small, but heavy bucket, which was filled with $52.65 in loose change.
“Because we think Desiree is a true superhero, we want to give her a special thank-you,” he said, presenting the clearly surprised young lady with an American Girl doll almost as tall as she was, and a working telescope. “Here at Northwell, we believe that now more than ever, the generosity and compassion of one special little girl should be rewarded.”
MANHASSET
On June 5, Sister Kelly Quinn, the Principal of Our Lady of Grace Montessori School—an independent Catholic preschool and elementary school will be completing a 10-mile walk around the school’s Manhasset neighborhood. What a unique and special way to show support for her students in the hopes of bringing some fun and excitement to the larger community during these trying times. All members of the community are invited to come out and show their support for Sister Kelly as she passes by their homes. Honk your car horns, bang on pots and pans or just clap and cheer as she makes her way around Manhasset. Visit www.Movingforward.givesmart.com for more information.