Hi Friends,

We are living through some very challenging times, especially for our neighbors whose legal status is in question, and who are struggling financially during this time. Unfortunately, we can’t change the crazy man in the White House, but there are small things we can do that can have an impact on a local family. Whether it is volunteering with an awesome non-profit, or donating food, toys, or money, we can all make a difference in someone’s life. As many of you volunteered with me for years when we cooked food for the less fortunate, you are familiar with the organization we partnered with, River Fund NY. Last week, I went down and volunteered with them and it felt so good!! They always welcome volunteers to help with their food pantry.

Well now they are partnering with The Pearlman Performing Arts Center during the performances of A Christmas Carol, now through January 4th, to support their programs and toy drive! To purchase tickets, click here, and use the code RIVER15.

In addition, there are many Holiday Toy Drives around where you can donate a new, unwrapped toy, that will be shared with a family in need.  Assemblyman Charles Lavine is sponsoring a toy drive at his district office. 1 School Street in Glen Cove, where you can drop off a toy, or at one of the Libraries below.

• Oyster Bay-East Norwich Public Library at 89 E. Main Street, Oyster Bay 11771 
• Bryant Library located at 2 Papermill Road, Roslyn, 11576 
• Glen Cove Library located at 4 Glen Cove Ave, Glen Cove, NY 11542
• Hicksville Public Library at 169 Jerusalem Ave, Hicksville, NY 11801

Community Solidarity is another non-profit local gem, where you can volunteer! They are a grassroots based movement dedicated to permanently eliminating hunger, poverty, and homelessness by empowering communities to heal themselves. It aims to put itself out of business by achieving systemic social, economic, and environmental change.