Pride Day brings the community together

Taylor Chester, 11, received support from her mother, Christine, and brother, Harrison, 2, while she got her face painted.

Donovan Berthoud/Herald

A tree was planted in honor of Thomas McKevitt, Sr., a longtime community activist who died last June. Standing near the memorial was his son, State Assemblyman Tom McKevitt, second from left, Pride Day co-chairman Alan Beinhacker, second from right, and Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray and Councilman Anthony Santino.

Donovan Berthoud/Herald

Skylar Caruso made a balloon toy for 3-year-old Dean Korinsis.

Donovan Berthoud/Herald

Nicole and Allison Garcia, and their parents Sandra and Walter, viewed the sky from a brand new perspective while at the booth for the Amateur Observers Society of New York.

Donovan Berthoud/Herald

The 24th annual East Meadow Community Pride Day at Speno Park was sponsored by the East Meadow Kiwanis Club.

Donovan Berthoud/Herald

Robbie Stahl, 11, and his sister, Kate, 9, found a comfortable spot to eat.

Donovan Berthoud/Herald

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East Meadow’s 24th Annual Community Pride Day was a success last Saturday, as hundreds of community members joined together at Speno Park for a day full of fun activities.

Those activities ranged from games for kids to educational seminars, including face painting, a giant slide, a maze, as well as a health fair and safety demonstrations.

But the free event’s main purpose is to bring residents together to celebrate the wonderful community they live in. It was sponsored by the East Meadow Kiwanis Club, and chaired by Alan Beinhacker, Ellen DeRosa and Elizabeth Fries.

The Kiwanis Club also planted a tree and dedicated a plaque in honor of Thomas McKevitt Sr., a longtime community activist and the father of State Assemblyman Tom McKevitt, who died last June.

“People in Kiwanis are just amazing. They donate their time to help and be part of this wonderful organization,” said Beinhacker. “Despite the rain in the morning, it was very smooth and very nice. We had a good time.”

Beinhacker also credited the numerous people and municipalities that take part in organizing the event, including Town of Hempstead officials, Nassau County police, EMFD volunteers, Boy and Girl Scouts and local school officials.