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Partly Cloudy Families receive Christmas deliveries from Kiwanis
Dozens of East Meadowites gathered at W.T. Clarke High School on Saturday morning, packing their cars with grocery bags filled with food. They weren’t taking the packages home, however; they delivered them to families in need across the community.
The East Meadow Kiwanis Club capped off their 2015 holiday basket initiative this weekend, assembling and bringing food to 135 families who wouldn’t otherwise have Christmas dinner because of trying circumstances. But thanks to the organization and their partners, these families had the components of a complete holiday feast.
Volunteers from the Kiwanis Club — a service organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children and families — collected items for the baskets at food drives at grocery stores like Shop Rite throughout the holiday season, in addition to donating items themselves. Seven youth service leadership organizations also contributed to the cause: the Nassau Community College Circle K; key clubs from East Meadow, Clarke and Sacred Heart high schools; the Woodland Middle School and Clarke Builders clubs; the Bowling Green Elementary School K-Kids Club; and the Nassau University Medical Center Kiwanis Club-sponsored McVey Elementary School K-Kids. The youngsters participate in the program under the leadership of K-Kids Administrator/Youth Services Chairperson Mickie Leamey and nine Kiwanians who serve as sponsored youth advisors.
After each organization gathered food for the Christmas baskets, — and volunteers went on a last-minute shopping trip to add the finishing touches to each package, — organizers assembled them on Friday, Dec. 18. They delivered the baskets to needy families, who were chosen by social workers and religious leaders, the next day.
After they were given the meal packages, free of charge, local families were also invited to attend a special Christmas party hosted by Borrelli’s Italian Restaurant, Kiwanis representatives said.
Holiday Food Drive Chairperson Jay Steinmetz, Holiday Food Basket Assembly Chairperson Dr. Steven Perrick and Holiday Food Basket Delivery Chairperson Alan Hodish led the entire philanthropic initiative. The project is just one of the many Kiwanis Club activities that benefit disadvantaged people in the community, including sending children to summer camp, awarding college scholarships and donating funds and equipment to a variety of community service groups that save and enhance residents’ lives.
