Neighbors in the News

A holiday visit from Little Saint Nick

Shopping spree in New York City for local children

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Little Saint Nick (aka Ray Mohler) made a brighter Christmas and holiday for some local children last week when he and members of his organization, the Little St. Nick Foundation planned a special trip for them to do a little shopping.

Gathering at the organization’s headquarters, the children and their companions waited excitedly — while munching on a bagel and juice breakfast — to board the bus that would take them into New York City for their shopping spree.

The Little Saint Nick foundation was founded by Mohler, now 16 and a junior at Lynbrook High School, who, at the age of five, developed a joint hip disease that left him in a double leg brace for two years. Feeling grateful that his disease was not life threatening, Raymond decided to return to the hospital with his own Christmas presents to cheer up patients still there.

The next year, Raymond went door to door to raise money to purchase new toys for children in the hospital. In 2005, his efforts grew so big that the Little Saint Nick Foundation was born, with the mission of making hospitals a kid-friendly place. The foundation is going into its tenth year.

The event, coordinated with help from the school district’s social worker, allowed selected children, who may otherwise not have been able to enjoy the holidays to the fullest, to go on a Toys-R-Us shopping spree, each presented with $300 gift cards (that could also be used outside of the play store.

“We’re excited,” said one woman who was waiting to board the bus with her granddaughter. “She’s never been into the city, and she’s a little nervous — be it’s all good.”

“It gives these kids a chance to have some fun, and enjoy themselves,” said Mohler. “That’s what we’re all about.”