Valley Stream mayor donates to Hispanic Brotherhood of Rockville Centre

Valley Stream Mayor Ed Fare presented a $500 contribution to the Hispanic Brotherhood after learning about recent thefts at the agency’s main office in Rockville Centre.

The Brotherhood, a not-for-profit organization, services the Hispanic community across the area. It was established in 1984 by a small group of Hispanic residents in order to assist the fast growing population of immigrants from different Spanish language cultures.

The nonprofit was still recovering financially after a total of $2,600 was taken from a locked cabinet in the organization’s office on two separate occasions in October, employees said. When Mayor Fare heard that the Hispanic Brotherhood’s office had been targeted, he contacted executive director Margarita Grasing and offered to help.

“The services that the Hispanic Brotherhood provides our Hispanic community are invaluable,” Fare said. “In Valley Stream, our Hispanic brothers and sisters benefit from Margarita’s wisdom and energy, in bringing many essential services directly to the people.”

Grasing said she suspects someone “in house” made a copy of one of the keys and broke in to the office cabinet. The Brotherhood recently spent $5,000 on security cameras and has been seeking donations to help recoup what they lost. Fare offered to help fund additional enhancements to the agency’s security system.

“We are very grateful to Mayor Ed Fare for your donation to our agency,” Grasing said. “Our programs reach many families in our area of the South Shore of Long Island, including many families from Valley Stream. Valley Stream has had an outstanding mayor that cares for his constituents.”

“I am proud to partner with Margarita Grasing in any way possible,” Fare added. “Compared to the contributions of the hard work she and her dedicated staff provide to the community, this is a small token, but my way of expressing thanks on behalf of all Valley Streamers.”