Holiday Giving

Seaford students are spreading joy

School groups visit homeless, collect toys

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Seaford High School students want everyone to have a happy holiday season. That’s why they have kept busy the past few weeks helping the less fortunate.

Members of the National Honor Society visited the Mary Brennan INN soup kitchen in Hempstead on Dec. 15, spending about eight hours helping the homeless. The students prepared and served meals, organized the food pantry and donated 15 bags of coats.

“It was a very powerful experience,” said Honor Society President Nick Faranda, a senior. “It’s not something you see in our normal lives in Seaford. We did help all these people who are homeless and struggling. Their struggles don’t end because it’s the holidays.”

About 20 Seaford students spent the day there, including Honor Society Treasurer Paul Alberti who, like Faranda, said it had an impact on him.

“It was very good to connect with the people on a new level,” said Alberti, who also did some Spanish translating for the group.

Adviser Linda Schwartz said the Honor Society has been visiting the soup kitchen for the past seven years, and another trip is planned in May. After talking to many of the people there last week and learning what their needs are, the group is looking to collect toiletries.

“I think it’s very eye opening for them,” Schwartz said. “A lot of students don’t realize that poverty exists on Long Island. Hopefully it makes them more compassionate.”

Schwartz said she is very proud of the students who gave up their time, especially the seniors who are busy applying to colleges, and spending a day at the soup kitchen. “This isn’t something that’s required,” she said. “They give of themselves, which I find commendable.”

Collecting toys

The Student Councils at both the middle and high schools have been collecting toys this month for needy children. This week, the high school students — including one each dressed as Santa and Mrs. Claus — were to visit Headstart programs in Westbury and Hempstead, including at a hospital and orphanage, to deliver the toys.

Maggie Crean, the high school Student Council president, said that each child would receive a toy, a stuffed animal, a stocking stuffer and a candy cane.

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