Candlelight vigil helps L.I.'s homeless

A congregation of hundreds gathered at Farmingdale State College last month to join the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless in hosting a “Have a Heart for the Homeless” candlelight vigil to raise awareness for homelessness in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

Attendees, many of whom are homeless, enjoyed the activities, which included free haircuts, face painting, live music and a great deal of donated food.

Thousands of items were collected, including baby items, cleaning items, clothing, books and toys, and then distributed to attendees and organizations that provide for the homeless.

“This event did a wonderful job raising awareness and goods for those in need,” said Greta Guarton, the Coalition’s executive director. “The turnout was spectacular, and we could not be more thankful for all of the donations.”

The vigil, held outside Roosevelt Hall on the campus, included speeches from Charles Russo, chairman of the coalition’s Board of Trustees, and from members of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, as well as a man who has benefited from the Coalition’s numerous awareness-raising events.

“This event, and the others that we do, all serve a great purpose for our community,”  Guarton said. “We can’t wait to do it again next year.”

— Sean Harmon