In recognition of Women’s History Month, Nassau County Legislators Debra Mulé and Scott M. Davis partnered with local libraries and a community center to support women and children experiencing homelessness through a monthlong supply drive benefiting Bethany House.
Mulé and Davis, who both represent parts of Baldwin, organized the initiative in collaboration with the Baldwin Public Library, Freeport Memorial Library, Oceanside Library and the Rockville Centre Recreation Center. Throughout March, residents from the 1st and 6th Legislative Districts were invited to donate essential household items at the designated drop-off locations.
Donations included paper goods such as paper towels, toilet paper, napkins and paper plates, as well as cleaning supplies like garbage bags, disinfectant wipes, cleaning sprays and sponges. Nonperishable food items were also collected to help support families in need.
“We are always open to helping members of our community,” said Elizabeth Olesh, director of the Baldwin Public Library. “When we were approached to serve as a collection site for the supply drive, we were happy to do so.”
The drive concluded with the delivery of collected items to Bethany House on April 8 at the organization’s Baldwin location. According to Mulé, the initiative exceeded expectations, generating a surplus of donations. Additional items will be shared with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Center in Rockville Centre to further extend the impact of the community’s contributions.
Bethany House, a Baldwin-based nonprofit, operates shelters in Roosevelt and Baldwin and focuses on providing a safe haven for women, particularly mothers with children, who are facing homelessness and domestic violence. The organization offers trauma-informed services, access to comprehensive health care and dedicated case management designed to help clients achieve permanent housing and long-term self-sufficiency.
“The drive culminated with a huge donation of needed supplies to support our organization, such as paper goods, everyday household necessities and so much more,” said Lisa King of Bethany House. “When needed supplies are donated to Bethany House, it allows us to focus funds on programs that empower our guests to be successful, so this is very impactful and very much welcome. We plan to continue our community outreach and hope to work with these legislators and local libraries in the near future.”
Mulé highlighted the community’s strong response and the importance of supporting organizations like Bethany House, particularly during Women’s History Month.
“Compassion drives the mission of Bethany House, where their diligent team does outstanding work to help women and children in Nassau County emerge from the greatest challenges of their lives,” Mulé said. “I am thrilled that the community responded so enthusiastically to our Women’s History Month drive, and I know that the supplies will go to great use in the days to come!”
Davis echoed those sentiments, emphasizing the need to continue supporting vulnerable populations across Nassau County.
“Having seen the impactful work of Bethany House firsthand on multiple occasions, I know how imperative it is to support their efforts and equip them with resources to aid Nassau County’s most vulnerable families,” Davis said. “It was such a pleasure to collaborate with Legislator Mulé and our community partners to support a worthwhile organization that provides such essential support for women and children in their greatest hour of need.”
Mulé also noted in a social media post that the initiative aimed to give residents an opportunity to support an organization that provides “comfort and guidance” to women and children as they work toward stable and secure futures. She thanked the participating libraries and recreation center for helping make the drive a success, underscoring the role of community partnerships in addressing local needs.
Organizers said they hope to build on the momentum of this year’s drive and continue working together to support Bethany House and similar organizations in the future.
