The Week Ahead

Spring Food Drive

The East Meadow Kiwanis will be holding its annual Spring Food Drive from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 21, near the entrance of Shop Rite at 1121 Jerusalem Ave. in Uniondale. The organization is helping to stock local food pantries to help families in the community living under trying circumstance. They are accepting non-perishable food and/or monetary donations of any size.

East Meadow Little League Parade

The East Meadow Little League will hold its annual parade on April 21 at 10 a.m. It will begin at Veteran’s Memorial Park and end on their fields on Merrick Ave. Hundreds of young athletes and their families will meet under sunny skies and march to kick off the new season. There are many ways to get involved, whether it be a team, a banner sign or cheering the teams on in the dugout. For more information, visit their website at www.embsa.net.

Swim-a-thon

Every spring, young children, teens and adults alike are invited to take a dip for a worthy cause at NYU Winthrop Hospital’s Annual Swim-a-Thon. This event, which raises vital funds for the Hospital’s Child Life Program, will take place on April 22 from 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Hofstra University’s Swim Center. The Child Life Program is a pivotal component to the overall care of pediatric patients and their families at NYU Winthrop. Through the program, highly trained Certified Child Life Specialists utilize play and education to improve patients’ understanding of medical procedures; teach relaxation techniques to help young patients cope with illness or surgery; and provide emotional support for the entire family. To date, the Swim-A-Thon has raised more than $400,000 to benefit the Child Life Program.