Lakeview celebrates community and service

Lakeview was abuzz on August 6 as citizens from all over the town came together to celebrate their home. “The best way to describe Lakeview Day this year was simply awesome!” exclaimed Reverend Sheila Thomas.

In the past, Lakeview Day has been a day of encouragement for the Reverend. She has always encouraged people of all walks of life to attend the day. She encourages the elderly to attend the barbeque in the afternoon, and the young people of the town to participate in the annual basketball tournament with teams of all ages in the morning. This year, the Reverend not only encouraged the young people to participate in athletics, but also strongly emphasized the message of getting out into the community and making change.

This year, one change maker who was able to attend the festivities of the 2022 Lakeview Day was Former Hempstead Town Supervisor Laura Gillen, who is currently running for congress. Gillen gave special salutations to Reverend Thomas of St. Johns Baptist Church on the night before Lakeview Day. The next day, she stayed for the entirety of the celebration from the basketball tournament, the parade, and the barbeque later on in the day speaking to members of the community the whole time.

Before the basketball tournament, early in the morning, the parade marchers began on their route through Lakeview. The Lakeview Police Department and the Lakeview Fire Department accompanied participating basketball players on the route. As for the grand marshal of the parade, this year, it was Laura Gillen.

Aside from the exciting attendance of Laura Gillen, Thomas expressed how different this year’s celebration was from any previous years. “After everything we had to deal with during Covid, Lakeview Day this year made it seem better.” Organizers from St. Johns Baptist church feared that there wouldn’t be great turnout due to continued pandemic worries. However, turnout was high according to Thomas, and likely better than last year’s event.

“People finally came out of their homes and saw their beloved neighbors,” she said. For some people, it had been a while since they had seen many of their old friends and family members according to Thomas.

In the past, Nassau University Medical Center would send employees to Lakeview Day to give blood pressure checks and to give out other medical information. This year they administered Covid tests, which may become a regular fixture of the event if the virus continues to linger.

Also present were Kohl’s employees handing out books and toys to children attendees. In addition, members of the Lakeview fire and police departments turned out. The two departments set up booths and acted as recruiters and educators for those interested. “The Police Department in particular was amazing,” Reverend Thomas stated. “They interacted so much with the community, and helped make the day even more special.”

For the Reverend, from the attendance of Laura Gillen to the outstanding turnout for the event, Lakeview Day was a true success. Although some had doubts of its return after Covid, the St. Johns Baptist Church and the community members of Lakeview believe that Lakeview Day will become a strong annual event once again, acting as an important opportunity for people of all ages, backgrounds, and races to come together and celebrate.