Thursday, October 1, 2026
Howie’s Heart — a Franklin Square-based nonprofit that inspires children, teens and families to find joy in helping others and spreading kindness — marked its second anniversary with a night of giving back, celebration and reflection on two years of service to the community.
The Franklin Square library held the celebration Thursday, bringing together community members and award recipients who have gone above and beyond as partners in service to Howie’s Heart.
Jennifer Camacho and her siblings, James Conklin and Melissa Cox, founded the organization in honor of their father, Howie, who died at 67 in December of 2021. They transformed his acts of kindness into a mission of their own, dedicating their time to serving the community.
During the event, attendees created heartfelt Valentine’s Day cards to be sent to seniors, continuing the organization’s commitment to carrying out acts of generosity.
Howie’s Heart is a recipient of the True Grit Award from A Team Consulting, a Manhattan-based accounting firm that recognizes individuals and organizations strengthening communities. Additionally, Conklin and Camacho did a podcast on 90.3 WHPC this month, where they discussed their nonprofit journey and the relationships they have built along the way.
Howie’s Heart also continues to raise awareness for Elias Manolis, a teenager searching for a living kidney donor. Elias, who was born with chronic kidney disease, shared his story during the event.
“Sometimes it’s hard to do other things other kids my age can do,” he said. “But I keep staying strong and hopeful.”
The organization also honored several individuals during its annual awards ceremony, recognizing community partnerships and dedicated volunteers.
Victoria Tiso, owner of Tori T’s Pizzeria in Malverne, received the 2025 Community Partner Award. Tiso supported Howie’s Heart’s vision for its Slice of Pride event last June, which aimed to bring the community together in support of LGBTQ+ neighbors.
Camacho said she learned a great deal from Tiso, stating that “as a business owner, I have learned that success starts with respect.” She added that Tiso, along with another pizzeria, joined forces to donate pizza for the Slice of Pride event, which became the nonprofit’s largest service event to date.
Hazel Suckman, 8, received the Compassionate Ally Award. After attending a Howie’s Heart community service event, she felt inspired to take initiative and founded her own nonprofit, Hazel’s Harmony, to help others better understand her brother and spread autism awareness.
“Some of our greatest teachers are often the youngest among us,” Camacho said.
Emma Scheilding, who dedicates her time creating initiatives to support students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also received the Compassionate Ally Award. After experiencing it herself, she developed strategies to navigate expectations placed on her. She has partnered with Howie’s Heart to help younger students practice mindfulness and organizational skills to uplift and support them.
The Heart of Kindness Award was presented to Valentina Chapman, founder of the platform Let’s Create and Be Kind, which promotes kindness through artistic outlets. Her arts and crafts service events focus on bringing joy to teenagers battling cancer.
“Valentina’s actions reflect the very spirit of Howie’s Heart,” Camacho said. “That kindness is not just an idea, it is something we practice through every event, every partnership and every moment we choose to show up for one another and for others.”
Erica Parmigiano received the Outstanding Volunteer Award for consistently supporting the nonprofit, assisting with baking, event setup and other needs. She has been part of Howie’s Heart’s elf team for the past two years, helping spread joy to children with life-threatening illnesses.
Madison Duckworth also received the Outstanding Volunteer Award. Connecting with Camacho on a personal level, Duckworth continually looks for ways to expand the organization’s impact. She has supported the Holiday Cheer Bus team, helping spread love to children they visit. Camacho described her as someone who reminds her that “leadership is not defined by age, but by heart.”
The Arana family — Anna, Drew, Maya, Ryan and Gabrielle — received the Family of the Year Award. The family has dedicated time to performing good deeds throughout the community, including delivering food to families on Thanksgiving and helping decorate a home to fulfill a child’s Christmas wish.
“Anna and Drew are raising their children to think of others before themselves,” Camacho said.
Each award was made of wood, honoring Howie’s work as a carpenter. For the nonprofit, the material represents a strong foundation and reflects the meaning behind its mission.
