Saturday, October 3, 2026
Howie’s Heart, a nonprofit organization, hosted a ‘paw-ty’ to celebrate Dogust, the universal birthday for shelter dogs, on Aug. 6 at the Franklin Square Public Library. Working with the Nassau County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, teen-volunteers made goodie bags, cards and “woof-les” — dog-friendly waffles — that were donated to foster dogs.
With balloons tied on each chair, birthday banners hung on each wall and children sitting at tables covered in colorful plastic tablecloth, the party celebrated four-legged friends still waiting for someone to take them home.
Nassau County SPCA volunteer Andrea Kominski started the event with a short presentation about the organization and her experience fostering Portia, her 12-year-old Cocker Spaniel. Kominski has been taking care of her since October and has been fostering approximately 40 different animals.
“Sometimes they get a little forgotten,” Kominski said, noting older dogs with health conditions like Portia often spend the longest time in shelters or foster care. “But Portia is not forgotten anymore and today we are going to celebrate her.”
Volunteers were separated to three different stations. The first station was for decorating goodie baskets and filling each one with toys and treats for a big or small dogs. The second station was for volunteers adding the “woof-le” baking mix into small waffle makers. At the third station, volunteers designed cards for newly adopted dog owners and a small square cloth —all of which were tied together, forming a quilt to be used as a background for adoption photos.
Camacho said she has watched the organization expand since its founding in Feb. 2024. There were so many new volunteers at the Aug. 6 event, Camacho said, that some were put on a waitlist.
Riley Raio, a student at Polk Street Elementary School, said it was her first time at a Howie’s Heart event. She enjoyed making goodie bags the most.
Howie’s Heart is a family-run, nonprofit organization honoring its namesake, Howie Conklin, by spreading kindness through community service across Franklin Square and neighboring communities. The nonprofit hosts community service events throughout the year to encourage children and families to give back to the community.
Conklin is the father of co-founders Jen Camacho, Melissa Cox and James Conklin, who died in 2021. The siblings started the nonprofit in his name to keep his spirit of kindness alive.
Not only did the nonprofit celebrate Dogust, but also Conklin’s birthday, which was Aug. 4.
His birthday can be challenging for the family, Camacho explained. But, celebrating events that encourage kindness helps Camacho and her siblings get through it.
“When we channel that energy and try to do something good in his name, it makes it easier to get through the day without him,” Camacho said.
Conklin would rescue golden retriever dogs, Camacho recalled, that were old or sick because he believed that they deserved a loving home to live in, even in their final years. Waffles and ice cream was also one of Conklin’s favorite desserts, Camacho said, remembering her mother making the treat for him from time to time.
For more information about Howie’s Heart, and to register for future events, visit HowiesHeart.org.
