Friday, February 7, 2025
Let’s make kindness a priority in our lives, not simply a one-time deed, as we start a new year full of opportunities and commitments. As a lifelong Glen Cover and a teacher for 34 years, I have seen firsthand how compassion can foster positive change and improve communities.
Despite its seeming simplicity, compassion has a big impact. In an increasingly divided world, choosing kindness is a powerful act of resistance against negativity. According to a recent Mayo Clinic study, doing good deeds can lower stress, improve mental health and even improve physical health. In other words, kindness benefits both the giver and the recipient.
Countless acts of kindness have shaped our Glen Cove community. The work of NOSH Delivers, which provides weekly assistance to more than 600 local families in need, is a poignant example. No family goes hungry because of this fantastic charity. Similarly, 50 families received complete Thanksgiving feasts, and more than 100 children received warm winter jackets, thanks to the city Building Department’s food and clothing drive.
As an honored member of the Glen Cove Rotary and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, I have seen how these amazing organizations exemplify the giving spirit. The Rotary has raised money for Cove Animal Rescue, as well as a local family with a child battling cancer, and hosts Project Warmth, in which local children are taken shopping for new coats, hats and other necessary winter items. The LAOH frequently makes donations to the food pantries at local churches, and recently to the Glen Cove Boys & Girls Club and the Senior Center. These programs show how empathy and a sense of community can have a big impact on meeting urgent needs.
Looking ahead, the spirit of kindness will shine at the fourth annual Tribute and Honor Foundation Awards and Glen Cove CARES’ February fundraiser, marking 28 years of support for those affected by cancer. These events highlight the courage and generosity of those who uplift others and strengthen our community. Eva Casale, of Glen Cove, who, along with Team EVA — Every Veteran Appreciated — supports veterans groups by running seven marathons in seven days every year, is equally inspirational. Her steadfast dedication serves as a reminder that small deeds of kindness can spread compassion and hope.
Whether it’s supporting people affected by cancer, commemorating our veterans or lending a helping hand to needy families, kindness is what binds our community together. “We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone,” former President Ronald Reagan said. Those words are a potent reminder that even tiny deeds of kindness can have a significant impact.
Throughout my years as a business and computer education instructor in Levittown, I frequently urged my pupils to approach their studies and relationships with empathy and compassion. “Success is about how you treat people along the way, not just about reaching your goals,” I told them. Those lessons are still applicable today as we strive to build a culture that values kindness as much as accomplishment.
It’s important to remember that being kind doesn’t equate to being weak. Conversely, it calls for fortitude and purpose. According to author and journalist Peggy Noonan, “simple consistency is part of courage.” Being kind entails being truthful, establishing limits, and acting to encourage others, even when doing so is difficult or inconvenient.
As we begin 2025, I encourage everyone in Glen Cove to adopt a “kindness first” mindset. Whether it’s checking in on an elderly neighbor, supporting local businesses or volunteering for a community organization, there are countless ways to make a difference. Remember, kindness is contagious; a single act can inspire a ripple effect that transforms lives.
We must teach kindness to our children. Online harassment and hate speech underscore the importance of leading by example with compassion and respect. When we unite to nurture empathetic and understanding individuals, kindness will endure as a cornerstone of our community.
Glen Cove’s warmth and compassion have always defined us as a community. This year, let’s continue setting a strong example, demonstrating the transformative power of kindness. As we face challenges and opportunities ahead, recall Margaret Thatcher’s wise words: “Watch your habits, for they become your character. And watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”
Wishing you all a happy, healthy, and kind new year. Remember to live by the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.”
Pamela Panzenbeck is the mayor of Glen Cove.
