Thousands of clothes and school supplies given away at Roosevelt PAL

We’re happy we were able to make that connection with them and actually meet the needs of those within the community.

The Roosevelt Police Athletic League Center was the scene of a very busy giveaway of well over 3,000 clothing items and hundreds of bookbags for Roosevelt families. The giveaway was orchestrated by the Long Island chapter of global humanitarian nonprofit, SRLC USA (Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care), and the Nassau County Office of Minority Affairs.

The giveaway was held on Aug. 30, and despite being initially scheduled for three hours from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., the turnout for the event was so great that organizers say all items were given away by 3:10 p.m. The Herald observed that by 3:30 p.m., volunteers were finishing cleaning and clearing the auditorium used for the event.

Organizers estimate that nearly 400 community members from Roosevelt and surrounding areas received over 3,500 pieces of clothing. Over 450 bookbags were also given out to students.

This event also served as the official launch of SRLC USA Long Island’s “Classroom of Change” initiative, which aims to better supply families with services and resources needed for student academic success.

“Under that particular branding we are trying to cover different programs, giving the families whatever they need for the need for the education side, like mentoring the kids, student reading circles and career guidance,” Dave Mehta, lead volunteer of SRLC USA Long Island, said of Classroom of Change.

SRLC USA has 36 centers across the country while its parent organization is based in India. All of its initiatives are “100 percent volunteer based,” Mehta explained. The organization has served over 100,000 students nationally through its numerous programs.

Mehta credited the partnership with the Nassau County Office of Minority Affairs, led by its executive director Lionel Chitty, for helping SRLC USA find a location for the giveaway, allowing it to be quite successful.

Chitty told the Herald that the Office of Minority Affairs was happy to work with SRLC USA Long Island after the organization had similar smaller scale charitable events elsewhere. Such events included school-kit distributions at Wyandanch’s National Night Out on Aug. 4.

In collaboration with the Roosevelt Chamber of Commerce and the local American Legion Post, additional volunteers and participants were able to partake in the event.

“The Roosevelt Chamber and the American Legion Post were extremely happy that we brought this specifically to Roosevelt to help those in need,” Chitty said. “We’re thankful that within the organization [SRLC USA], and whatever mantra they follow, that part of it is to give back to those in need. So we’re happy we were able to make that connection with them and actually meet the needs of those within the community that required some assistance, making sure their kids were ready for school.”

Charles S. Oliver, a member of the Roosevelt Chamber of Commerce and the second commander of the Roosevelt American Legion, also applauded the event, stating, “We are standing on the shoulders of our past to build a better future.”

In addition to receiving free items, students were able to write and pin a personal pledge they had for the school year on a Wall of Commitments. Mehta emphasized that this is only the beginning of Classroom of Change, as it promises to provide Roosevelt students and families with tutoring, yoga, reading and other services year-round.

“Sunday wasn’t a giveaway. It was day one,” Mehta said. “Our volunteers will be back in Roosevelt throughout the year, and we’d welcome any school or community organizations that wants to be part of it.”

To join Classroom of Change programs or become a SRLC USA volunteer, please visit srlcusa.org.