By:
Village resident Denise Festa, who lives by the words," if you light one candle what a bright world this would be," has been personally involved in helping 31 Hempstead families whose household and personal belongings were destroyed when a recent blaze tore through their apartment building. Ever since the fire occurred, Festa has been mobilizing the Rockville Centre community into action-and she's happy to say, the community has responded quickly.
Recently, she had the opportunity to visit the apartments and meet with some of the families. According to Festa, "These are hard working people who didn't have much to begin with and are now left with virtually nothing." She said most are in need of money since they missed a number of days of work, and that they are appreciative people who are only asking for the basics. She urges residents to contribute in some way, emphasizing that everything counts. Following is a list of what is needed:
Clothing
Adult men's sizes medium to XXXXXL
Adult men's shoe sizes 6 1/2 to 11 1/2
Adult women's sizes Small through XXXXL (sizes 2-20)
Adult women's shoe sizes 5-10
Boys sizes 5-18
Boys shoe sizes 4 1/2 -13
Girls sizes 18 mos.-12 (S-L)
Girls shoe sizes 2-10 1/2
Furniture
1 bunk bed
12 twin beds
5 full beds
4 queen beds
16 dressers
16 twin bedding
10 full bedding
4 queen bedding
10 pillows
5 end tables
12 couches
8 kitchen table sets
4 sets pots/pans
6 sets kitchen utensils
9 set of dishes
10 sets of glasses
10 sets of coffee mugs
30 towels
5 gallons of paint (neutral color)
10 curtains (cafe, living room)
20 sets of school supplies
Collection of non perishable foods including cans of soup, macaroni and cheese, pasta, rice, beans, peanut butter and healthy snacks is ongoing. Disposable diapers in various sizes would also be appreciated.
If you have any of the above listed furniture items, Festa will arrange for pick up. Clothing may be left at her garage door. She is also looking for additional young adult volunteers (middle school through college) to help sort through clothing and food donations once they are collected. If you would like to make a financial contribution, please make checks out to Hempstead Fund for the Needy and mail them c/o Denise Festa, 47 Heyward Lane, Rockville Centre, N.Y. 11570. You can reach her on her cell at (917) 304-2063 or via e-mail at steinwaydenise@yahoo.com.
