By Cindy J. Roth
The drive, spearheaded by Bellmore-Merrick Community Wellness Council and organized with the help of a dozen other local civic groups including the Bellmore and Merrick Chamber of Commerce, Bellmore and Merrick Kiwanis Clubs, Bellmore Lions, Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, Bellmore-Merrick Coordinating Council PTA and the Community Parent Center, brought together the efforts of four communities.
"It's incredible," said Gail Volk, Bellmore-Merrick Community Wellness Council coordinator. "It was about 60 donors, some individuals, but by in large the majority were different organizations. I can't even fathom how many gave."
The money raised will be divided among the families of the 25 dead in Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District borders and given as holiday gifts. Included with the money are gift certificates to local eateries and items donated from local vendors.
"It's been a major effort on the part of so many throughout the community," Volk said. "Gail Aronoff went from restaurant to restaurant knocking on doors and collected hundreds of dollars of gifts that are being sent out in these baskets. She was very motivated to try and do something. That was an amazing project."
Aronoff, an unaffiliated Bellmore resident, said she started asking local restaurants to donate for what she called "A Night on the Town." Soon, she expanded her collections to local movie theaters and the Brokerage Comedy Club. Aronoff also secured 30 tickets to see A Christmas Carol at Radio City Music Hall and several tickets donated by Nassau Coliseum to see Disney on Ice, Ringling Bros. and Barnum Bailey Circus and the Harlem Globetrotters, as well as gift certificates to several restaurants in New York City, including Dylan's Candy Bar, a trendy dessert place.
"You just need to feel like you're doing something," said Aronoff about why she was motivated to help with the fundraising efforts.
The Bellmore Chamber of Commerce was one of the largest sources of support, according to Volk, donating $2,500. Several Boy Scout troops, PTAs and students helped raise money, including Dinkelmeyer Elementary School, which raised $1,028.
"It's been a major effort on the part of so many throughout the community," said Volk. "We couldn't have done this if it was not a community-wide effort."
The majority of baskets were delivered over the last two weeks with the help from many civic group volunteers and local clergy. Bernie Stein, Merrick Kiwanis Club president, said the fundraising has been a very intense project, considering the shortness of time. Stein, who delivered several baskets, said it was the best feeling he ever had.
"It's been wonderful," Stein said. "The people's response was incredible, and it made me feel proud to be a part of this community. It was breathtaking. The community just poured its heart out."
