Thursday, October 1, 2026
An Oceanside resident is giving back to essential workers during the coronavirus and has raised more than $6,000 and made 32 deliveries of food and treats to hospital workers and first responders.
Michele Butterman, a second and third grade math teacher at Walnut Street School in Uniondale, is behind the initiative and has worked tirelessly to raise money for the cause.
“It’s always nice to see them very happy,” Butterman said of front-line workers and first responders. “It’s great to see everyone come together in the community. Ever since I was young, I always did service projects throughout the year.”
Butterman created the Facebook page, “Let’s Give Back to Our Essential Workers!!” to spread awareness about her cause. She said she was inspired to help because many of her friends are essential workers, such as nurses, and her mom’s close friend died from the virus.
“Once it’s someone that you know, it really hits home,” she said. “So I definitely wanted to give back.”
Butterman said she was both pleased and surprised that the initiative had raised more than $6,000 at press time. She added that Walnut Avenue School Principal Kevin Bracht and Assistant Principal Frantz Dorsainvil supported her and helped her find families to support from the school.
Butterman has delivered food, ice cream, frozen yogurt and other treats to hospitals, the Oceanside Fire Department, the Nassau County Police Department and other essential workers. She personally delivers the items when she can, but with many safety measures and protocols in place as the pandemic continues, sometimes she has to drop the food and can’t see the workers in-person. She said she tries to get a sense of what kind of food the workers like before she purchases it.
She has collected money through herFacebook page and her Venmo and PayPal accounts. To donate, visit the Let’s Give Back to Our Essential Workers!! Facebook page, or Venmo @Michele-Beth.
“For us to be able to send food and brighten their days,” she said, “it’s great.”
