By MIKE CAPUTO
Hundreds of East Meadow community members returned the favor last Saturday night at Helping Hands, a special fundraiser in honor of Davis, who died on July 9 of complications of liver failure.
The event, organized to raise money for the Davis family, resulted from the work of a four-person committee and the generosity of several local business owners and individuals.
Jeanne Herring, a member of the committee and a close friend of the Davis family, said people helped even if they never met the man or his wife and children. She said that local businesses offered gift certificates, food or other items for the raffles without even asking questions.
"I think a lot of it has to do with because Ed was such a kind man," Herring said. "Pay it forward, that's what it really is. It really brought the whole community together."
So many members of the community showed up at the fundraiser, at Calvary Lutheran Church, that people had to be turned away when the auditorium filled to capacity. "It went unbelievable," Herring said. "I can't believe the amount of people that showed up."
Davis was the owner and operator of JFT, a cleaning and maintenance business. He often worked through the early morning hours at office buildings in the area. The business allowed him to support his wife, Dona - a past PTA president at McVey Elementary School - and their three sons, Keith, 17 Christopher, 15 and Matthew., 10. But because Davis was the sole proprietor of his business, he allocated his own salary and paid his own benefits, which made it difficult for the family when he was diagnosed with a failing liver three years ago.
Things appeared to be looking up when Davis received a liver transplant in 2007. But a year later, the new liver and his kidneys began to fail. He died with family at his side.
Rose Fuger, owner of Taste of Home Bakery in Bellmore, vice president of the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Helping Hands committee, reached out to the chamber, which Davis was involved in. Herring and Fuger were joined on the committee by Geraldine Shikora, Joanne DiCroce and their families.
"I think that the East Meadow community went above and beyond, showing their kindness and generosity to support a fellow friend and neighbor," said Shikora, who knows the Davis family well. "If you reflect back on the event and the very famous statement that it takes a village to raise a child, I think that we have seen that the East Meadow community understands what it means."
Walter Kakareko was the master of ceremonies, and Jo Targove lent his sound system for the fundraiser. Food was donated by Uncle Giuseppe's Market Place, A Taste of Home Bakery, Tina & Tony's Spumante, La Novella Ristorante, Elisa's Restaurant, Borrelli's, Pietro's and Panera Bread. South of the Border Restaurant and Lucia's nail salon contributed gift baskets.
The New York Organ Donor Network sent a volunteer, Vito Losito, who is also a recipient of a liver transplant. He stocked an information table and gave out supplies such as pens, jar openers and bumper stickers. Members of Cadette Troop 1218 created a banner honoring the local businesses that made contributions to the event. Members of Boy Scout Troop 362 helped set up, served as gift runners and cleaned up. Thomas Cassella and William Rypl ran the kitchen, and Steve Haller of Minuteman Press in Levittown provided free printed materials.
Davis's compan name, JFT, stood for Just for Today, and he would have enjoyed being honored, Herring said. "He was the type of person who would never complain," she said. "His motto and philosophy was 'live just for today.'
"Ed was a nice, nice man - never said a bad thing about anyone," she added. "He was very philosophical and a gentle spirit."
Comments about this story? MCaputo@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 287.
