By Scott Brinton and Laura Lane
Mueller is quiet about all the charity work she does, but she does an incredible amount of good for this community -- and many other communities. That's why we'd like to toot her horn a little and name her our Person of the Year for 2005.
For starters, when Hurricane Katrina struck in September, Mueller and RS Jones partner Carol Olkoski knew immediately that they and their restaurant had to help. On the TV news, the two learned about a youth organization called Do Something, which was collecting backpacks for children whom Katrina had displaced. Do Something listed RS Jones on its Web site as a backpack collection center.
For weeks, RS Jones accepted donation after donation, until the pile of backpacks reached 4,000. Mueller had to hire a tractor-trailer to ship all of the backpacks down South.
Given Mueller's long history of giving back to the community, it wasn't surprising that she undertook such a massive relief effort. Eleven years ago, one of her employees, Robert Purick, died the day after Thanksgiving while at college. Now, every year, Mueller hosts a brunch in his honor at RS Jones, donating all of the food and drinks. The proceeds go to a Calhoun High School scholarship fund in Robert's honor.
Additionally, Robert's mother, Connie, hosts a tree-lighting ceremony each year in Purick Park next to RS Jones, at Merrick and Loines avenues. RS Jones provides the hot chocolate, and folks gather to sing Christmas carols and dedicate the tree. This year, members of the Purick family didn't want to hold the ceremony because last year's ceremony, on the 10th anniversary of Robert's death, was so big.
Mueller would not hear of it. Connie Purick said, "I saw Margaret the other day, and she asked what happened with the tree-lighting ceremony this year? When I told her, she dropped everything, got some lights and the two of us decorated the tree together. She's the best. She's a wonderful person who always is ready to help anyone at any time."
Each year, Mueller collects toys for Little Flower Children Services in Wading River. It's an orphanage that is home to 100 children. The center also provides services for 3,000 children in foster care. At the holidays, she bundles up all the toys and drives them herself to Little Flower. If people don't hand them in on time, it's no matter. Mueller continues accepting any and all gifts, and distributes them at Little Flower as birthday presents.
She is also active in the Merrick Chamber of Commerce, serving as the group's vice president. This year she was chairwoman of the Merrick Fall Festival, which attracted more than 10,000 people to downtown Merrick and raised money for the beautiful lighted snowflakes that adorn Merrick's thoroughfares. Being in charge of such a huge event took Mueller away from her business -- on a weekend when RS Jones is hopping -- but she did it because she cares.
Sal Vassallo, the chamber's outgoing president, said, "Margaret Mueller is one of the great people you meet in life who gives back to everyone. Can't isn't part of her vocabulary."
RS Jones opened in 1993, inspired by Mueller's and Olkoski's love of country music and their desire to create a restaurant where people could find great Mexican, Cajun and Texan food. And, oh, is the food great. For three straight years, the eatery won first place for barbecue in the annual Long Island Zagat Survey.
Mueller, who grew up in Merrick, now makes her home in Freeport. Clearly, grace and generosity are her hallmarks. And for all that she does for us in Merrick, we honor her as our Person of the Year. Thank you, Margaret Mueller.
Comments about this story? SBrinton@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 203.
