By Brian Zanzonico
So when Hurricane Katrina tore through the Gulf Coast last week, Bogdos was spurred to action. He placed a collection jar next to the cash register at the Silver Star, at 813 Hempstead Turnpike, with all proceeds earmarked for the American Red Cross.
"They've lost everything," Bogdos said. "Besides their house, their belongings are all gone. They can use any help we can give them."
Bogdos, who has owned the Silver Star for 12 years, immigrated to the U.S. from the Greek island of Corfu in 1966 and earned $1.10 an hour as a machinist. But he worked long hours and saved, and four years later he bought a luncheonette on Fifth Avenue and 46th Street in Manhattan. He has owned businesses ever since.
"This country has given me so much that I always said if I could, I would give something back," Bogdos said, noting that he will give 25 cents for every dollar donated. He is dedicating the effort to his late wife, Barbara, who died shortly before 9/11. Her photo hangs above the counter. "I do this in her memory," he said.
The "semiretired" Bogdos is helped out at Silver Star by son Philip and daughter Christina. Their presence has allowed him time to travel, and he had a trip planned last February to New Orleans, but had to cancel at the last minute. "Now I don't know when I'll be able to go," he said.
Bogdos said he hopes this tragedy will receive the same outpouring of support as his 9/11 fund-raiser, when it was not uncommon to find $50 bills in the collection jar. "You've got to help," he said. "Those people are in desperate need. There's no food, no clothing, no drink. They need help now."
Local churches raise money
Churches in Franklin Square and Elmont are doing their part to assist the thousands of people left homeless by Hurricane Katrina. The 133 churches that comprise the Diocese of Rockville Centre took up special collections last weekend for Catholic Charities USA. St. Boniface and St. Vincent dePaul churches in Elmont and St. Catherine of Sienna in Franklin Square were scheduled to take separate collections at Mass.
Ascension Lutheran Church of Franklin Square is collecting donations at services for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and Bethel Assembly of God Church in Franklin Square is taking up collections for the Convoy of Hope, a nonprofit that trucks food and water to disaster areas.
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