In Uniondale, more than 40 students spent Martin Luther King Jr. Day assembling sandwiches for neighbors in need, transforming a school holiday into a morning of service at the Uniondale Fire Department’s Van Ness firehouse.
The initiative — part of the nationwide MLK Day of Service — was organized by New York Life Foundation volunteers in partnership with the Uniondale School District and the fire department. Together, they made and packaged 397 sandwiches, which were delivered to the Mary Brennan INN in Hempstead, a nonprofit that provides food and shelter to those experiencing homelessness.
“This was my first year serving as a captain for the Day of Service, and the turnout was great,” said Nickeisha Frazer, a New York Life agent and Uniondale resident. “Everything flowed smoothly, and it showed what can happen when corporations, schools and the community work together.”
Students from Uniondale — including members of My Brother’s Keeper, Key Club and the National Honor Society — worked alongside teachers, advisors and corporate volunteers to prepare turkey-and-cheese, ham-and-cheese and cheese sandwiches, complete with condiments.
Frazer said food insecurity was chosen as the focus because many families are struggling with rising costs, housing insecurity and inflation.
“There are people who may have a job, but because of inflation, they’re pretty much paycheck to paycheck,” she said. “We know there are individuals who are barely making ends meet.”
She added that many students want to help but may not know where to begin — and this project offered a meaningful entry point. “Unity — how much we could accomplish by working together. That’s one of the biggest lessons of that day,” Frazer said.
New York Life, she explained, is not only a for-profit company, but one that actively invests in service initiatives. Through its Volunteers for Good program and the New York Life Foundation, the organization contributed $32.5 million nationally in 2024. Frazer chose Uniondale because it’s where she lives and works in Nassau County.
“We’re always looking for opportunities to serve as volunteers — not just doing business, but giving back,” she said.
A firehouse of support
The Van Ness firehouse — home to Uniondale’s emergency rescue and EMS squads — includes a large event hall and certified kitchen that made it ideal for the food prep effort. Fire commissioners and members supported the event by welcoming volunteers, offering building tours and explaining the department’s broader community role.
“We were happy to make the facility available,” said Fire Commissioner Noel Thomas. “Seeing that many students show up to help their neighbors was impressive. It says a lot about their leadership, their parents and their teachers.”
Fire Department Captain Avril Ashley added: “To see students give up part of their day off to serve their community was really rewarding.”
Advisors Allison Chaplin and Colin Ross, who work with the school district, were on site working alongside the students. Ross also serves as the advisor for the district’s My Brother’s Keeper program.
Uniondale Superintendent Monique Darrisaw-Akil was credited by organizers for encouraging student participation and championing community service.
“We showed the students what it means to commit to a cause and work together,” Frazer said. “I know Dr. King would be proud that young people were getting involved in social issues like homelessness and hunger — and doing it in their own communities.”
