Friday, April 14, 2017
Vol. 77, No. 15
RAISING FUNDS FOR SYRIA
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North Side School donates to family in need BY GARY SIMEONE When North Side Elementary School Principal, Frank Mortillaro, found out about one of his student’s parents suffering a medical emergency two weeks ago, he wanted to do something to help out the family. The school donated $200 from its family in need fund to the family of seven year old Julia Furnell, a second grader at the school. “A member of her family needed something and we helped them out,” said Mortillaro. “Whether it’s a staff member or one of our students. We consider them to be part of out family.” Julia’s mother, 33 year old Cindy Furnell, collapsed to the floor of a Hicksville gym after suffering a heart attack and later a stroke. The ambulance came and she was transported to Winthrop university hospital. According to Julia’s father, Joshua, her mother has since been See page 11
The Hicksville High School Muslim Cultural Association (MCA) raised $1,147 for volunteer organization White Helmets, which operates in parts of Syria. Hicksville High School’s Muslim Cultural Association and staff with the check they will be presenting to volunteer organization White Helmets. The MCA ids dedicated to educating students and staff about different cultures.
Photos courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools.
Heroin overdose prevention seminar Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano is continuing to combat the heroin epidemic and save lives by hosting a free Overdose Prevention Seminar on Wednesday April 12, from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. at the Hicksville Fire Department, located at 20 East Marie St. “This free Heroin Overdose Prevention Seminar is just one part of my administration’s four-pronged approach
to fighting this public health crisis – including education, awareness, enforcement and treatment,” said County Executive Mangano. “These trainings prevent drug-related deaths in our community, save residents lives and keep families whole.” Residents will be trained to administer Naloxone - the lifesaving antidote to a heroin overdose – and learn the warning signs of drug addic-
tion, new and effective treatment options, personal stories of recovery, and more. Approximately 210 Nassau residents died from heroin and prescription painkillers in 2015. Hundreds more were saved from overdoses by those trained to administer Naloxone. Naloxone has been used by paramedics and emergency room doctors for decades, See page 11
Children’s foundation in dire need of funds BY GARY SIMEONE
A children’s Cancer and family center in Wantagh has been part of the community for 11 years and is in danger of closing because of lack of funding. The John Theissen’s Children Foundation, which hosts birthday parties for sick children has recently opened a go fund me page and is looking for financial help from members of the community to keep its doors open. John Theissen said he first got involved with helping sick children in 1992 by starting a holiday toy drive in the community to benefit children in local hospitals. “I became inspired to do this after being diagnosed with a brain tumor myself when I was a Senior in high school,” said Theissen. “I had my surgery at Cohen’s children’s hospital in 1988 and I was traumatized at the time at the amount of sick kids on the med floor.” He said that toy drive got so big that he decided to open the family fun center in 2006 so kids could have a bigger venue to celebrate their parties. The 2,000 square foot center, located at 1881 Wantagh Avenue, usually hosts 60 to 70 birthday parties a year. The space has an See page 11
Levittown honors community volunteers PAGE 8 MacArthur thespians present play PAGE 12