March 6, 2024 Copiague

National Grid Foundation Milestone $500,000 Grant Keeps Long Islanders Safe And Warm

In a landmark moment marking the 25th anniversary of National Grid Foundation, United Way of Long Island announced and celebrated the foundation's extraordinary commitment to setting a new standard for philanthropic contributions.

According to United Way’s latest ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Report, there are more than 285,179 hardworking Long Islanders struggling to afford life’s basic needs. One out of three families don't earn enough to make ends meet or heat their homes during the bitter winter months.

As Long Island’s only non-governmental, islandwide emergency fuel fund, Project Warmth provides a one-time grant for oil, gas, and fuel-related electric. Payments are made directly to oil and

GRID FOUNDATION MILESTONE $500,000 GRANT - (L-R:

utility companies on behalf of eligible residents who are struggling financially and have exhausted other options. For the thousands of families United Way

helps each year, assistance with an oil delivery or utility arrears means they have room in their budgets to cover essentials like food or medication.

Long Islanders seeking help to keep the heat on in their homes were bundled in winter coats and hats to apply for assistance during United Way of Long Island’s

“A Day of Warm Hearts & Warm Homes” at the offices of their community partner agency, the Wyandanch Village. Eligible applicants included residents who

are behind in their utility payments, have a low or empty oil tank, received a disconnection notice,

Continued On 13

NATIONAL

Gary Zanazzi, Swezey Fuel; Ed Gomez, PETRO; Cliff Hochhauser, Carbo Industries; Craig Fligstein, United Way of Long Island; National Grid transport driver; Darryl Clark, Wallace Eannace Associates, Inc.; Councilman Anthony Manetta, Town of Babylon; Brian Sapp, National Grid; Gladys Martinez, Project Warmth Recipient; Theresa Regnante, United Way of Long Island, Christine Berardi, National Grid Foundation; Aaron Choo, National Grid; Lynda Nicolino, Bethpage Federal Credit Union; David Lyons, PSEG; Legislator Jason Richberg, Suffolk County; Jerome Bost, IBEW Local 1049; Magdalonie Paris-Campbell, AT&T Services Inc.; Melanie DiPalma, representing NYS Senator Monica Martinez; Wendy Frigeria, National Grid; Tom Magno, Northville industries.)

March Happenings

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6

6:00PM-7:30PM

PARENTING A SECOND TIME AROUND

An 8 week program for grandparents or other caregivers being held at Sunshine Prevention Center in Port Jefferson Station. This workshop will consist of discipline and guidance, care for oneself as caregiver, rebuilding a family, living with teens, legal issues and advocacy. Babysitting is provided as needed but MUST pre-register. No Fees. For more info call 631-476-3099.

SATURDAY, MARCH 9

9:00AM-4:00PM

THE NEW SEAFORD GUN SHOW

Held at the Seaford American Legion on Saturday the 9th and Sunday the 10th (9AM-3PM). Admission is $10, kids under 12 are free with a parent or guardian. For further information, please call 516-221-7380.

4:30PM-7:30PM

ST. PATRICK'S DAY DINNER

The First Presbyterian Church of Greenlawn is hosting a St. Patrick's Day Dinner. It's $30 per person and includes a corned beef and cabbage dinner with potatoes, carrots, irish soda bread, beverages, coffee and dessert. The Mulvahill-Lynch School Irish Dancers will be performing. Call Priscilla to reserve your seat and arrange pre-payment. RSVP by March 1st. Call 631-379-4889 for more information.

SUNDAY, MARCH 10

10:00AM-5:00PM

WELLNESS EXPO

Held at the Holiday Inn in Holtsville. Free admission. Free raffles, 14 psychics, 35 wellness vendors and healers, 15 minute psychic readings for

Make a submission! Events must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event date and will run free of charge on a space available basis. For more info, call 631.226.2636 x211 or send events to natalieraccuglia@longislandmediagroup.com.

$40. Cash preferred. For more info call Diane 516-639-6903.

11:00AM-5:00PM

BLOOD DRIVE

Hosted by East Islip High School student, Brandon Rizzuto and New York Blood Center and will be held at the Bay Shore mall. Student donors will receive 3 hours of community service. Donors are eligible to win a $150 gift card raffle. For more information, call Dana at 631-766-3501.

THURSDAY, MARCH 14

9:00AM-4:30PM

ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE RESOURCE CENTER EDUCATION CONFERENCE

Join an interactive panel of family caregivers who will discuss the challenges and rewards of caregiving, what they have learned, and what they wish they knew at the beginning. During a Q &A, they will talk with listeners and address questions from the audience. For more information call 631-580-5100 or vsiit their website at www.adrcinc.org/ec2024.

SATURDAY, MARCH 16

11:30AM-1:00PM

BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY

Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Lindenhurst is hosting a bereavement ministry group that will continue until May 18th on Saturdays. Registration is required. If interested please call Linda Arpino at 631-592-1062 or email forubabe77@aol.com.

SUNDAY, MARCH 17

2:00PM

JOURNEY–CROSS & CRUCIFIXION

Creative Ministries presents Journey–Cross & Crucifixion. Presented at Saints Cyril & Methodius in Deer Park. For more information visit their website

at www.CMPAC.com or call them at 631-218-2810.

TUESDAY, MARCH 19

8:30AM

BUS TRIP TO WIND CREEK BETHLEHEM

The Joseph Barry Columbiettes, the auxiliary for the Knights of Columbus, is sponsoring a bus trip to Wind Creek Casino in Bethlehem, PA. $55 per person, which includes the driver’s tip. For reservations, please call Barbara at 516-935-5576. Make checks payable to Joseph Barry Columbiettes.

SATURDAY, MARCH 23

9:30AM

BEREAVEMENT GROUP

A new bereavement group is now forming at Our Lady of Grace Church in West Babylon beginning on March 23 and will end on May 18 on Saturdays. For more information call John Laszewski at 631-874-0210 or Fran Kish at 631-587-1578.

7:30PM

BABYLON CHORALE CONCERT

The Babylon Chorale presents: Handel`s `Messiah` Parts II and III With professional soloists and orchestra. Held at St. Peter’s By-TheSea Episcopal Church in Bay Shore. To purchase tickets online or for more info, visit www.babylonchorale.org or email info@babylonchorale.org.

MONDAY, MARCH 25

7:30PM

BABYLON CHORALE AUDITIONS

The Babylon Chorale will hold auditions on March 25th and April 1st at Sisters of St. Joseph Brentwood Campus. Email info@babylonchorale.org for more information.

Mercy Soup Kitchen Seeking Volunteers

It

the Mercy Soup Kitchen of Wyandanch as it is preparing to launch its new and expanded post Covid operation.

Located in the basement of Trinity Lutheran Church at 17 South 20th Street, the Kitchen served its first meal to hungry people in 1980 and currently serves an average of 108 people per day.

During the pandemic, however, Kitchen procedures had to be modified in order to provide hot, nourishing meals safely and continuously to those in need. Indoor sit-down dining was discontinued and only take-out dining was available.

But today the Kitchen is posing for a postCovid reopening – a reorganizational rebirth of sorts – where Kitchen procedures can finally return to again offering guests dignified, indoor sit-down dining.

The Kitchen relies heavily on its generous volunteer support and, as such, numerous on-site and offsite volunteer opportunities are now available.

While there are openings for on-site positions, such as helping to prepare and serve meals and to perform various maintenance functions, there are also openings for diverse off-site positions in areas such as finance, grant development and preparation, legal compliance assurance, marketing duties, social media facilitation and fund raising/donation coordination.

Only with the efforts of its volunteers can the Kitchen succeed in its mission to provide food security to those in need. Please consider sharing some of your time and talents with the Kitchen to make this happen. We invite you to join our team.

For further information, contact Vito Colletti at 631358-9917 or vcolletti@ optonline.net

NYS Breast Cancer Survivors Sought For

Hotline

The Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program is seeking breast cancer survivors, both women and men, throughout New York State to train as volunteers for the hotline.

The ZOOM training, each session from 10 am to 1 pm, is being held on four consecutive Mondays beginning March 11 (then March 18, March 25 and April 1). Volunteers are asked to commit to all four

sessions.

The hotline was established in 1980 by women who had been in a support group and wanted to help others. Today it is the oldest breast cancer hotline in the country. Says Lori F, a hotline volunteer since 2022, “It is an indescribable feeling to give hope to someone who feels hopeless.”

Volunteer will receive on-line training in the following areas: community

outreach, educational presentations, hotline, speaking engagements, publicity, and fundraising.

For more information and to set up an initial interview, contact social worker Nina Foley at 516-877-4315 or email at nfoley@adelphi.edu.

Information about the hotline and support program can be found on-line at breastcanceradelphi.edu.

Legislator Donnelly And County Office For The Aging Announce Babylon Winter Senior Advocate

Schedule

Suffolk Legislator Tom Donnelly (D-Deer Park) is pleased to inform Babylon residents about the local Suffolk County Office for the Aging Winter 2024 Senior Advocate Schedule. Senior advocates are County representatives who come out into the community and assist seniors with information gathering, completion of eligibility or recertification applications and referrals to appropriate community agencies.

“This is an excellent chance for senior citizens to get the assistance and information they need by connecting with the County’s senior advocates right in their own communities,” said Legislator Donnelly. “I hope all those interested in the services that the Suffolk County Office for the Aging provides will take advantage of this opportunity.”

Senior Advocates will be visiting the following locations in the Town of

Babylon:

• Deer Park Library, 44 Lake Avenue, Deer Park: Friday, March 15, 9 – 11 am

• North Amityville Nutrition Center, 48-C Cedar Road, Amityville: Wednesday, March 20, 10 am – 1 pm

• Rainbow Center, 293 Buffalo Avenue, Lindenhurst: Wednesday, March 6, 8:30 – 11:00 am

• Tanner Park Senior Nutrition, 2 Tanner Park, Copiague: Wednesday, March 13, 8:30 am – 1 pm

• Spangle Drive Center, 4385 Spangle Drive, North Babylon: Tuesday, March 19, 12 –3:30 pm

• West Babylon Library, 211 Route 109, West Babylon: Thursday, March 28, 10 am – 12 pm

• Wyandanch Senior Nutrition, 28 Wyandanch Avenue, Wyandanch: Monday, & March 6, 8:30 am – 1 pm

Advocates assist with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP –formerly known as food stamps), Medicare Savings Program and Heating Emergency Assistance Program (HEAP) applications. They also can provide information on Medicare, answer questions and make recommendations and referrals. For more information about available services or directions to any of these locations, please call the Suffolk County Office for the Aging at (631) 8538200.

“For more than three decades, the Suffolk County Office for the Aging has been providing full and troublefree access to critical services,” Donnelly said. “I am glad to see their great professional community outreach program continue and hope that every senior resident will make full use of it.”

Handyman,

Carpenter/Contract

Flat TV s Mounted/ All Wires Hidde n

Cable Modem

Phone JacksInstalled / Repaired

Cable TV Extensions

Telephone Jacks & Computer Wiring Installed & Serviced

Camera Systems Installed

Surr ound Sound / Sound Bars

Commercial & Resident ial Repairs

Star Link Satellite visit websit e davewireman.com

CALL DAVE

516- 433- 9473

516 667 9483

516 353-1118(text)

Painted. $3000 All Included ASAP Non Smokin g. Contact Advantage + Real Estate (631)957-00 96

LINDE NHURST – Two bedrooms, one full ba th Living Room, private entranc e. Str eet Pa rk ing, ya rd us e. No smoki ng, no pets. $1750+ Call Advan tage Plus Real Estate (631) 957-0096 .

MASS APEQUA – Beautiful three bedroom Ranch/Full house rental Living Room w/Fireplace, full bathroom, Eat In Kitchen,

National Grid Foundation Milestone $500,000 Grant

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and/or demonstrate financial hardship.

NORTH

WE

Call The Classifieds 631-226-2636 Pres s 2

THINKING ABOUT ADVERTISING YOUR BUSINESS and not sure how to get started? Call today and one of our experienced Sa les Representatives will assist you. We c an help you with a lin e ad or a di splay ad. Let us at SOUTH BAY'S NEIGHBOR NEWS PAPE RS set up an adv ertising program for you. Y ou'll be glad you di d! Call 631-226-2636, ext. 276

THINKING ABOUT ADVERTISING YOUR BUSINESS and not sure how to get started? Call today and one of our experi enced Sa les Representatives will assist you. We c an help you with a lin e ad or a di splay ad. Let us at

RS set up an adv ertising program for you. Y ou'll be glad you di d! Call 631-226-2636, Ext. 276

Copiague Memorial Public Library

50 Deauville Boulevard, Copiague, New York 11726

Tel 631-691-1111 Fax 631-691-5098

Baby Shower Donations

Be part of helping new parents start strong!

The Copiague Library will be taking donations of NEW items for our Community Baby Shower to be held on May 25. Items such as bottles, pacifiers, onesies, swaddle blankets, pajamas and diapers will be accepted.

Trex Recycling Challenge

The Copiague community recycled over 1700 pounds of plastic in 2023, as part of the Library’s Trex Recycling Drive! Help us reach our goal of at least 1000 pounds recycled in 2024 and you could win a Trex

bench! Stop by the Library with your clean plastic bags, film or packaging and enter our Trex bench raffle. Donate all year to keep plastic out of our landfills and waterways, and increase your chances of winning! Go to copiaguelibrary. org to find out more information and to track our progress.

Solar Eclipse Glasses

A total solar eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8, and the northeastern United States will have some of the best views! The Library has some great eclipse programming scheduled, and you can also stop down and pick up solar eclipse glasses

for safe viewing of this spectacular event!

Earth DayGarden Passport

Pick up an Earth Day - Garden Passport at the Information Desk. After each Earth Day or Gardening program you attend at the Library, stop by the Information Desk to receive a stamp for your passport. Attend three programs by May 25 and drop off your passport to enter to win a fabulous garden basket.

Seed LibraryBeginning Monday, March 25

The seed library is back! Please feel free to take 5 packets of our organic, non-GMO

vegetable and flower seeds to plant in your garden this year. Stop by the Information Desk to check out your seed packets.

Afternoon Games

Fridays, March 8, 15, 22, 29

12:30 - 3:30 PM

Come with your group to play any game of your choice. Registration is necessary.

Are you a Veteran?

Unsure of what benefits you are entitled to? Need information on any benefits? Then come to the Library and see an Outreach Specialist from the Nassau Veterans Center. Registration is necessary.

"This contribution helps celebrate the Foundation's 25 years of service in our communities and highlights our core principle: Giving people the tools they need to build hope is an essential ingredient in the development of individuals, families and building stronger communities," said Eileen Cohen, Chair, National Grid Foundation. Cohen continued, "We have a long history of serving as a community partner, understand the critical need in our communities, and want our neighbors to know we are here for them. We are so grateful to organizations like United Way of Long Island as they help deliver so many muchneeded services during these trying economic times."

Long Islanders like Gladys of Brentwood received a one-time grant to help pay for her home heating costs. Gladys, 53, is a mother of four and home health care aide who lost her job. When the house

burned and the fire damage restoration costs were too high, the family moved into a trailer. Two of her children are still in school and one of her sons is enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp. Gladys fell far behind in her energy bills and couldn’t receive the assistance she needed. Thankfully, Project Warmth was there to help.

“Because of National Grid Foundation, I was able to pay my gas and electric bills and now have peace of mind,” said Gladys Martinez, a Project Warmth grant recipient. “The emergency assistance has gotten me through a very difficult time in my life and allowed me to keep a roof over my family’s heads this winter.”

“The National Grid Foundation has not only reached a significant milestone in its own journey but will also help us keep over 1,000 families safe and warm,” said Theresa A. Regnante, President & CEO, United Way of Long Island. “The foundation's visionary approach to philanthropy continues to inspire and set a precedent for

others to follow.”

Since 1994, Project Warmth has provided more than $13 million to assist over 31,000 families. It is one of the country’s oldest non-government fuel funds, serving as a model across the United States. Project Warmth is available during the winter months and remains open until the funds are exhausted.

Project Warmth works with 18 local agencies and more than 90 parish outreach centers that provide intake and case management services. The case management process ensures needed services are provided to the client to resolve existing problems and reduce the need for future assistance. The process is so successful that 80% of previous years clients did not request further assistance.

Assistance is available through United Way’s 211 call center 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by dialing 2-1-1, or outside Nassau and Suffolk Counties 1-888-774-7633; text 898-211; visit 211li. org; unitedwayli.org/ projectwarmth

St., Central Islip

S. 29th St., Wyandanch

Waco St., Lindenhurst

Frederick Ave., Merrick

White St., N. Babylon

Riviera Pkwy., Lindenhurst

W. 3rd St., Deer Park

Heathcote Rd., Lindenhurst

Clocks Blvd., Massapequa

Beachview St., Copiague

Washington Blvd., N. Bellmore

N. Broome Ave., Lindenhurst

Dakota St., Ronkonkoma

Connecticut Ave., Massapequa

S. 19th St, Wyandanch

West Ct., West Islip

Bellmore Ave., Bellmore

E. Lido Prom., Lindenhurst

Merrick Rd., Massapequa

Townhouse Vlg. Dr., Hauppauge

S. 8th St., Lindenhurst

Huron St., Port Jefferson

West End Ave., Freeport Clove Ct., Seaford

Willetts Ln., West Islip

Centre Ave., Lindenhurst

Linton Ave., Lindenhurst

W. Riviera, Lindenhurst

S. 15th St., Lindenhurst

Fulton St., Deer Park

Jamaica Ave., Wyandanch

Granada Pkwy., Lindenhurst

N. Indiana Ave., Lindenhurst

E. Montauk Hwy., Lindenhurst

N. Jefferson Ave., Lindenhurst

289 33rd St, Lindenhurst

170 Schley Ave, Lindenhurst

136 Daniel St, Lindenhurst

W. Minerva Rd., Lindenhurst

Great Neck Rd., Amityville

NEWTOMARKET

PSEG Long Island Employees Make Donation

Power Lines, Wildlife And The Environment

PSEG Long Island employees recently donated $1,000 to Merrick-based Balloon Mission, Inc. a notfor-profit organization that collects discarded balloons in an effort to protect wildlife and the environment.

Balloon safety is important to PSEG Long Island because metallic balloons can be hazardous to overhead electric lines – potentially causing fires and power outages, and also because of the negative effects released balloons can have on the ecosystem.

The donation was made through three of the company’s employee business resource groups (EBRG): GREEN, which is comprised of employeeadvocates of clean energy alternatives, LI Environmental Guardians, which supports local efforts to help preserve the earth, and the Able EBRG, which champions community

organizations that help people with disabilities.

The Association for Children with Down Syndrome (ACDS), which serves families of children and adults with disabilities, has been involved with Balloon Mission’s work. Adults receiving services from ACDS help Balloon Mission by collecting deflated balloons from various balloon drop box locations. The group then practices life skills by sorting and counting the balloons before they are safely and properly discarded.

Balloon Mission will use the PSEG Long Island donation to educate the public through community outreach and balloon collection programs, and by erecting informational signage at area parks and beaches about the dangers of balloon releases.

"We're so grateful for our partnership with PSEG

Long Island,” said Cynthia Seibold, founder and executive director of Balloon Mission, Inc. “This donation will help fund our recycling and education programs that raise awareness about the unintended harm balloons have when they're accidentally or purposely let go in the sky. We're pioneering a balloon collection program so people can responsibly enjoy balloons. Once the fun is done, they pop-n-drop balloons in our bins knowing they're keeping animals and the environment safe, while reducing the risk of fires and power outages."

“We are supporting this wonderful organization that is raising awareness about the potential dangers balloons can have on our environment,” said Anna Keselman, co-president of the PSEG Long Island GREEN EBRG. “We are inspired by Cynthia’s

enthusiasm and her organization’s mission to protect turtles, sea life and our lands.”

PSEG Long Island reminds the public that balloons released into the air can become entangled in

overhead electric equipment and cause a host of problems. Metallic balloons conduct electricity and resting on an electric line or other electrical equipment could lead to power outages, fire and, possibly, injuries.

Balloons caught on electrical equipment should be reported to PSEG Long Island at 800-490-0075 so a specially trained crew can safely address the issue.

PSEG LONG ISLAND EMPLOYEES MAKE DONATION - Pictured (l-r) behind balloon collection bin are: Cynthia Seibold, of Balloon Mission, Inc. and Michael Voltz, Anna Keselman, Gabriella Scibelli, Saqib Mandi, and Ronan Murphy, representing PSEG Long Island’s GREEN employee business resource group.