November 16, 2022 Seaford

NYS Licensed Real Estate Salesperson Mobile: 516-380-7422 Office: 516-798-4200 E-mail: ahaus54@aol.com www.anapolitano.com

SEAFORD FOOTBALL HOSTS

- The Seaford Vikings varsity football team held

for Island Harvest during the last regular season home game on Oct. 28 in partnership

opponents, the Clarke Rams. Photo courtesy of the Seaford School District

The U.S. Environ-mental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) WaterSense program is encouraging home-owners to find and fix leaks to save more than 10 percent on utility bills now and help save water for future generations. For more information and tips about how to save water, visit www.epa.gov/water sense.

Helping You Help Others

By Noelle Lambert

The Charity of the Month for November is Association for Mental Health and Wellness

As home to 72,000 military veterans, Suffolk County has more veterans than any of the other 61 counties in New York State. With Veterans Day occurring in November, this month is a fitting time to recognize local organizations that serve the veterans community, such as our Charity of the Month, the Association for Mental Health and Wellness (MHAW).

MHAW offers a wide spectrum of assistance to Suffolk County veterans in respect to affordable housing, medical and mental health assistance, peer support, and other services. This column focuses on MHAW’s permanent housing for veterans with support services.

In October of 2021, MHAW celebrated the opening of three new homes, adding to their capacity to offer permanent residences for formerly homeless veterans. The three houses became available through Suffolk County’s “Housing Our Homeless Heroes Act” where abandoned properties are transferred to non-profit organizations that serve at-risk and homeless veterans. The initiative is funded through New York State’s Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance’s “Homeless Housing and Assistance Program.”

Ashanta Murray, a Navy veteran of eight years with three young children, is now living in one of the homes. “I was so proud to serve in the Navy – and to come home and try to find housing was such a struggle,” Ms. Murray said. “To serve your country and come home to face homelessness should never happen. This home for me and my children has been such a blessing.”

Aside from a new home, veterans receive such support services as employment and training opportunities, counseling, peer support, independent living skills training, linkage to primary healthcare, substance use disorder treatment, mental healthcare, childcare and other benefits.

The goal of this kind of permanent housing and support services is to prevent

chronic illness, promote a healthy and safe environment, promote wellbeing, prevent mental health and substance use disorders and

to help veterans continue to live in their communities in a manner consistent with their abilities and goals. MHAW aims to purchase and rehab additional homes in the future.

“We owe our veterans deep gratitude and must ensure that they have the opportunity to thrive,” said Colleen Merlo, CEO of MHAW. “They cannot do that without safe and consistent housing. It is an honor to be part of this program.”

For several years, MHAW focused its attention on offering temporary housing for homeless veterans at a shelter in Yaphank. Through the efforts of MHAW along with community and government partners, Long Island has made significant strides in addressing homelessness among veterans in recent years. “We have reached a point where when a veteran is homeless, they do not remain homeless for very long,” said Ms. Merlo. “We are proud to have helped to support this trend through our affordable and permanent housing work as well as our focus on employment opportunities and support services to veterans and their families.”

If you are a veteran that is interested in MHAW’s services, please contact Marcelle Leis, the Director of Veteran Services, at 631-946-0147, or by email at mleis@mhaw. org.

Seeking New Members

Giovanni Caboto Lodge, Order Sons and Daughters in America - Seeking new members to join our Lodge. We are dedicated to promoting the Italian culture, heritage, language

and legacy of our ancestors. We hold various programs, events, charitable giving, award local scholarships, and much more. We meet on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7:30pm,

Seaford American Legion, 2301 Penatiquit Avenue, Seaford. Please contact Linda at 516-783-2667 for any additional information.

Model Train Show

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Town Clerk Richard LaMarca today announced that Trainville Hobby Depot will host a Model Train Show on Saturday, November 19th and Sunday, November 20th from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Hicksville Community Center, located at 28 West Carl Street in Hicksville. The Model Train Show includes operating model layouts coordinated by Trainville Hobby Depot. Donations are being accepted at the exhibit to support the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum.

“We are pleased to partner with Trainville Hobby Depot, who coordinates

or participates in many hobby shows that benefit the fundraising efforts of a sponsoring organization,” said Town Clerk LaMarca. “Assisting groups that not only bring a fun and educational experience to residents of all ages, but also help preserve our history in

understanding the railroad’s role in our heritage, is a great cause.”

Admission in to the exhibit is $5.00, children ages 4-11 years are $3.00 and entry for children under the age of 4 is free. For further information, please visit www.trainville. com or call (516) 433-4444.

Saturday & Sunday, November 19th & 20th, and December 3rd & 4th, from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Open to the general public and community. Admission is free! Raffled Prizes, 50/50, and more!

Come see the recent

upgrades and ongoing changes to the layout!

There’s also a “LIONEL” INTERACTIVE ANIMATION layout for the children as well.

Contact Info: centraloperatinglines@ gmail.com or please call (631) 563-0173.

Website: www.coltrains. com

Central Operating Lines Ltd. is located at 50-A Carlough Rd. in Bohemia, NY 11716

Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube.

Families Anonymous Virtual Meetings

12-Step support group giving Hope & Strength to parents, family and friends concerned with a loved one’s destructive behavior caused by

Alcohol, Drugs or Related Behavioral Problems is now meeting virtually until further notice. For further information e-mail or

call: Donna526@aol.com or (631) 589.3790; Diane (631) 587.0966, www. FamiliesAnonymous.org

Call 631-226-2636, ext. 276

Largest ‘Cruise-Thru’ Toys For Tots Collection Drive Coming To Long Island

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Councilman Tom Hand announced that the Town’s massive ‘Cruise-Thru’ Toys for Tots Collection Drive will take place at John Burns Park in Massapequa on Saturday, December 3rd from 9am to 2pm (rain date is Sunday, December 4th). In partnership with the United States Marine Corps and Optimum, the Town is collecting toys to help families and those less fortunate throughout the community during the upcoming holiday season. In addition to the ‘CruiseThru’, collection boxes are located at Town facilities through December 14th.

Clothing Donations Needed For Long Island Children

Ethical Friends of Children, a program helping needy families on Long Island, seeks clothing (tops, bottoms, pjs, sweaters and socks) in certain sizes. Specific sizes are: GIRLS: 3-4, 4-5 and 9-10 and BOYS: 7-8 and 9-10.

Ethical Friends of Children is an outreach program of the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island., established in 1985. “We assist more than 2,500 children and their families each year by providing them clothing for children from newborn to size 12 as well as infant furniture at no cost,” says Pat Spencer of Port Washington. The “store” – staffed entirely by volunteers – lets families pick out the things they need, at no cost to them.

Those interested in making contributions of clothing or gift cards, should call Ethical Friends of Children at 516280-5526 or email efoc@ehsli. org

Supervisor Saladino said, “The Toys for Tots Drive has long been a huge success under the leadership of the U.S. Marine Corps, especially here in the Town of Oyster Bay, as just last year we collected over 20,000 toys for Long Island children. I encourage all of our residents who are able to donate to this amazing cause, as the Toys for Tots Drive helps ensure that disadvantaged children within our community do not have to go the holiday season without something to bring them happiness.”

The ‘Cruise Thru Holiday Toy Drive’ will provide residents an excellent way to contribute directly to the cause and help bring a

smile to a child’s face this holiday season. Additionally, the event will feature an appearance by Santa Claus, and a drop box where kids can drop their letters to Santa off at. Letters dropped off with a legible name and return address will be answered by Santa before the holiday.

“Toys for Tots sends a message of hope to less fortunate children who otherwise wouldn’t be receiving presents this holiday season. I urge residents, who can, to donate new unwrapped toys to any of our drop-off locations,” said Councilman Tom Hand. “By making a donation, you can help ease the financial

burden of families hardest hit by the effects of the coronavirus this holiday season.”

Toys for Tots Collection Boxes are located at the following locations:

Oyster Bay Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay; Town Hall South, 977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa; Ice Skating Center at Bethpage Community Park, 1001 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage.

For more information, please contact Councilman Tom Hand’s Office at (516) 624-6309; or visit www. oysterbaytown.com.

The South Farmingdale Water District Is An Official Food Drive Drop Off Site For Long Island Cares

Serving The Communities Of South Farmingdale, North Massapequa And Parts Of Bethpage, Seaford And Massapequa Park

The South Farmingdale Water District encourages community members to make food donations this holiday season at the Long Island Cares drop off site at the Water District headquarters.

Help us help others by making a food donation Monday through Friday from 8:30am-4:00pm now through the month of December at the South Farmingdale Water District, located at 40 Langdon Road, Farmingdale, NY 11735.

Top 10 Most Needed Items

• Cereals

• Low fat, boxed & non refrigerated milk

• Canned vegetables

• White rice

• Cooking oil

• Pasta, tomato sauce

• Canned meat, poultry, fish

• Peanut butter

• Jelly, jam & spreadable fruit

Please – no glass jars

Food insecurity is very high on Long Island, and if you or someone you know

is experiencing a troubling time, call 631–582-FOOD.

VOODOO PASTA