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HERALD $1.00
Welcoming new administrators
Tom Suozzi running for governor
Kiwanians spread Thanksgiving cheer
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VOL. 21 NO. 49
DECEMBER 2 - 8, 2021
Vets excluded from Covid-19 funding groups such as 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations, 501(c)(7) social clubs, 501(c)(8) fraternal Because of a technicality in beneficiary societies and 501(c) the American Rescue Plan Act (10) domestic fraternal societies. of 2021, American Legion and “501(c)(19) is every American Veterans of Foreign Wars posts Legion chapter, not just ours,” haven’t been receiving special said Pete Wenninger, commandpandemic loan and er of the East Meadg rant assistance ow American Legion from the federal gov1082. er nment, despite In addition to the their nonprofit staAmerican Legion tus. and VFW, other vetARPA was enacterans groups ed in March, after include the Military t h e C o ro n av i r u s Officers Association Aid, Relief, and Ecoof America, Ladies nomic Security Act, Auxiliary to the Vetpassed under Presierans of Foreign dent Trump in 2020, PETE Wa r s , N a t i o n a l ran out. The $1.9 trilGuard Association WENNINGER lion stimulus bill of the United States was signed into law American Legion and the Marines by President Joe Memorial AssociaBiden to speed up tion. the country’s recovery from the According to the Internal Reveconomic effects of the coronavi- enue Service, organizations rus pandemic. described in section 501(c)(3) are Veterans organizations, how- commonly referred to as charitaever, are unable to receive funds ble organizations, most of which because of their particular tax- are eligible to receive tax-deductexempt status. While American ible contributions. 501(c)(19) Legion and Veterans of Foreign organizations are also eligible to Wars posts are listed as 501(c) receive tax-deductible donations. (19), ARPA only provides beneNassau County Legislator fits for organizations designated Tom McKevitt, a Republican as 501(c)(3). This leaves out other CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
By MALLORY WILSON mwilson@liherald.com
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Courtesy Efren Andaluz
A dream matchup Street artist Efren Andaluz said his mural, “The Passing of the Torch,” at Peitro’s Pizzeria on East Meadow Avenue in East Meadow, is a tribute to the “Rocky” movies, with a twist — Rocky is in the ring with his protégé, Adonis Creed. Story, Page 3.
PTA leader Liz Kong, passionnate about kids and volunteering By LAURA LANE llane@liherald.com
Liz Kong, who once worked for J.P. Morgan arranging financial portfolios for clients worldwide, has spent more than a decade as an East Meadow Parent Teacher Association volunteer. She has served on the group’s executive board during much of this time, and she said she cherishes her experiences as a PTA president and vice presi-
dent. “I love when I see a child happy,” said the 50-year-old East Meadow mother of three. “I love when a child knows my name. But I don’t do things to be acknowledged. I do it because it makes me feel good.” One of Kong’s fondest memories is when she brought Ashley, who was an infant, to Barnum on Art Night. “She was wrapped in a pouch and I remember hanging the art work and everyone kept
trying to take the stapler away from me,” she said, laughing. “I was the stroller lady for years.” Mel Kong, her husband, also 50, said they are both active in the community. “We enjoy what we do,” said Mel, director of the East Meadow Little League’s Over 13 Boys’ Division. “The common denominator for us is helping children.” Liz also serves on the PTA’s CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
t’s not right that veterans organizations can’t get money.