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HERALD Student athletes honored by board
New additions to E.M. schools
Take a look at art invitational
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Vol. 23 No. 51
$1.00 $1.00
DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023
Salisbury takes care of its own Community rallies behind Vulpi family, amid tough ALS diagnosis ter minal neurodegenerative condition that results in the progressive loss of motor neuFor many years, 11-year-old rons that control voluntary Emma Vulpi of Salisbury has muscles. Michele Vulpi said that in been giving back to those in the four months since her husneed. Her efforts began when she band’s diagnosis, his condition has rapidly deteriowas 7, and decided r at e d . H e n e e d s to use the gift cards full-time care and she received on her full-time use of a Dec. 16 birthday to wheelchair. He also buy toys for chilu s e s a B i PA P dren in area hospimachine, a nontals during the holiinvasive ventiladays. tion therapy used Since her first to facilitate breathyear of donating in ing, for a few hours 2019, Emma’s during the day. efforts have only The ALS Associgrown. Last year, ation was able to she worked with h e l p t h e f a m i ly the John Theissen AliSA lAuER install a wheelchair Children’s Founda- Breakfast organizer ramp at their tion, a Wantaghhome, but this was based charity that does just what she strived to do just one hurdle to tackle, — donate hundreds of toys to among many others. “We’ve been mar ried 13 kids that need it most. But now Emma and her fam- years, together for 16 years,” ily, which includes her mom, Michele told the Herald. “It’s Michele, and dad, Patrick heartbreaking.” Michele said the family is Vulpi, are facing their an uphill battle. On Aug. 7, Patrick, 48, selling both of their cars in was diagnosed with a rare and order to afford a modified van agg ressive for m of Amyo- that can help transport her hustrophic lateral sclerosis, better band. On top of Patrick’s illknown as ALS. The disease is a Continued on page 4
By JoRDAN VAlloNE
jvallone@liherald.com
E
Tim Baker/Herald
lights on! At two community tree lightings last week around the greater-East Meadow area, residents of East Meadow and Salisbury got into the holiday spirit. In Veterans Memorial Park, the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce alongside the Council of East Meadow Community Organizations, kicked off their festivities at an event on Dec. 7. At Salisbury’s lighting a day later, Santa Claus arrived on a fire truck, thanks to efforts by the East Meadow Fire Department. Above, Madison Tockman and Ria Desai, both 9, from Salisbury, with ornaments next to this year’s tree. Right, Jonah and Ruby Murphy, 4 and 1, were bundled up at East Meadow’s event. Stories, more photos, Pages 3 and 10.
Brittany Krilov/Herald
ven those that have good medical insurance, there are just things that are not covered.