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VOL. 88 NO. 38
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District 21 unites to help community veterans By BEN FIEBERT & MOHAMED FARGHALY of the Freeport Herald
A spirited crowd of nearly 200 runners and walkers converged on Baldwin Park last week united in their support of veterans. Assemblyman Brian Curran, a dedicated advocate of veterans’ causes, hosted his annual 5K Run For Heroes, inviting residents of the communities in his 21st District to take part. The event’s overarching mission was to raise funds for organizations including the American Legion posts in Freeport, Baldwin, Lynbrook, Malverne and Rockville Centre as well as the East Rockaway and Lynbrook chapters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. As the event’s slogan, “Don’t stand with our veterans, run for them!” echoed through the park, Curran explained his longstanding commitment to veterans’ issues. “Veterans have always been a purpose for me,” he said. “You can never appreciate all of the service and sacrifice that they did.” Curran is the father of a cadet at the U.S. Mili-
tary Academy at West Point, which, he said, has reinforced his understanding of the paramount importance of caring for veterans. He emphasized the need for local communities to provide havens where veterans can gather, enjoy one another’s company and find solace. The fundraising 5K, he said, is playing a role in ensuring the vitality of those posts. “Back in 2010, when I got elected, a lot of the veteran posts in the district were saying how they used to get an influx of grant money and full federal and state money to help keep their doors open,” Curran said. “All of these posts have the very same expenses, such as electric, plumbing, maintenance, and they weren’t able to keep up with it.” Three area veterans’ posts have shuttered since 2010 due to financial problems. In 2011, Curran created the Run For Heroes to generate funding for these essential community resources. In addition to sponsorships, runners’ entry fees collected for the Run For Heroes are passed along to the participating posts.
Randy Milteer/Freeport Public Relations
Freeport remembers 9/11 The Freeport community gathered at the corner of Bayview and Ray, on September 11 where a monument stands in memory of over 20 residents lost in the 2001 terrorist attack. Mayor Kennedy, the village and the Fire Department hosted a heartfelt commemoration ceremony in a commitment to never forget.
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Dynamic duo to elevate the Freeport School Board By MOHAMED FARGHALY mfarghaly@liherald.com
Following their triumphant victory in the May 2023 Freeport school board election, Sonia Dixon and Scott Richardson are gearing up to take their seats on the Freeport School Board for the upcoming academic year. With diverse backgrounds, unwavering dedication to education, and strong community ties, they are poised to shape the future of Freeport’s educational landscape. 202 3 HIGH SCH OOL SPORTS PREVIEW SEPTEMBER 14, 2023
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Richardson and Dixon join Trustee President Maria Jordan-Awalom, Vice President Shuron U. Jackson along with trustee Sunday F. Coward. Dixon’s jour ney to the Freeport School Board is a testament to her enduring commitment to youth and community advocacy. Born in El Salvador, she migrated to the United States in 1984, seeking refuge from civil unrest in her home country. Her journey led her to Freeport, where she embraced the community as her own. Her roots in the
community run deep, and her passion for empowering the younger generation is palpable. As a Freeport resident for 30 years, Dixon has become an integral part of the local fabric. Her passion for education and community engagement is a driving force in her life. As a mother of four daughters, Sonia understands the importance of a quality education. All of her children have been part of the Freeport public school system, and she now has a grandchild attending as well.
“My main priority is unifying everyone—students, parents, teachers, staff, and community as a whole to make sure that we all have one common goal, and that’s the student,” Dixon said. “I just saw changes that can be formed from just having a caring attitude.. I have a passion for trying to help youth in this community. Dixon’s track record includes serving as the PTA Council President in Freeport, a position she leveraged to earn a Continued on page 4