_________________ FREEPORT _________________
HERALD Community aids veterans
Annual Boat Parade show
Show support for Toys for Tots
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Vol. 88 No. 51
DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023
$1.00
Clubs unite for community service excellence great way to meet people, learn things, and try something you’ve never done before.” Under the dedicated guidCommitted to community service, the Freeport Merrick a n c e o f A dv i s o r B r i a n n e Rotary and Interact Clubs have Underwood, Freeport High forged a harmonious relation- School students are making ship, where support and collab- waves as they navigate the chaloration are the keys to their lenges of maintaining a thriving student Interact Club. shared success. With 48 students actively Founded in 1905, the Rotary Club helps people all over the par ticipating, the Interact Club’s primary world in a myriad goal is to engage in of humanitarian meaningful comw o rk i n c l u d i n g munity service food and clothing w i t h i n F re e p o r t drives. Its central and its surroundheadquarters i n g a r e a s. T h i s resides in Chicago, year, the club volIllinois, and is comunteered for the prised of 1.4 milEnd Alzheimer’s lion members Walk in October worldwide in 200 and participated in countries. the Lido Beach “We are a nonCleanup. This Satprofit, nonpolitical, JoRDAN PECoRA urday, students are nonreligious orga- vice president, set to volunteer at nization,” Director American Rotary Club the Salvation Army of Community as bell ringers, genRelations Michael erously dedicating their time to Horowitz said. Working closely with the spreading holiday cheer. Underwood guides the stuInteract Club, Rotary engages in impactful projects, including dents while allowing them the food drives, collecting gifts for autonomy to spearhead initiaBig Brothers Big Sisters, and tives. As a student advisor, she understands the importance of supporting Angela’s House. “We always want to get peo- letting students take the lead in ple involved in service early in various projects. “These students successfully their lives,” Pecora said. “From a young age, giving back is a Continued on page 8
By ABIGAIl GRIECo
Intern
Eric Dunetz/Herald photos
Celebrating the holidays in Freeport Hundreds of families from Freeport and the neighboring areas lined up for an evening of holiday celebrations on Dec. 2. The night started with the lighting of the village Christmas tree at the Freeport Recreation Center followed by another tree lighting at the Nautical Mile Esplanade on Woodcraft Avenue. The festivities then carried over to the where people lined the docks to check out holiday-decorated boats for the annual Nautical Mile Holiday Boat Parade. Several dozen boats lit up the Nautical Mile and spread cheer by participating in the procession.
W
e always want to get people involved in service early in their lives.