_______ Malverne/West HeMpstead ______
CoMMuNITy uPDATE Infections as of March 29
5,573
Infections as of March 22 5,489
$1.00
HERALD
Burning the chametz in W.H.
Raising awareness of mental health
Town holds e-cycling program
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Vol. 28 No. 14
APRIl 1 - 7, 2021
‘A gateway to access’ for all Coronavirus vaccine pop-up site appears at Lakeview Library By NAkEEM GRANT ngrant@liherald.com
Peter Belfiore/Herald
DoRIs HICks, PREsIDENT of the Lakeview branch of the NAACP, received her first dose of the coronavirus vaccine at a pop-up vaccination clinic at the Gateway Christian Center in Valley Stream on Feb. 23.
Many Lakeview residents were hopeful for easier access to the coronavirus vaccines. Their wishes became reality when a pop-up vaccine site appeared at the Lakeview Public Library on March 18. The daylong event was arranged by Tracey Edwards, the NAACP’s Long Island regional director, Lakeview Library board President Michael Alexander and Northwell Health. Several stations were set up throughout the chil-
dren’s room, Cherry Lane, where residents received their inoculations. “I think the closer that we can get to communities in order to administer the vaccine, the better we are,” Edwards said. While mass vaccination sites at hospitals, colleges and stadiums are good for the overall vaccination campaign, Edwards said, efforts at smaller centers can help alleviate some of the apprehension many people may have about getting vaccinated. Experts have said that comContinued on page 15
Residents team up for a ‘souper’ collection in Malverne By NAkEEM GRANT ngrant@liherald.com
Residents roamed the streets of Malverne last Saturday, going door to door with carts and wagons to collect nonperishable food for Our Lady of Lourdes Church’s annual Souper Scavenger Hunt. Groups met at the church, signed up to take part and formed teams before taking to the streets for this year’s villagewide hunt. Children knocked on doors and collected canned goods throughout the afternoon, and engaged in a friendly competition to score extra points for gathering tuna, peanut butter
and canned fruits, among other items. “Seeing my boys run from door to door, you’d think it was Christmas, as if they had a present waiting for them,” said Lourdes parent Hope Orfano. “It’s just a bag of cans, but they’re so happy, and it can’t be more fun than when they’re watching the collections being weighed.” The scavenger hunt helps to replenish OLL’s food pantry for people in need. More than 16,000 pounds of nonperishables were collected at this year’s event. Orfano, whose family has participated for the past five years, said that the hunt is an “easy
T
he beauty of this event is that anybody can do this.
HoPE oRfANo Malverne
win” for everyone. “The beauty of this event is that anybody can do this,” said Orfano, a member of the team Super O.K.K.’s. “This event is wonderful, but I hope this helps to inspire people to donate and help all the time, and to learn how easy it is to give back. Being
out and feeling like we’re accomplishing something is a feeling that is important to grab on to, especially in times like this.” Last year’s scavenger hunt was postponed until June because of the coronavirus pandemic. The church held an alternative food drive last March to support families during the lockdown.
“I think that people are aware of the fact that the needs are greater at this time,” OLL coordinator Linda Baldacchino said, “and there’s been so many people that have rallied together.” Groups like Boy Scout Troop 24 take part in the event to reinforce their values while encouraging others to get involved. Continued on page 4