Rockville Centre Herald 08-21-2025

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_____________ ROCKVILLE CENTRE ____________

HERALD

REALTOR®, CBR®, CHMS

Golfing to help Camp Anchor

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Vol. 36 No. 34

AUGUST 21 - 27, 2025

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A book of love for ‘Love, Nana’ Hyland family shares mission through children’s story By JANE BAGATTA Herald Intern

Glen Cove

Courtesy Megan O’Rourke

Joan Hyland, center, is the star of a new children’s book that highlights her nonprofit work at Love, Nana. From left: Kevin Manning, Sarah Ready, Joan Hyland, Erin Morgan and Jake Lunney.

Love, Nana, a nonprofit organization in Rockville Centre, has touched the lives of many local people and groups since its founding nearly five years ago. Now, with a new book about the organization coming out in September, its mission will reach more people, as readers welcome Nana’s story into their homes. The children’s book, titled “Love, Nana,” was written by Joan “Nana” Hyland’s daughter, Frances Carver, and illustrated by Hyland’s grandson James Hyland IV. The book will launch Sept. 13 at the Backyard Players and Friends storefront in Rockville Centre, with all proceeds benefiting the nonprofit. Love, Nana was founded in 2020 by Joan Hyland, a retired nurse. The nonprofit creates bundles of baby CoNtiNuEd oN pagE 11

Need a helping hand? Jim Neitz answers the call By KElSIE RADZISKI kradziski@liherald.com

Jim Neitz spent his life answering the call — whether it’s a fire alarm in Rockville Centre, a family in need at the Ronald McDonald House, or a child struggling in gym class. The 80-year-old retired teacher, firefighter, coach and volunteer has built a quiet legacy of service across Long Island, driven

by a deep belief in helping others wherever and whenever he can. For more than two decades, Neitz has been a steady, comforting presence at the Ronald McDonald House Charities NY Metro of Long Island, a nonprofit in New Hyde Park that provides medical care and housing to families in need. His journey with the House began in 2003 on a whim and quickly Glen Cove

grew into what he calls “the best thing I’ve ever done.” “I came with a donation, and two days later, I was working two days a week,” he said. That volunteer work paused only during the Coronavirus pandemic. Since then, many o r i g i n a l vo l u n t e e r s h ave stepped back due to age or health, but Neitz still shows up when he can. When he first returned, he said the House AUGUST 14, 2025

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was “ecstatic” to have the Three Amigos back. The “Three Amigos” were a trio of beloved volunteers whose energy, humor and commitment helped shape the spirit of the House. Neitz, along with fellow volunteers Charles Chazan, a former teacher and principal, and John Buglione, a corrections officer and supervisor, were deemed “healthcare heroes” known for their cama-

raderie, hard work and the joy — and food — they brought to families and staff. A fourth member, Bill Rigley, later joined their ranks and was known for his skill on the grill. “I stayed on because it was so much fun to be with them, and so I ended up having eight hour days, and when we caught 12 hour days, that was fine with me,” he said. “The time spent CoNtiNuEd oN pagE 15


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