______________ VALLEY STREAM _____________
HERALD District 13 appoints Gentles
Summer camp connects kids
Honoring William Grace Jr.
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VOL. 36 NO. 34
AUGUST 21 - 27, 2025
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A renovated home for V.S.’s Reyes family Alba suffers from severe back pain. The renovations are intended to accommodate all Demolition work is under- three family members. The process of demolition way on Donald Reyes’s family home in Valley Stream as Res- will take about two weeks, cuing Families, a Franklin according to Gina. “You don’t just go in there Square-based nonprofit, continues preparations for disability- with a sledgehammer and start friendly renovations to accom- bashing everything,” she said. “ Yo u h a v e t o modate the family’s reverse-engineer it needs. and pull it down in Renovations will a similar way it was include an open put up.” floor plan to allow Between the Reyes, who was parcareful procedures alyzed because of a the team must folsurfing accident in low and the hot the 1990s, to maneuweather limiting ver his wheelchair them from working uninterrupted, as VINcENT extended periods, we l l a s i m p rove cENTAURO the Centauros are accessibility enter- Co-founder, prioritizing safety. ing the home and Rescuing Families According to i n s i d e t h e b at hLou DiGregorio, a room and kitchen. A handful of volunteers led volunteer who has assisted by the nonprofit’s co-founders, with four of the nonprofit’s preGina and Vincent Centauro, vious projects, tearing down began tearing away plaster the walls has to be done in laywalls on Aug. 12, continuing ers. Because the house was the project initiated in May built at a time when walls were after the team cleared out fur- constructed using cement, the niture, cabinetry and fixtures team will have to remove the layer of plaster, break down the from the home. Douglas’s parents, Lorenzo cement and tear down the and Alba Reyes, are his prima- remaining wood without disry caregivers. However, Loren- rupting any existing electrical zo has Parkinson’s disease and Continued on pAGe 10
By RENEE DELORENZO
rdelorenzo@liherald.com
Courtesy Green Acres Mall
Camp Barrett kids showed off their Green Acres flying discs, handed out by the mall’s team during the summer program.
Green Acres Mall set to host annual Back-to-School Bash By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com
Green Acres Mall has put community at the forefront this summer, hosting and sponsoring several local events while gearing up for its annual Back-to-School Bash this weekend. Through donations, interactive activities and backpack giveaways, the Valley Stream mall has continued a tradition of supporting families and creating community connections. Earlier this month, Green Acres partnered with several community organizations to help close out summer on a celebratory note. On Aug. 2, the shopping center supported the Mill Brook Civic Association’s annual Block Party, contributing a $2,000 sponsorship and joining residents for give-
aways and interactive games. On Aug. 4, the mall brought a carnivalthemed celebration to Camp Barrett, the Village of Valley Stream’s summer recreation program, hosting Green Acres Day. Campers enjoyed carnival games, music and school supply giveaways, with local leaders including Mayor Ed Fare and Trustee Sharon Daly in attendance. “Events like Green Acres Day at Camp Barrett are what make Valley Stream such a special place,” Fare wrote in a statement. “When local businesses step up to give back, our whole community benefits. We’re grateful to Green Acres for ensuring our children are prepared for school — and for putting big smiles on their faces too.” According to Green Acres’ community relations manager, Jill Bromberg, Camp Continued on pAGe 8
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ouglas will have a lot more living space.