Helping those in need right here on Long Island

The volunteers at Christmas Magic along with the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless (LICH) are gearing up for the 10^th annual Backpack Pirates Summer Festival that will take place on August 25 in Riverhead. For over a decade the LICH has organized  the “SOS: Supply Our Students” back to school drive, and the festival provides the perfect opportunity for children in need to not only receive school supplies and clothing but also to enjoy a day full of fun and exciting activities.

According to Greta Guarton of the LICH, 425 – 450 children benefit from the Backpack Pirates event every year and an additional 4,500 through SOS. At any given time you can count 7,000 children on Long Island who are homeless, and the yearly total can add up to 10,000.

Charlie Russo of the law firm Russo, Karl, Widmaier & Cordano, PLLC is the founder of Christmas Magic. The attorney said the non-profit started working on the festival along with the organization Every Child’s Dream 10 years ago and then joined forces with the coalition. He said the approximately 100 volunteers on hand each year at the event, as well as everyone who plays a part in the planning and preparation, make the day a success.

“Any time that you can reach out and help somebody like this, it’s a feel good moment. It’s a great, great moment in time. To see these kids just having a phenomenal day like this, and to be part of it in any way whether you’re making a donation, or you’re donating new clothing or new sneakers, you’re going to be part of it. You don’t necessarily have to be at the event,” Charlie said.

For several years, the Backpack Pirates festivals were held on Fire Island. Both Greta and Charlie said the children would be thrilled to take the ferry over to the island as many were never on a boat of any kind in their lifetime. However, in 2013 the event was moved to Riverhead due to the number of children that needed to be transported, and in case of stormy weather, the lack of shelter on Fire Island.

Before the August event, volunteers reach out to various businesses to raise money. Different company sponsorships levels are available, and participating businesses are recognized on the event t-shirts. Companies also set up boxes at their places of business to collect school supplies, and volunteers approach stores to see if they can stand outside with a collection box.

In addition to receiving backpacks filled with supplies and clothing, the children attending the Backpack Pirates event can enjoy various crafts and games and spend time at the beach. Last year the organization reached out to the public for swimwear for the children and all the participants received bathing suits and towels. Greta said another highlight of the day is the participation of Story Pirates, a group of professional actors. The storytellers improvise stories with the help of props and suggestions from their young audience.

At the end of the day, after receiving their filled backpacks, the children pick out clothing for themselves and any siblings who are unable to attend. Charlie is dedicated to making sure that each child has new clothing and shoes and reaches out to various organizations for donations. The lawyer feels every child should start off the school year just like their fellow classmates with new additions to their wardrobe. 

 “It’s just another way of giving them a better start to the school year,” the lawyer said.

Greta said one obstacle they encounter is finding bathing suits and clothing for the older kids. The children attending the event range from ages 6 to 18, with some of the older kids wearing adult sizes. Greta said in addition to children’s clothing, the organization can use donations of new adult garments or swimwear up to 4 XL. And when it comes to filling up the backpacks, donations of any school supplies are welcomed but Greta said they are usually short on scissors, erasers, rulers, loose leaf paper and dividers.

Cynthia and Charlie McKenna of Keller Williams Realty Homes & Estates in Hauppauge, who have volunteered for the event in the past, said they carry with them many touching moments from Backpack Pirates that Charlie McKenna described as life altering for him.

Cynthia said her fellow Keller Williams agents, who have volunteered at the event in the past, come back overwhelmed with emotion, especially when they realize the children are only a small percentage of those in need.

“You’re standing there with 400 children, and you’re saying, ‘How could this be? How? How could there be more than this in this day and age?’” Cynthia said.

The volunteer said many times she has had to choke back tears while helping at the event. One year it was a girl’s birthday and at the end of the day she started crying. When Cynthia asked her what was wrong, she told the volunteer that it was her best birthday ever, and she didn’t want to leave.

Charlie McKenna remembers a young girl picking out clothing; however for boys. When he asked if she needed any help, she told him that she was looking for clothes for her brother who only owned one pair of shorts and was unable to attend that day. The girl asked if the shorts in her hand would fit a 16-year old. The real estate agent realized that the only thing she had in her hands were things for her brother and nothing for herself.  Greta said that many times volunteers will find children picking out clothing for their siblings, and the kids are even happier to find something for a brother or sister than they are with getting something for themselves.

During the day, the participants enjoy two meals and ice cream, and before they leave, can pick out healthy snacks to bring with them. One year Charlie McKenna witnessed two boys in the snack tent stuffing their backpacks with as many pieces of fruit, granola bars and whatever else could fit. They couldn’t believe they could take whatever they wanted and were planning to share the goodies with their family members back at the shelter, which was a hotel room with no kitchen. As the volunteer pointed out, “We take it for granted that we can get up from our couch and go to the cupboard or refrigerator for a snack anytime we wish.”

Another encounter that stands out for the real estate agent was when a dozen or so children were crying as they were leaving. They explained to him that if felt like Christmas in the summer. While Charlie McKenna claims to not usually be emotional, he said on this day, “I felt that knot in the back of my throat. I felt the heat building in the edges of my eyes. I put my head down and prayed. I asked God to help these children. I thanked God for putting me in that place, at that time.”

Greta said anyone interested in volunteering at the Backpack Pirates Summer Festival must attend the volunteer orientation that will be held on Saturday, August 15 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at 600 Albany Avenue in Amityville. The event will take place on August 25 from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm in Riverhead, and the rain date is scheduled for August 27. Those interested in volunteering must be 18 years or older.

“It’s a long day. It’s a lot of work, but it’s a life changing experience for the volunteers as much as it is for the kids,” Greta said.

A Sort and Pack Day will also be held at the Amityville location on Saturday, August 15 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. For more information on volunteering, contact Mike Giuffrida at 631-464-4314 x 111 or mgiuffrida@addressthehomeless.org.

To make a monetary donation, visit gofundme.com/BackpackPirates or holidaymagicli.org.

Smithtown, A History: A Local Treasure Lost

Hauppauge Village Hall becomes a casualty of the expansion of Route 347.

Hauppauge Village Hall sign. Photo courtesy of Paul Borowski.

***This article was originally published on the website Smithtown Patch in October of 2010. 

Residents of the Smithtown/Hauppauge area found Hauppauge Village Hall a sight as welcoming as their own home. On October 1, the building, located at the intersection of Routes 347 and 454, was demolished due to the 347 widening project.

Paul Borowski, who headed up attempts to save the structure, pointed out, "It wasn't an elaborate place, but it was the place."

Since 1977 the hall was owned by the St. Thomas More’s Knights of Columbus. Besides serving as a meeting spot for the organization and local Boy Scout troops, it was a popular location for birthday and christening parties.

Built in 1887, the building was originally owned by the Smith family and in earlier days was used by the Perseverance Lodge of Good Templars. It was 1931 when it was purchased by the Hauppauge Village Hall Association. According to local historian Noel Gish, it was even used as a school for a short period in the 20s.

Gish said, “It served the community very well.”

From the mid 1940s to the 1980s, the Mr. and Mrs. Club of Hauppauge used the hall as a meeting place. The community and social club was responsible for many of the improvements made to the structure. When the group first started meeting there, there was only a coal stove, no running water and the bathroom was outdoors.  

Gish said in 1959 Lee Koppelman met with residents at the hall to discuss the master plans for Hauppauge. Here plans unfolded for the community’s schools, fire department and the industrial park.

When the Knights sold the building to the state in the end of last year, Borowski and Gish approached the state about saving the hall and enlisted the help of Suffolk County Legislator John M. Kennedy and Senator Brian Foley. The state was willing to donate the building if a location could be found for it by June 1.

There was hope that the Hauppauge School District would be able to place the building on school property. While the district was open to the idea, state regulations inhibited the move.

There was also an interest in moving it to Blydenburgh Park or Sayville. However, despite private engineers claiming the building was stable enough to move, Suffolk County engineers deemed it unstable.

Borowski and Gish were able to save around 200 bricks from the hall as well as the Hauppauge Village sign. The plan is for the pieces to be displayed at Hauppauge High School.

Now Hauppauge Village Hall, once an example of our rich local history, is an example of how we can lose a bit of our past.

Hauppauge Village Hall in 2010 before it was demolished. Photo courtesy of Paul Borowski.

***This article was originally published on the website Smithtown Patch in October of 2010. 

Former Smithtown Resident Shares a Piece of the Pie with the Less Fortunate

A few weeks ago I decided to write about some great people from Smithtown for this blog—those who still live here and those who grew up here and still carry our town in their hearts.

Living in Smithtown for over 35 years, and a graduate of Hauppauge High School who is very active on Facebook, I easily listed a dozen or so people I wanted to blog about. As for the first person, I knew it had to be my former schoolmate Lorraine Gryniewich.

A few months ago, Lorraine, a member of Hauppauge High School’s Class of ’87, experienced a turning point in her life and found her calling. While others were gathered around the table on Thanksgiving Day catching up on family members and friends, or posting photos on Facebook, this wife and mother of two was having a more meaningful interaction. A conversation with her twin sister Laura on that day would be one that would positively change her life as well as the lives of many of the less fortunate in her area.

Lorraine was incredulous when Laura, who is a social worker, explained that the people she served would not receive their usual food baskets during the holidays due to policy changes. After hearing of her sister’s frustrations, Lorraine said to her, “I’ll do it. I don’t know how, but I will do it.”

And she did it! Getting the word out to her friends on Facebook that she was organizing a food drive, the philanthropist was able to collect 1,867 pounds of food and hand deliver complete meals to over 50 families in time for Christmas. Lorraine said food and money donations came from all over the country with the great majority of the donations coming from former Hauppauge High School classmates—many who she hasn’t seen in almost 30 years.

Some of the food collected during Lorraine's holiday food drive in 2013.

Turns out the holiday food drive wasn’t just a feel good project to get into the spirit of the season for Lorraine. She couldn’t get over the feeling that she just dropped off baskets of food to some families that didn’t even have electricity or running water. Knowing that Lorraine felt the desire to help others in need even further, one of her friends suggested she visit an underserved school in West Virginia. After a trip to the school in a rural and isolated area, she was struck by the urgent need for basics such as food and clothing. She knew she needed to do something to help out the students as well as their families.

Her calling to be the voice of the less fortunate led to the birth of the nonprofit organization Piece of the Pie (POP). The mission is simple: to help families and seniors in need living in the DC metro, Maryland, Northern Virginia and West Virginia areas. In addition, if she can assist in some way in other places, she is more than happy to help. 

Lorraine has adopted the West Virginia school and has visited the faculty and students, as well as the homes in the surrounding area, numerous times. She has helped to bring coats, sneakers, early readers, classroom books, copy paper and more to the children and their families. With a recent clothing and materials drive, she once again has been touched by the generosity of those she has connected with on Facebook. Long-time friends and acquaintances not only have donated to the cause, but have also volunteered their homes to be drop-off sites for donated items.

Mimi Wright, who has known Lorraine since their days together at Forest Brook Elementary School, wasn’t surprised when she heard her former classmate was starting a non-profit and how quickly everything came together.

“There was no question in my mind that this was her calling—finding the local need and getting people to fix it! She has the heart to want to do it; the organizational skills to get it done. The attitude to make sure she gets the right help, or send people on their way, and the personality to do it with such grace that people want to help over and over again,” Mimi said.

It’s also no surprise that Lorraine has been touched so deeply by the needs of the children attending the West Virginia school. Before becoming a stay-at-home mother 9 years ago, she was a teacher for 15 years. Lorraine knows that students need the basics in and outside of the classroom to receive a proper education and that all children deserve to be educated. The former educator explained that most of the children live in remote areas that are only passable with a four-wheel drive even on a good day—the type of vehicles that poor families can’t afford. And even if they do a have a car, many of the parents can’t afford to buy gas. With stores a 20 minute drive away, even when there is money to buy groceries, without a car it can be extremely difficult to pick up food and other necessities. She said that at times the visits to the children’s homes can leave her feeling frustrated and wondering if she is doing enough for them.

“What keeps me going is the hope that maybe one little one will remember a kind act and will feel worthy of a better life,” she said.

Lorraine said it’s her father who has inspired her most in life, and it’s he who set the example of helping others. The former Hauppauge track team member said she remembers her dad buying coffee for a man with special needs who bagged groceries in Grand Union. He also would buy lunch for the autistic man who was in charge of gassing up the trucks at work. While Lorraine moved to Maryland after graduating from the University of Buffalo and now calls Virginia home, she still travels to our town often to visit her father as well as her mother, brother and grandmother.

The founder of Piece of the Pie has not only changed the lives of those she has helped, but also those who have been inspired to do better after witnessing what she has accomplished in such a short time. Former classmate Francine Silverman was so touched by Lorraine’s work that she coordinated a clothing drive in her New Jersey neighborhood for Piece of the Pie. In addition to the clothing she gathered, she also found an eye doctor to donate a box of frames and prescription glasses and a dentist to contribute 250 toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Lorraine is currently collecting non-perishable foods for the families in the West Virginia area and also organizing a back-to-school supplies and clothing drive for the students. If you are inspired by this former Smithtown resident’s mission, you can donate non-perishable foods, gently-used clothing and outwear for children and adults, gently-used books, games, puzzles or small toys to Piece of the Pie. Simply contact Lorraine at rain@shareapieceofthepie.org. Monetary donations are also accepted and can be sent to: PO Box 214, Hamilton, Virginia 20158.

For more information about Piece of the Pie, visit http://shareapieceofthepie.org .

The results of a recent Piece of the Pie clothing drive. 

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Author Claire Nicolas White Shares the Stories of the Smith Family

Every once in a while I get a chance to take a step back in time…well, at least feel like it. Today was one of those days for me as I headed over to the Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s (WMHO) Educational and Cultural Center in Stony Brook.

With the front of the venue’s main room set up like an old-fashioned sitting room, the organization presented author Claire Nicolas White’s new book The Land of the Smiths: A Collection of Personal Memoirs. White, who was married to a descendant of both Smithtown’s town founder and architect Stanford White, was fortunate to read many of the writings of Smith family members. She also was able to enjoy a few years with her husband’s grandmother, Bessie White, who was the daughter of a Smith and married to Stanford. Bessie grew up in Judge Lawrence Smith’s house that still stands today on the property of the Smithtown Historical Society.

Today’s reception began with the over 100 attendees mingling while enjoying free refreshments and buying the new history book. WMHO President Gloria D. Rocchio gave a brief introduction and thanked sponsors Lessing’s, The Smithtown News and Damianos Realty Group.

The trip back in time began as pianist Richard Foley and violinist Ryan Foley played a medley of Stephen Foster songs including “Oh! Susanna" and “Camptown Races”. The brief musical performance was followed by a vignette called “A Visit with Miss Smith” written by Ms. White and performed by local actress Jean Linzee. The old-fashioned sitting room was the perfect backdrop for this peek into the life of one of Judge Lawrence Smith’s daughters and Bessie White’s sister. Not only did Linzee transport the audience back in time to the days of Ella’s youth, but also let us in on what life was like for a young Smith in the late 1800s.  Ella reminded guests that there was a time when Main Street was filled with Smiths and the town’s train station was a new addition. However, the most touching part of the monologue is when we find that Ella had fallen in love with her cousin on her mother’s side, James Clinch. While many Smiths married cousins, her father didn’t approve. To keep her away from her crush, the judge locked Ella in a cage in the attic for a month! And while the punishment was uncalled for, and your heart may break for the young girl, Ella did move on to marry Devereux Emmet, a wealthy golf course designer and realtor. The Emmet’s became the proud owners of the house Sherrewogue on Harbor Road in Head of the Harbor.

When it was Ms. White’s turned to speak, she was very modest and after a few sentences joked that the audience would probably prefer if she just signed books. However, she did graciously answer a few questions. With a half a dozen or so Smiths on hand, including Nissequogue Mayor Richard Smith, many wanted to know if Ms. White had ever been familiar with this Smith or that Smith. At one point, the conversation turned to town founder, Richard Smythe, acquiring the land known as Smithtown from his friend Lion Gardiner and not by riding a bull. Ms. White reminded us that not many places have such a charming story attached to it.   

Since I just bought the book today, I can’t write a review of it just yet. However, thumbing through the pages, I can tell you the Holland-born author came to Long Island looking for “a sense of place to complete my identity”. After today’s reception, it’s seems as if she not only found that, but with her book will provide many more Smithtown residents with a sense of place and appreciation of its town’s wonderful history.

For more information on The Land of the Smiths: A Collection of Personal Memoirs call the Ward Melville Heritage Organization at 631-751-2244.

 

Jean Linzee as Ella Smith.

 

Ms. White signing books at the end of the presentation.

Welcome to Commack

I was exchanging emails with someone the other day, and I mentioned how I blogged. After looking at this page, I may have been exaggerating a bit. It sure has been a while.

You know how it is…life gets in the way sometimes. A recent move has kept me busy lately, but at the same time has inspired me to blog again.  You see I may have moved, but I’m still in Smithtown. It’s just a different part of the township that’s all.

I’m in Commack now on the Smithtown side. What can I say here on Long Island a few of our hamlets have split personalities. The fact that Commack is divided between the townships of Huntington and Smithtown can be credited to Smithtown founder Richard Smythe.

When I was writing for Commack Patch, my former social studies teacher Noel Gish explained that like most land disputes on the island it began over confusion over who was given land from Native Americans. Nessaquakes, Matinecocks and Secatogues once lived in and around what we now know as Commack.  The land from Cow Harbor in Northport to west of the Nissequogue River was granted to Jonas Woods, William Rogers and Thomas Wilkes of Huntington in 1656. This territory was given to them by the Sachem Asharoken of the Matinecocks. Around the same time Richard Smythe acquired the land that would become Smithtown from his friend Lion Gardiner. The Sachem Wyandanch presented Gardiner this area which he believed extended to the west of the Nissequogue. The overlapped area of these two claims is now the Smithtown part of Commack.

For twenty years a debate continued as to whether the Huntington group or Smythe owned the land. The founder of Smithtown persisted in Dutch courts and then English courts and won his claim in the late 1670s.

Basically it’s the reason why Commack residents west of Townline and Commack Roads have trouble getting permission to park at Hoyt Farm, and those east of the roads can’t borrow books from the Commack branch of the Huntington Library. I guess back in the old days they didn’t foresee these little annoyances. :)

Even the name Commack has two pronunciations. While you’ll hear most people say Ko-mack nowadays, you’ll still find some old-timers who say Kom-mack, which kind of sounds like “comic”. There’s a reason for this. The area was originally called Winnecomac, and when the name was shortened, Comac was initially used. The spelling was changed to Commack to avoid being confused with Coram. Apparently there were some mail mix-ups back in the old days.

So here I am Commack and here I am readers. Let’s continue this journey through the township of Smithtown real soon!

Remembering the Local Victims of 9/11

Eleven years later we remember those who lost their lives due to the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Yesterday I decided to visit a few memorials in the township of Smithtown to pay my respects to local victims.

Gardens of Remembrance

Just a few minutes away from my home is the H. Lee Dennison Building. Located on Route 454, the building features their Armed Forces Plaza which includes the Gardens of Remembrance. A memorial to 9/11 victims who once resided in Suffolk County, the structure is a large square of glass panels with a garden on the inside. While the garden is inaccessible, it creates a beautiful background for the panels. Each is etched with information about a different victim including their name, age at the time, occupation and town they resided in. The memorial is breathtaking any time of day, but when lit up at night, it becomes even more so.

 

Smithtown 9/11 Memorial

Right on Main Street in Smithtown is a memorial dedicated to residents of the town who lost their life that day. Next to the Cactus Day Salon residents will find a serene waterfall surrounded by a low wall. On the front of the wall a series of plaques display the names of the Smithtown victims and benches are located across from the waterfall for visitors to take in the simple yet beautiful dedication.

Responders Remembered Memorial Park
 

To honor the first responders in Suffolk County who lost their lives after 9/11, a memorial can be found on the corner of Smithtown Boulevard and Gibbs Pond Road in Nesconset. Many first responders have been diagnosed with different types of cancer throughout the last decade, and the marble walls are currently etched with 118 names. Members of the committee for the Responders Remembered Memorial Park are currently working on adding more names to ensure that all of the deceased responders from our county are honored.

Providing spots for locals to reflect on 9/11 on any day they choose, each of these memorials is beautifully designed to honor the victims so they will never be forgotten.  

Smithtown 9/11 Memorial
 

 

Long Island Kids Style

For the past few years, every summer I get the chance to discover Long Island through the eyes of a child. Well, at least for a few days when my cousin's son and/or daughter come to visit. While both of them have spent a few days with me the last few years, this year Samantha visited on her own.  Being 13 now, Brandon has a very busy schedule with baseball, friends and girlfriends. You know how it is!

Of course, being a 10-year-old girl there was a visit to Justice at the Smith Haven Mall, and one night we met up with cousins at Chuck E Cheese, but fortunately there was more to the vacation then shopping and games.

This summer we had the chance to visit Atlantis Marine World again. Or as they call it now, Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center. It's been two years since our last visit, and while they have added the exhibition with the butterflies and birds, I must admit we skipped it. Passing by the shark tank we did see someone taking part in the shark experience where you are lowered into the water in a cage to get a closer look at the sharks. And while it sounds kind of cool, I don't know about sharing water with sharks!

I must admit the highlights for me are still the penguins and sea lions. Samantha and I caught the sea lion show and were amazed at what they can do.  Or course, overall, it was just relaxing walking around checking out the aquatic animals. Even though I only seem to make it here when the kids are visiting, I think it's a great place for all ages to visit, even perfect for a date.

One night, to the relief of my friends and Facebook buddies who I kept asking about this place, I brought Samantha and my landlords' daughter to Boomers out by Exit 65 on the Expressway. There's an arcade, kiddie rides, bumper boats and  miniature golf, but I would have to say the best part of this small park are the go karts. The other attractions at Boomers are nice to take a break in between riding the go karts, but they probably won't hold the attention of anyone out of elementary school for long. However, as far as the go karts, I did feel we got more time on the track than we did at Karts in Ronkonkoma last year, so it was definitely worth the $24.99 P.O.P. And besides getting enough time on the track each time, we went four or five times!

Both the aquarium and Boomers have rock walls, which is great. However, while you don't pay extra for the one at the aquarium, you do pay $6 more for the one at Boomers. Not quite sure I would pay extra again. The kids get three tries, but considering we had to find someone to come help, I really don't think the $6 is justified.

One afternoon we were able to pay a quick visit to Sweetbriar Nature Center in Smithtown. The park is one of those gems that exist because of the generosity of former residents. While the house is filled with educational material on animals and nature, and the outside hosts animals and birds that have been injured, the main draw is the butterfly vivarium. One of the girls working in the vivarium told me there were approximately 200 butterflies this year, and the day we were there they were fluttering around in full force in an array of colors. We kept trying to get photos of the blue ones, but they were too quick for us.

Of course, a trip to the island wouldn't be complete without stopping by Adventureland. The one thing I love about this place is that if you don't go on any rides you don't have to pay. I just paid $3 to go on the train around the park and that was it. As for Samantha and my landlord's daughter, they got the $23.99 P.O.P. bracelets, and considering we were there for over four hours, I still feel like I got my money's worth at Adventureland.  Granted it may not be as huge as a Six Flags park, and the rides may not be as scary, but it's definitely an easy way to have a few hours of fun on Long Island.

Now next year we'll have to make it to the glow-in-the-dark miniature golf in Deer Park or Medford. The kids definitely can have too much fun on this island!