Story by Jeff Lipton
Not even a superstorm could dampen the holiday
spirit enjoyed by the children in Long Beach.
Acting like a modern-day Grinch, Hurricane Sandy
arrived within striking distance of Christmas and tried to steal the holiday
from Long Beach children and their families.
On top of that, a devastating fire at the Knights of
Columbus headquarters in Long Beach, where the annual children’s Christmas
party was scheduled to be held, all but dashed hopes for a normal holiday
celebration for the kids.
However, a massive toy drive was undertaken and not
one but two Christmas parties will be held for Long Beach kids.
The blaze at the Long Beach Knights of Columbus
Msgr. Cass 2626, at 970 West Beech St., on Dec. 10, sent the Knights scrambling
for an alternative location for the annual party.
The party will now be held on Sunday, Dec. 23, from
1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Ignatius gymnasium on West Broadway and New York
Avenue. Ronald Bowne, the grand knight, said his list of guests includes at
least 75 children, who will be given about 400 toys that were donated.
“For the last two and a half months, these residents
have been stressing and it will be nice just to see a smile on the children’s
faces, which will make it all worthwhile,” said Browne.
In addition, the Nassau County Sheriff’s Correction
Officers Benevolent Association (COBA) organized a week-long toy drive for Long
Beach kids impacted by Sandy, collecting more than 500 toys at its headquarters
in East Meadow. COBA ramped up its efforts after learning about the devastating
fire at the Knights of Columbus.
“We thought that helping the kids in the community
of Long Beach was a great idea,” said Greg Lanning, a COBA delegate. “But after
the fire happened, we said, ‘Wow, now what?”
The toys will be distributed during an
invitation-only party for the children at the Father Joseph O’Connell Council
of the Knights of Columbus, at 27 Kenneth Place in Oceanside, on Saturday, Dec.
22, from 12 noon to 4 p.m.
About 100 children will attend that party, said
Lanning, who added that it will include a magician, a clown, a DJ and, of
course, Santa.
He added that about 300 new winter coats that were donated
will also be distributed.
“At the end of the day, it’s all about cheering
things up a little bit for the children and their families,” said Lanning. “It’s
about people stepping up.”
Lanning said COBA heard that the Long Beach Knights were using their lodge as a
distribution point for Sandy victims in need of food and clothing.
“What do you do when the place that helps those in
need is now in need themselves?” said Lanning. “It was a no-brainer. We’ve got
to be there for them. It was not a big deal. We do the toy drive anyway. We
just had to kick it up a little.”
He credits Brielle Hills of Oceanside, who helps out
with the American Red Cross, for getting donations and spearheading the toy
drive and the Oceanside party’s activities.
"I see these kids and my heart bleeds for them,”
said Hills, who grew up in Long Beach. “With the Red Cross, I’ve just seen
about everything from the hurricane.
“I want to put a smile on every child’s face,” she
added. “I want them to be happy and joyful. I want this to be a moment they
will never forget.”
Meanwhile, Browne said the burned-out building in
Long Beach will be razed and a new one built in its place, where the Knights
plan to hold next year’s Christmas party.
Holiday Spirit Prevails in Long Beach
Children's holiday parties, toy drives go on despite Sandy, fires.
Toys collected by the Correction Officers Benevolent Association in East Meadow.
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Diana Prince May 22, 2013 at 03:26 pm
Look at this page. WHY are they still asking to "help rebuild?" I thought the city already…Read More rebuilt it. WHY are they still using "Hurricane Devastation photos as though the place is still a mess?
http://rescueink.org/donate.html
Tideline May 22, 2013 at 03:58 pm
Owners are looking at a huge $50-60K assessment per unit. Many owners do not have the money. The…Read More water made it onto the 2nd flr there. Many unit owners have stopped paying their Mtgs and RE Taxes. Blg. supposed to re open mid Summer. What happens to the unit owner's who do not have the money to pay the assessment ? The Blg. is structurally sound, financially is another matter.
Me May 22, 2013 at 10:46 am
Might actually be cheaper to buy a used RV. It doesn't need to really run or drive well. You can…Read More find them on craigslist for as little as $1,000 dollars. Even if you change aout all matresses, clean up etc you could be all in for only the cost of a month or two rent. Then you can re-sell, donate to charity or give it away free when done and no problem if construction runs long you own it.
Patrick Smith May 22, 2013 at 10:52 am
We are laughing stock of free world,Were supposed to be a roll model LOL
Me May 22, 2013 at 09:41 am
We all are and are all in the same boat. Not that it's any real comfort but you are not alone!…Read More Everyone needs to scream and holler (figuratively please) and contact all there elected representatives from Senate and house down to Governor, the state, the county and the city and put them to task and hold their feet to the fire to get it done already.
Eddie May 22, 2013 at 10:52 am
Your bill of sale on Craigslist says the door is Fiberglas, not "clear pine".
Paul Carrella May 22, 2013 at 10:41 am
Taht's right Tony, takes a long time to figure out how to steal that kind of dough. Welcome to the…Read More new Asbury Park.
paul.d.spellman May 21, 2013 at 10:56 am
If you have an alarm system, you need to pay the city fee. They hired an outside company to manage…Read More the payments so now the fee is expected to be collected.
Leonard Bauman May 21, 2013 at 07:33 pm
I have heard 3 stories: the movie theatre owner had no flood insurance and will need to find $$ to…Read More rebuild, no $$ so far; the theatre will be razed and will become home to 4 stores, the movie theatre will be renovated into a world class theatre with surround sound and ticket prices of $2 for children and $4 for adults except after 4PM.
IRISH 4 May 21, 2013 at 10:41 am
I cant believe all the shore towns with boardwalks up and running & Lb hasnt even started .So…Read More much for we are different and are building a better one,Well the first one lasted many years so just upgrade and get finished.& months later and not even a board in & still making excuses AND 4XS THE COST ....WOW WHAT A BARGAIN .
Publius May 21, 2013 at 08:56 am
some observations: one, applicable regulations for safety provide you cannot have mixed swimming…Read More and surfing beaches, so if the idea is to have both, you need to allocate. two, different beaches, because of bottom conditions, have very different waves -- ergo, the selection of beaches for surfing. three, on any given summer day with decent waves, and barely decent on a weekend, the number of surfers is dangerous. truly. I will not let my younger children surf/learn on those days. I won't even surf those days. four, on any given summer day, the number of people in the water, let alone actually swimming, is incredibly small in comparison to our total available beach real estate. five, as a general rule under this schedule, no swimmer should have to walk more than a few seconds to 2 minutes to be on a swimming beach. it is an allocation issue and not everyone is going to like the allocation, but that's often a part of the give and take of living in a community where resources are shared. folks who live near the train station have commuters parking in front of the their houses, sometimes with cars left for 2-3 days. similar for folks who live near the beach and can't get parking for themselves or at least their guests on a weekend. there are unbelievable issues with allocation of sports fields for practice and games. west-enders put up with bar traffic and a lot of other things. in any event, my two cents.
john peri Jr May 19, 2013 at 09:02 am
Food is just one element of achieving health. There are probably thousands. For…Read More instance---exercise, clean water, sunshine, avoiding poisons, proper sleep, stress management, education, etc.
john peri Jr May 19, 2013 at 07:31 am
With my suggestion, the IRS could enforce compliance with bathroom inspection raids.
Patrick Smith May 18, 2013 at 08:59 am
After looking at strongerthanthestorm.com and well Jersey completed the work they did,we got to…Read More replace the clowns we have running all of Long Beach
Wobbly Jones May 19, 2013 at 02:01 pm
Biggert-Waters bill NEVER passed Senate:
watch Sen. Landrieu on YouTube.…Read More
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7LptibadAE
Leonard Bauman May 18, 2013 at 10:45 pm
For political reasons, nothing will be said or put in writing. Your request will meet deafness.…Read More Only people in Staten Island and in certain places in Rockaway will be bought out. Sorry, if you don't want to fix up your shack, Shokrian and other opportunistic developer sharks are circling you to buy your shack for 60 cents on the dollar. Sell! Sell! Sell to these sharks or fix it up, your choice!
Eddie May 17, 2013 at 10:19 am
Why can't Staples pay for an ad on Patch instead of posting this stuff here?
Eddie May 17, 2013 at 09:14 pm
Then think twice before you vote Democrat, Crystal. The blood will be on YOUR hands if you do.
Crystal G Piatnick May 17, 2013 at 12:18 pm
There is no question about it. Its not a matter of " right to choose" Its a matter of is…Read More abortion murder...I was so upset with the Orient and what they do to cats and dogs... Look what America does to our children...Cuomo will have their blood on his hands....I am not for abortion at all. But aborting the fetus in the third trimester has to be stopped.. Its murder.. These infants r about to be born..
Jonathan Kaplan May 17, 2013 at 10:19 am
I can get you a closet in the West End for only $2000 a month, let me know if you're interested
paul.d.spellman May 17, 2013 at 10:12 am
CMOS, The surfers from out of town come here all year long and add to the economy 12 months a year,…Read More what additional benefit do those people pushing shopping carts full of kid's toys add? Last summer the surfers were give only 1 in 3 beaches and that was base on increased demand, and this year more surfers are expected so it makes sense that more beach be set aside for them, or some kids are going to get hurt and then the city will need to pay for that.
Castles Made of Sand May 17, 2013 at 09:30 am
Paul, after you give us numbers on the "driving" economics of surfers, please tell us how…Read More many surfers come the beach in the summer. Do you know? Or are you just guessing? Your argument that surf shops continue to exist as a result of surfers shopping there is darn near brilliant. I heard a report that supermarkets in town are being solely supported by hungry people. I can't attest to that though. I do know that Empire Kayak is secretly kept in business by Whirling Dirvishes from Instanbul, and not kayakers. But I digress.
Crystal G Piatnick May 16, 2013 at 07:46 pm
I think u r right Joseph. Its really disappointing..:( What the hec r they doing...????? Well they…Read More have 100 days to complete the boardwalk in the middle section. contract started March 12..or the 15th...60 days already and they did nothing...They have 40 more days to complete it. I really hope the town holds them to the contract.. I really do.