Due to the destruction of Hurricane Sandy, many Long Island families have had to spend the holiday season away from their homes.
FEMA families staying at the Best Western Mill River Manor in
Rockville Centre got a taste of the holiday spirit Wednesday night, as
the hotel staff threw a holiday party to give the families staying with
them a chance to celebrate the "most wonderful time of the year."
“Most of these people enjoy the holidays at home but unfortunately
could not do it [this year],” Mill River Manor owner Kirit Panchamia
said.
“... We’re bringing all of the people together so they can enjoy
-- that’s what the purpose has been. Let them enjoy the holidays.”
Mill River Manor General Manager Alan Chan said the party was the
least the hotel could do after hearing so many stories of people losing
their houses through the holiday season.
"If you go around the whole entire hotel, you see decorations on
people’s windows for the holidays," Chan said. "If you go into some of
their rooms they have a Christmas tree set up and everything. It’s like
'you know what, the holidays are next week, let’s just do something good
for the people here at the hotel.'"
Mayor Francis Murray was on hand to wish the families a happy
holidays and to welcome them to the Rockville Centre.
Murray encouraged
the guests to take advantage of all the restaurants and parks that the
village has to offer.
Local businesses from around Rockville Centre donated trays of food
and gift baskets to be raffled off as part of a special holiday raffle.
Each guest attending the party received a raffle ticket and was entered
to win.
For many of the families displaced from their homes, adapting to living in a hotel has been quite an adjustment.
“I’m getting used to it,” said Russell, an Island Park resident
staying at the hotel.
“It’s different but I don’t have to make my bed in
the morning. The kids enjoy it. Eventually we’ll get home.”
“I’m still not accustomed to it yet,” Long Beach resident Vivian Lambert said.
“It’s still a work in progress.”
“I have my own little kitchen, I have my refrigerator and my microwave,” Oceanside resident Adriane Hirschorn said. "It’s very, very nice and I have to say that the people downstairs in the office, they’re lovely."
Chan said that about 80 families are calling the Mill River Manor
their home this holiday season with most of the families coming from
places like Long Beach, Oceanside and East Rockaway.
The guests are expected to stay until at least Jan. 13, the FEMA
cutoff date.
After Jan. 13, FEMA will then reevaluate each case and see
if it needs to be extended.
“We have about 80 families that don’t have homes right now and as
they are leaving more are coming in,” Chan said. “Everyday we still get
some calls with people that still need rooms.”
Story by Stephen Fiorentine
Displaced Families Receive Holiday Joy at Hotel Party
Rockville Centre Mayor Francis Murray welcomes the Best Western guests to Rockville Centre Credit: Stephen Fiorentine
Comments + Leave a Comment
Loading comments ...
Boards
All Boards »
john peri Jr May 18, 2013 at 06:12 pm
Eddie, is it possible to put on gloves without touching the exterior of the glove?
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
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 09:12 pm
Don't hold your breath. Leonard's right. Don't count on the government for anything.
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.
Elliot Zuckerman May 17, 2013 at 05:48 am
Paul as a life long resident, the first surfing school in LB and home owners hit hard by Sandy I…Read More thought it was only right to reduce our fee for summer camp.We have had many families here in the same position and just could not afford camp this summer and asked if we can help with local families so we did just that , we will fill up fast so please sign up soon as we do limit our camps to avoid any over crowding.
We also have posted our dates for the ONLY 501c3 special needs surfing foundation in Long Beach, please check out surfersway .org for more info.Its free and open to all special needs kids.
Elliot
paul.d.spellman May 16, 2013 at 07:51 am
Now if we could only get the City to reduce the outrageous fees forced upon the surf schools one can…Read More only imagine how low these prices would go. Does anyone actually know where the fees the schools pay go to?
john peri Jr May 16, 2013 at 11:36 am
Women don't have the right to commit suicide, to become a dope addict, or to sell their body parts.…Read More No one really knows how many post birth murders are being committed. Requiring a camera in abortion rooms would stop post birth murders.
Trying to Make Sense May 16, 2013 at 09:46 am
Eddie, you mislead a lot and lie occasionally. "Gosnell's actions wouldn't be criminal in a…Read More more enlightened state like New York, would they? " Yes, they would be. And you know it. In fact, if the reproductive rights of women were properly respected, pond scum like Gosnell would not take advantage of women whose options are limited and find it difficult to obtain the quality prenatal care and a safe abortion if the need one. I respect your right to be against late term abortion and I am not cheering them on but reproductive rights, control over one's body ought to be protected. And doing so would not only eliminate the Gosnells of the world, but would allow for a full range of services that decrease the likihood that women would face situations that bring them to abortion mills like his.
john peri Jr May 15, 2013 at 01:55 pm
"President Obama’s position on infants who survive abortion is exactly the kind of…Read More position that allows the horrors committed by Kermit Gosnell."
Source:http://www.lifenews.com/2013/04/21/obamas-position-on-infants-born-alive-mirrors-kermit-gosnells/
MAY May 15, 2013 at 08:43 pm
Maybe instead if bitching you should get out there and vote your people into office. It's about…Read More political connections. It could be that the diocese is helping. Tax exempt homes are wrong. Everyone should pay taxes especially when you can afford to send your kids to private school and camp that costs a lot of money however that goes for all people not any specific groups. I can think of a lot of people that got money that probably didn't need it. I know of many firsthand. Did lbc actually apply? That's what I want to know. Find that out first and then start complaining. It may look like on paper they have more money than misivta. Maybe they don't have any, or at least on paper they don't. There are a lot of variables that go into this. Just remember its the politicians who will act in your best interest and that applies to things like this. Get out there and vote.
Kevin LLewellyn May 15, 2013 at 08:09 pm
I'm pretty sure LBCS did not receive much, if any, damage. The building is set up pretty high above…Read More ground level. Maybe that's why.
Crystal G Piatnick May 18, 2013 at 03:06 pm
They said they were going to work 6 days a week 12 hrs a day...ADAAAAAAAAAAA i dont see one…Read More person..not one.. who can find out for us what is going on?????
Tideline May 13, 2013 at 05:04 pm
If he was white, the Media would have been all over this. I am really looking forward to Obamacare.
john peri Jr May 13, 2013 at 09:21 am
This post could cause one to make a further investigation/research before making a decision.…Read More
“If excessive smoking actually plays a role in the production of lung cancer, it seems to be a minor one.” (Dr. W. C. Heuper, National Cancer Institute, quoted in NY Times 4/14/54)
Rachel Caruana May 13, 2013 at 08:56 am
If this info needs to be updated, why is it being posted? Please, like we don't have enough to…Read More worry about!
paul.d.spellman May 16, 2013 at 09:10 am
Fill a bucket up from the sink, be amazed and call Poland Spring.
Paul Carrella May 16, 2013 at 08:57 am
Slightly brown water in the toilest, does not appear to be coming out of the faucets, which I don't…Read More understand.
paul.d.spellman May 14, 2013 at 02:55 pm
Has the anyone investigated whether this could be related to the discharge from the Bay park Plant…Read More and the Goggin Propaganda piece about flushing hydrants is just a blatant coverup?
Eddie May 11, 2013 at 09:46 pm
But she's blessed enough, John to not have to pay taxes to the City of Long Beach.
Trying to Make Sense May 11, 2013 at 05:42 pm
Yet another good reason for people to visit Long Beach and our blessed ocean and food trucks.
Richard Horn May 16, 2013 at 08:45 am
I was wondering who this Ronald was. Thanks. I am also very happy if folks choose to live a…Read More religious lifestyle, but I don't need to be hit over the head with it. My mother in law is deeply religious, and is happy to answer any questions about her belief, but would never foist her views on anyone else. She lives her life and other people can live theirs. And at the end of the day we should all be able to get along somehow.
Charlie Cheswick May 13, 2013 at 11:23 am
Hey, where'd Bobby/Ronald go?! Took his ball and went home?
Trying to Make Sense May 11, 2013 at 08:09 am
So Mr. Cheswick writes, " I view ALL religious fanatics with the same contempt and will…Read More challenge them whenever I can. "Fanatic" being the keyword here." But thats not enough for Bob Jamison (his name for this week). He, defender of the faith that he is, decides that Mr. C must " show us a link to ONE post where you used the type of bigoted language towards Jews & Muslims that you use towards Christians. You can not because you are a Christian hating rat and a moral coward" Oddly Bob, when he is not villifying teachers or surfers and a host of others with his favorite label, POS, feels that Mr. C is a "stone cold bigot" and "Christian hating scum" while he assigns the title POS to every person or group that sees the world a bit different than he does. Methinks Jesus himself would reject your defense Bob. Your perversion of his message might lead him to conclude that you are "a Christian hating rat and a moral" empty suit.
Sea Bee May 17, 2013 at 10:39 pm
That's what they told me in December & January before I cancelled my membership
Kaitlin Coppock Felter May 15, 2013 at 03:52 pm
Thanks for the info! I would join Synergy, but I don't want to pay the initiation fee if there will…Read More be a club opening in walking distance from my apt
Trying to Make Sense May 15, 2013 at 08:32 am
Kaitlin, I was told that the LB location will "open in a few weeks" by a NYSC manager…Read More yesterday. I hope she knows what she's talking about.