Supervisor Kate Murray and members of the Hempstead Town Board honored nine women who live or work in the Town of Hempstead for their outstanding contributions to the community at the town’s annual Pathfinder Awards ceremony on Tuesday, March 8.
Sister Christine Sammon of Levittown was among the nine women honored at the ceremony. Community service is an essential part of Sister Sammon’s life. As the Director of Parish Social Ministry for St. Bernard’s Church in Levittown, Sister Christine coordinates countless efforts to reach out to the less fortunate members of our community. Since joining the parish staff in 2003, Sister Christine has provided help for those in need and inspired many people to engage in works of community service. Among her many duties, Sister Christine works with the St. Bernard’s Parish St. Vincent de Paul Society to coordinate outreach efforts. Under her guidance, a very active food pantry serves over 100 Levittown families a week, providing basic food and toiletries.
Actively involved in raising awareness of food insecurity on Long Island, Sister Christine has been featured on two television programs concerning hunger in our area. Sister Christine has helped to set up a “meals-on-wheels” program in the parish as well as a youth group called “Charitable KIDZ” that involves school-age children in community service projects like hosting a senior prom for residents of an assisted living facility and raising money to help communities in need.
Long Island’s own Susan Axelrod, president and founder of Love and Quiches Desserts in Freeport, delivered an inspiring keynote speech. Axelrod has grown her internationally renowned quiche and dessert manufacturing business from a home-based enterprise started in 1973.
“Today’s Pathfinder honorees are shining examples of women who have taken action to help create a better world,” noted Murray. “Each of the women we are recognizing, as well as our keynote speaker, has worked hard to realize dreams and nurture those dreams into shining success stories. They believed in themselves and their vision and overcame challenges to accomplish great feats.”
