We received two notices on events that deserve some press. The first is a fundraiser for the children served by the Matthew Fetzer Foundation, the second is a Chinese New Year Celebration in Oyster Bay.
We received an email from Tammy Moore telling about a project of her 12-year-old daughter, Emily Moore, who is having a slipper drive to support the Matthew Fetzer Foundation.
She said, “Emily is relying on the support of her friends, family and community members to achieve her goals in support of this wonderful foundation. The more people she can reach the better the results will be.” If you have any questions, you can reach Ms. Moore at 458-9325.
Emily Moore’s view is, “Don’t let kids with cancer go cold this winter! Support the Matthew Fetzer Foundation Slipper Drive.”
She explained, “The Matthew Fetzer Foundation strives to make the lives of kids with cancer better. The Fetzer family of Bayville lost their son Matthew to cancer at the age of 10. Matthew, who fought cancer for 7 years, wished to give kids with cancer toys year-round. The foundation has collected thousands of new toys brightening the lives of kids with cancer. The foundation has now identified a new need.
“Many of these children can’t afford basic necessities including slippers to keep warm in winter. To help with this challenge, we are holding a slipper drive for Valentine’s Day. We are collecting new slippers for children with cancer. The slippers should be new and unwrapped and can be in any size. We also accept monetary donations. The deadline for the slippers and donations will be Feb. 7.”
The slippers will go to children at Cohen Children’s Medical Center, Winthrop University Hospital and the New York Columbia Presbyterian Hospital Children Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant units.
Slippers and donations can be dropped off at Village Gourmet Deli (19 Summit Street) and at 72 Simcoe Street, Oyster Bay. Any people who drop their donations/slippers off at the Village Gourmet Deli will receive a free cup of coffee.
Their motto is: “These kids need your help. Put yourself in their slippers and donate today.”
The second event is an invitation to celebrate Chinese New Year. The Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation Long Island branch, together with Tzu Chi Academy Long Island, will be hosting their annual Lunar New Year Celebration in Oyster Bay High School on Sunday Jan. 29 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The program includes the traditional Lion dance, student performances, kung fu, Chinese yo yo, and folk dance. Festive Lunar New Year children’s games include: stilts, paper folding, New Year scrolls (calligraphy), bouncy ping pong, etc. In addition, there will be gourmet vegetarian foods; a Tzu Chi cultural exhibition; Jing Si Café; books; and a charity bazaar.
Tzu Chi Long Island will collect donations in returnable bamboo banks; as well as promoting Tzu Chi USA’s latest “Power of 5” campaign. By joining, you will support children in low income families, orphans in South Africa, kids in Haiti, as well as provide hot meals for the homeless. Those who sign up for Power of 5 on Jan. 29 will receive a special prayer crystal. Admission is free. Oyster Bay High School is located at 150 East Main Street, Oyster Bay. For information, please call Tzu Chi Academy, Long Island Principal Ted Lin at 718-697-1686, or Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation Long Island branch at 873-6888.
We have attended several of the Tzu Chi Academy Chinese New Year Celebrations and they are a wonderful look into an ancient and revered culture. We’ve met many Oyster Bay-East Norwich families taking advantage of this cultural event to look into the culture of the school, which meets regularly at the Oyster Bay High School.
Just think – we sit back and the world comes to our doors. Welcome the larger world into our hearts.
– DFK
