It’s amazing how events can change your perception of things. That is what happened as a result of Hurricane Sandy closing the local schools which changed this year’s Holiday Sharing Program.
For years we have covered the annual collection of food for the Holiday Sharing program the Tuesday before Thanksgiving at the First Presbyterian Church. The organizers from CSAC (the Community Social Action Committee) of the Interreligious & Human Needs Council of Oyster Bay kept telling us about all the schools that each year contributed to the program, but it never came across how vital that part of the project was.
Without the children in the local schools — all of the schools, public, private and parochial — bringing in canned goods and nonperishable items to the First Presbyterian Church — nothing could happen.
We never saw the forest for the trees. We saw the children arriving and packing the boxes, but we saw adults too, bringing in frozen turkeys and checks, so the true center of the program was blurred.
Now with a clearer view, we can truly say what a wonderful program it is, and that it truly reaches into the heart of the community, while teaching a great lesson to the children.
We received an email from Barbara Rakusin, LCSW, ACSW, Youth And Family Counseling Agency of Oyster Bay-East Norwich, executive director, reminding us of the continued needs for the Holiday Sharing Program. She wrote, “If you are interested in adopting a family please contact Ingrid Morales at 922-6867 or email: Imorales@yfcaoysterbay.org.
“As you may imagine the need is even greater this year. It is our hope to make the holiday season bright for our neighbors who are most in need.
“Best Wishes to you and your loved ones for a wonderful holiday and a Happy, Healthy New Year,” she concluded.
We add the same heartfelt wishes to everyone in this warm and caring community.
— DFK.
