Thanks to the kindness of the distributors of Boar’s Head, we will be holding the 5th Annual Share and Care Thanksgiving Feast for those in our communities in need. In years past we have managed to help many families and individuals who would otherwise have nothing to eat and no place to go to enjoy a hot and belly filling meal. Thanks to all of you who have supported us in the past and we look forward to seeing or hearing from many of you again this year. Also, a huge thank you to the parish of St. Patrick’s and her sister parish of St. Rocco’s for allowing us to invade the cafeteria of St. Patrick’s Parish Hall for our fifth year.
We would also like to thank the Councils of the Knights of Columbus, San Patricio and Father Thomas F. Connolly for their help, prayers and support. Many thanks go to the surrounding communities of Glen Cove, Locust Valley, Bayville, Oyster Bay, Sea Cliff and Glen Head, etc., for all the support of their citizens and for the local businesses that have made our efforts successful.
We will be once again holding this event on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 27, from noon to 3 p.m. Those who wish to volunteer and serve can come at 11 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Those who wish to help set up and decorate the cafeteria the night before can show up on Wednesday, Nov. 26th at 6 p.m.
Now, this year we will be throwing in a new wrinkle. We are asking something new from our volunteers. It came to our attention last year that many of our guests are not only in need of a meal, but they are desperate for clothing, jackets, food and supplies for their children, babies and families. Many have no means to get enough to get through the trying winter. We are asking for your help and assistance. Many of our children are in need of community service hours, whether it be for school or religious education or Boy/Girl Scouts. Can you please hold a drive to help us attain these supplies? Or check around your homes for old clothes, but in good condition, because everyone should be allowed some dignity.
The next time you go to a supermarket, buy an extra can of food or toilet paper, diapers, paper towels or whatever you believe might be a necessity for a family. If you go to a clothing store with sale going on a clearance rack, please consider getting something that will help someone who probably has never worn anything new in their life.
This is new for us as well and as many of you are aware, we had too many volunteers last year at set up on Wednesday. However, this year, we will be setting aside a large section at the back of the cafeteria for this new undertaking and help setting it up would be greatly appreciated. If you decide to collect items as mentioned above, please drop them off Wednesday, Nov. 26 beginning at 6 p.m. Although, we will continue to accept donations all through Thanksgiving Day. Desserts, salads and specialty dishes will graciously be accepted as well.
Unfortunately, the need in our communities seems to grow with each passing year and what a wonderful way for us to give thanks, by helping others. We will be helping all of us get an early start on the season of giving and we promise that nothing will go to waste. If we are blessed with an overabundance of supplies, we will happily donate them to the Soup Kitchen, Homeless Shelter and Outreach Programs in the Glen Cove and surrounding areas.
Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to hearing from and seeing many of you.
Stephen Peguillan
