Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” During this time of the year in which materialism seems to have put a twisted definition on what the holidays are truly supposed to be about, it’s comforting to know that there is still plenty of munificence abounding in the Village of Garden City. The Garden City Hotel, that bastion of five-star lodging recently hosted a pre-Thanksgiving luncheon as a means of honoring a group of veterans, first responders and medical personnel for acts of bravery that have made a difference in the lives of their fellow citizens. Equally heart-warming was the $255,000 raised by Family & Children’s Association (FCA) at its annual gala that will go towards helping needy Long Islanders. Lastly, the girls of Garden City’s Daisy Troop 1175 will be collecting gently used toys for the organization Second Chance Toys, an organization dedicated to keeping plastic toys out of landfills by donating them to children in need. Despite how large or small these gestures may be, it is these acts of selflessness that help keep the flame burning for the true spirit of the holidays and are a welcome respite from the sorrow and controversy the 24-hour news feed seems to be consistently peddling.
—Dave Gil de Rubio
