The holiday spirit came to Farmingdale on Dec. 10, when 200 children in need eagerly shopped for their favorite items at Walmart during the EAC Network’s annual Gubitosi Holiday Shopping Spree for kids and youth. Children were accompanied by one of over 135 volunteers and received $100 tax-free to spend on their choice of toys, electronics and more.
For the past 15 years, EAC Network Board Member Tom Gubitosi has funded the $20,000 shopping spree with the help of the Marie & Michael Gubitosi Foundation, which honors the memory of his mother, Marie, and brother, Michael, with the goal of directly helping children in need.
“When my mother passed away 15 years ago around Thanksgiving, I wanted to do a one-time event in her honor because she loved children,” Gubitosi said. “There is nothing quite like seeing the ear-to-ear smiles of children who just picked out a toy they’ve always wanted because their families don’t necessarily have the capacity to celebrate the holidays as they would like. I am so thankful to be able to give back and honor my mother and brother in this way.”
Several children who participate in the holiday shopping spree have a parent battling substance abuse or come from a financially struggling family, but most of the children are within the foster care system.
With over 1,000 children living in foster homes across Long Island, EAC Network’s “Chance to Advance” program works to enrich the lives of this underserved population through one-on-one volunteer mentoring.
“I recently applied to mentor with ‘Chance to Advance’ and at the Shopping Spree I was paired with my potential mentee, 9-year-old Sarah,” said EAC Network’s Grants Manager Denise Devlin. “At one point she actually asked if I was a mentor. I said no. She then insisted I would be a great mentor—her mentor—and I told her I agreed. Now, I really can’t wait to officially start mentoring Sarah.”
Anyone interested in becoming a “Chance to Advance” mentor can find out more information at the EAC Network website, www.eacinc.org/chance-to-advance-program or by contacting Angela Curcio at 631-648-2700 or angela.curcio@eacinc.org.
