Carl Lalena, age 89, was honored as an outstanding senior at the Town of North Hempstead Senior Recognition Luncheon held at Harbor Links. To know Carl Lalena is to know that he accomplishes more in a day than most do in a week. He is a whirling dervish who gives tirelessly to those in need in Port Washington.
When Carl lost his beloved wife, Jean, over ten years ago, he thought he might roll up his sidewalk and button down the shudders. Fortunately, his wise brother John Lalena, and good friend, Jerry Rudnick, knew better and suggested that he get involved in community service. Carl rolled up his sleeves, got busy, and has volunteered countless hours in the service of others.
On any given day, you can find Carl cooking and baking at home, preparing meals for the sick and disabled members of Our Lady of Fatima Parish. He accompanies challenged teenagers to the Ronald McDonald House where he teaches them how to bake muffins and prepare baked ziti for the families staying there with seriously-ill children. Every month he travels to the Rosemary Kennedy Center in Bellmore and teaches a class of challenged students how to make pizza or cookies. To these grateful students, he’s known as “Uncle Carl.” Often he does all of these things in one day – and with a smile and a sense of humor.
In town, Carl now sits on several boards including the Chamber of Commerce, the Senior Center of Port Washington, Project Independence, and the Kiwanis Club of Manhasset-Port Washington where he has served as President.
But what seems to make Carl the happiest is when he is on the front line of helping others. During the holidays, you’ll find him in front of Stop & Shop on a blustery Saturday ringing the Salvation Army bells alongside Schreiber High School Key Club students. When he sees them getting cold, he heads inside and buys them all hot chocolates. He is vital to the success of the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfasts, where he gets the signs up along Main St., gathers all the cooking supplies and starts the kitchen at the crack of dawn. There are too many events to mention, but for years Carl has helped at Helen’s Walk at the Helen Keller Center, Relay for Life, the Lori Strauss Leukemia Foundation Bike Tour, HarborFest, and Project Independence.
At 89 years young, Carl Lalena has the look and walk of a man many years younger. Port Washington has benefited immeasurably from this feisty gentleman who only wants to help because others are in need.
