Bring Holiday Cheer to Young Hurricane Victims at Malverne Lighting

When Hurricane Sandy's flood waters surged through homes on Long Island's South Shore last month it destroyed many families' property and possessions, including the toys and books inside their children's playrooms.

But as residents in nearby places like East Rockaway, Island Park and Long Beach continue to recover from Superstorm Sandy one month later, replacing these items or shopping for gifts this holiday season is probably the last thing on their minds.

Hoping to bring some joy to these families for the holidays, the Malverne Civic Association is collecting toys and children's books to bring to kids in local communities devastated by Sandy.

The "Malverne Lights The Way Hurricane Sandy Relief" drive will kick off this Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Lighting of Malverne festivities. As families in Malverne enjoy favorite holiday traditions like Breakfast with Santa Saturday morning, Bowling with Santa in the afternoon and ofcourse, the Lighting of Malverne later that night, they are being asked to bring an unwrapped toy or book to donate to the youngest Hurricane Sandy victims

"The residents of Malverne were fortunate enough to weather Hurricane Sandy with our town intact," Malverne Civic President Suzanne Parra Kraemer stated. "Many of our neighbors were not as lucky ... Your generous donations will help our neighbors during what is sure to be a very difficult Holiday Season."

Malverne native Lori Hunt Lang presented the idea for the toy and book drive to the Malverne Civic Association earlier this month at the civic's open meeting. The group embraced the concept and tapped Lang to spearhead the effort. (Lang has also been working with fellow Malvernite Tom Grech to collect monetary donations to distribute to families hit hard by the superstorm through a Facebook page they set up called RepairRestoreRenew the South Shore of Long Island. Click here to learn more about this grass-roots local relief effort.)

To participate in the Malverne Lights the Way toy and book drive drop off donations at the collection boxes at the following Lighting of Malverne events:

• Breakfast with Santa (Grace Lutheran Church 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.; American Legion Hall 10 a.m.)
• Bowling with Santa (San Dee Lanes noon and 2 p.m.)
• Cookie Workshop (Malverne Village Hall)
• Lighting of Malverne Hempstead Avenue (from Malverne Avenue to Park Boulevard)

A collection box will also be located at Village Hall from Dec. 3 to Dec. 14. Any questions? Please call Lori at 516-593-4034