HELPING HANDS HAPPY MEAL/BACKPACK DRIVE

Helping Hands in West Islip, Inc., a tax-exempt charity founded in 1990 by local resident Jennifer Gallozzi, is seeking donations of new or gently-used backpacks and tote bags containing a few school supplies such as pencils, pens, sharpeners, notebooks, glue sticks, labels and scissors, to get underprivileged children ready for the upcoming school year.  Donations can be dropped off any time before 9:30AM on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at the American Legion Hall, 340 Union Boulevard (across from the firehouse), West Islip.

Also needed are decorated bags or lunch boxes containing non-perishable breakfast/ lunch items such as granola bars, cereal boxes, fruit cups, fliptop tuna, crackers, soups, juice boxes, and maybe a little toy, for distribution to summer programs and soup kitchens for children who are provided with free lunches during the school year. 

            Helping Hands was begun in 1990 by Jennifer Gallozzi to serve the needy people of Suffolk County, especially the children.  Today it serves over 22 local organizations and any families referred to them.  Last year, more than 100 backpacks were given to various groups, children’s centers and local families.  While Jennifer and her volunteers may not be able to change a child’s life circumstances, they can give them happy moments through gestures of love and caring, one smile at a time.  And since 1990 Helping Hands has operated on a zero budget and survives solely through the generosity of the public.  It is always in desperate need of supplies such as candy, tape, brown lunch bags and large trash bags. Please consider running a bake sale or carwash or even a home party and donating the proceeds.  The public is our only source of income.  More information can be obtained at www.freewebs.com/hhinwi or jengallozzi@optonline.net.  Thank you!