HAPPY MEAL/BACKPACK DRIVE

     Helping Hands in West Islip, Inc., a tax-exempt charity founded in 1990 by Jennifer Gallozzi, is collecting new or gently used backbacks and tote bags containing a few school supplies such as pencils, pens, sharpeners, notebooks, glue sticks, labels and 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 12, 2013 at the American Legion Hall (across from the firehouse). 
     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 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.  Helping Hands has always 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.  (Like us
on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/HelpingHandsInWestIslip) or for more information go to www.freewebs.com/hhinwi
or contact jengallozzi@optonline.net.  Thank you!