LINDENHURST— CSEA members make it a habit to give back to their communities.
Lindenhurst Central School District Buildings and Grounds Unit members continued that tradition by adopting a family in need for the holidays, a practice CSEA members employed by the district started around 2009.
“Every year, we pick a different school in the Lindenhurst school system so the donations are spread around the district,” said Lindenhurst Central School District Buildings and Grounds Unit activist Stephen Nocella. “We work with the social worker in the school where we want to adopt a family to pinpoint who is the most in need.”
During the past holiday season, unit members selected the family of a student at the district’s Harding Avenue Elementary School.
This year, the unit raised $500, with an additional $400 donated by local business. That makes a total of $900 that activists used to buy items like clothing and toys for the selected family. Most items are purchased for the children of the family.
Members appreciate the opportunity to help make a family’s holiday a bit happier.
“They think being able to help is wonderful,” said Nocella. “When someone in the community is in need, you do what you have to do to help them.”
— Wendi Bowie
Above, Harding Avenue Elementary School workers are very happy to help make one family’s holiday season happier. From left, Harding Avenue Elementary School Social Worker Lisa Botticelli, Lindenhurst Central School District Buildings and Grounds Unit President Robert Brandenberger, unit 1st Vice President Vincent Pierce, daytime custodian Stephen Buffa and Adoptive Committee Chair Thomas Fry.
