Iceland event scores for INN charity

Richard Tedesco

Skaters at Iceland in New Hyde Park combined public service with pleasure on Saturday afternoon, helping to raise money to support the Interfaith Nutritional Network.

Skaters contributed $20 each to join in the effort at the second annual SkateINN event, which was held at Iceland at 3345 Hillside Ave. The event raised $750, according to a spokesperson for the INN.

The event was organized by the INN Youth Advisory Board, which also aimed to recruit new youth board members.

“It’s the youth board’s way of bringing awareness to other youth about poverty and homelessness on Long Island,” said Cynthia Sucich, communications director for the INN.

The youth board is composed of approximately 150 members from 30 high schools on Long Island, said Greg Arning, a senior at Chaminade High School, who is a co-president of the INN Youth Board. 

Arning said he expected 50 members of the INN Youth Board to be at the two-hour event on Saturday afternoon.

The INN is a non-profit organization founded in 1983 to provide support for hungry and homeless people on Long Island by providing food, shelter and long-term housing.

Arning said the objective of the event was “to create relationships between the people on the youth board and to raise money for a good cause while we’re doing it” as well as recruit new youth board volunteers.

 The board members had publicized the event through flyers distributed in their high schools, by word of mouth and through a posting on the INN Facebook page.

“The youth advisory board functions to help people in need. It’s important for young people to know there are people in need,” he said.

Rob Vani, also a senior at Chaminade, said he participates on the INN youth board as a member of Chaminade’s Emaus Society, whose members engage in various social outreach programs.

“It’s a great opportunity to get the community involved and get awareness out there,” he said.

Tatiana Reali, a junior at Sacred Heart Academy who is INN youth board vice president of special projects, said she’s involved “to help out other people and to help others who live in the area.”

Youth board members said they were pleased with the turnout for the event, which exceeded last year’s attendance. Some people also exceeded the suggested $20 donation to participate and purchased tickets for raffle prizes to raise additional funds.

The next INN youth board event is an annual 1.5 mile WalkINN event scheduled for April 20 at Hofstra University. Participant solicit support from sponsors to raise money for the WalkINN.

Sucich said the youth board fundraisers are particularly important to the INN this year, with donations down in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

“One of the issues with Hurricane Sandy, it has affected people who would normally donate to us,” she said, adding that the INN has been receiving more donations of food and clothing as monetary contributions have diminished.

Share this Article