The Irish American Society of Nassau, Suffolk and Queens played Santa Claus last weekend to adults in the Rockaways and Island Park.
Bringing Christmas presents to victims of Hurricane Sandy was the latest part of the organization’s hurricane relief effort that has raised more than $6,000 to date. Most of the money was raised at an event earlier this month at the Irish American Society’s Mineola headquarters.
The society’s members have taken an active role in following through by bringing food and other necessities to hurricane victims in South Shore communities.
“We’re trying to help any way we can,” said Patrick Kerins, president of the Irish American Society.
Last week the Irish American Society held a Christmas party where its members brought presents suitable for men and women to be brought to the Rockaways and Island Park on Dec. 22.
On the weekend of Dec. 15, Irish American Society members brought turkey, stew, scones, and other food left over from a party the organization had the night before to Island Park. They also brought Christmas presents for children.
“We must have fed 200 people,” said Betty McLoughlin, past president of the Irish American Society and a member of its board of directors.
The organization’s effort began immediately after the hurricane struck, when members started bringing necessities to South Shore communities, including Breezy Point, with members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. The initial effort was aimed at aiding members of both organizations who had been affected by the storm. But from the start it included all those in the communities that suffered the most serious damage.
“We had to do something,” McLoughlin said. “It gives me such a pleasure. It just makes you feel so good that you’re helping somebody who needs help.”
McLoughlin said the Irish American Society will continue to provide resources in the hurricane relief effort for the foreseeable future.
“This is not going to be over in a week or a month. This is going to take months,” she said.
But McLoughlin said the organization’s main objective as Christmas approached was to make sure that the youngest victims of the hurricane would have presents for Christmas “to put smiles on the their faces.”
She recalled one little girl in Island Park telling her she had written a letter to Santa saying she didn’t think he’d be able to find her this year because her house was gone.
Contributions can be sent to the Irish American Society’s headquarters at 397 Willis Ave., Mineola, N.Y. 11501.
Reach reporter Richard Tedesco by e-mail at rtedesco@theislandnow.com or by phone at 516.307.1045 x204. Also follow us on Twitter @theislandnow and Facebook at facebook.com/theislandnow.
