Congratulations to the many individuals and organizations who took advantage of the holiday season to bring out the best in the people living on Long Island.
Like every year at this time, there were the bell-ringers standing outside our supermarkets to remind us the less fortunate cared for by the Salvation Army. But there were others whose caring and generosity may have gone unnoticed.
For example, members of the Muslim Community of Nassau County, a group of six Islamic centers, made a pre-Christmas donation of 260 blankets and 300 pounds of nonperishable food to the Long Island Council of Churches to help the needy during the winter season.
Christmas may not have a place on their liturgical calendar, but generosity surely does. We’re particularly impressed by the ecumenical nature of their charity.
“Some of the centers have been doing it, but it’s the first time we’re doing it under the Muslim Community of Nassau County,” said Abdul Aziz Bhuiyan, president of the Hillside Islamic Center in North New Hyde Park.
Muhammed Saleh, chairman of the board of the Long Island Muslim Society of East Meadow said he hopes the drive will “create harmony among the residents of Nassau County. We are all human beings. We are all creations of God.”
Once again this year state Sen. Jack Martins delivered toys collected from communities in his 7th Senate District to the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Hospital Medical Center on Dec. 18 to benefit the hospital’s Creative Arts Therapy Department.
The largest donation came from the Student Service Club at the Herricks School District’s Center Street School, which contributed 250 toys. “The members of the Student Service Club at the Center Street School are outstanding students who always think of others,” said Martins.
A photograph of the students that ran in last week’s paper showed just how much joy they got from the chance to help other children. It’s a lesson every bit as important as math.
These, of course, are only a small sample of the spirit of generosity that shines so brightly in Nassau County. We thank everyone for their acts of kindness large or small.
