Denise Heckleman is a Mineola resident and teacher at St. Francis in Fresh Meadows.
One of her most memorable teaching moments happened outside of the classroom and spurred an event that has raised thousands of dollars for community members going through a troubling time.
When her two kids asked for money to buy their friends presents for the holidays several years ago, Heckleman posed an idea that would stay true to their children’s selfless intentions, but improve it on a larger scale. And just like that, #friendswhogive was created.
“I told them that we should take the money that I usually give them for their friends, pool it together and purchase a gift for someone that needs it more,” Heckleman said. “There is no better way to give gifts and than to spread it around the community.”
Heckleman said she took to Facebook and asked other parents in the area if their children had similar intentions. Other moms immediately flocked to the idea, and the growing initiative has to-date raised over $10,000 in toys, gift cards, and general funds around the Mineola community and beyond since 2017.
“For the first time this past year, New Hyde Park and Garden City Park/Franklin Square also held their own #friendswhogive to support their school districts,” Heckleman said. “I reached out to a former student of mine and a fellow baseball mom, both of whom attended past events and asked if they would hold their own event for their school communities. They loved the idea so much, that we combined between our events, a total of $3,500 was raised this year.”
The Mineola-based donations are spread out between Meadow Drive School, Hampton Street School, and St. Aidan’s School.
Some of the donations also go toward single mothers in a program at Nassau Community College to help them buy baby clothing, food or whatever else is needed, according to Heckleman.
This past year, Heckleman’s children and their friend were walking around the crowd at Mineola’s Memorial Park for a concert series, trying to educate the audience about the event and selling magnets to support the cause.
For each person that donates, they are given a free T-shirt with the #friendswhogive hashtag on the front, along with a steaming cup of hot chocolate.
Heckleman said that she has been grateful for the community coming together over the years and hopes the event continues to grow over the years.
“Events like this are important for parents and children because everyone wants to raise their child to be a good person,” Heckleman said. “Whether it is five dollars or twenty-five dollars, it will still be put towards a wonderful cause for people who truly need it.”
