The Mineola-based nonprofit Family and Children’s Association is prepping for its 135th anniversary Sept. 6 with an event showing off “Long Island’s largest quilt” at the Mineola Athletic Association Baseball Fields.
According to FCA spokeswoman Lindsey Martin, the baseball field where the ceremony is being held is where it all began for the organization back in 1884, when it was founded as a a home for orphaned children.
The organization has grown far beyond its original purpose as an orphanage in Mineola with Martin saying, “Our offices are in Mineola, but we’re a Long Island non-profit.” FCA now offers help for addiction prevention, senior assistance, family services, residential services, and mental health and wellness.
Martin said the organization’s central mission is to “help Long Island’s most vulnerable.”
The Sept 6. ceremony will unveil “Long Island’s largest quilt,” which was created for FCA’s “Safe and Warm, LI’s Largest Quilt Campaign.” Martin said the quilt was signed by the likes of musician Billy Idol, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and actor Ralph Macchio.
The event will also include a recreation of original FCA cookbook recipes by Lessing’s Hospitality Group, a birthday cake presentation by the children of FCA’s Lynn Vanderhall Nursery Co-Op, music by Willow Interfaith Women’s Choir, and an archive display showcasing FCA’s 135-year history
The establishment of the first home in 1884 was the result of a committee created by Louise Schuyler, who also happened to be the great-granddaughter of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, Martin said.
“The committee honed in their attention to the condition of the many little ones who were suffering from the want of proper care during the second half of the 1800s,” Martin said.
In the early months of 1884, Martin said Hempstead resident Kate M. Riddell laid plans for procuring funds and a place with which to care for local children in need. This was the start of FCA.
By Sept. 3, 1884, the community helped raise about $3,290 to find a place for orphaned children to go, Martin said.
FCA’s first home formally opened on June 16, 1885, and by September of the same year, there were 12 children living there.
By March 1886, Martin said, the FCA board began seeking a suitable location for a permanent home to be erected where the Mineola baseball field is today.
The construction of FCA’s first Victorian home began at the site of the current-day Mineola baseball field.
Martin said FCA signed over the property to the Village of Mineola in 1950 on the condition that it would continue to use the site for the establishment of a children’s park, playground, recreational center or any similar type of establishment for the benefit of children.
For more information about FCA, visit www.fcali.org.
