5th Annual Turkey Drive Teams Up BFCU and Island Harvest to Help Thousands of LI'ers

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” ~ Paul, Acts 20:35 NIV

For as many years as I can remember, my husband and I have donated to those who are less fortunate than ourselves. We may not have much, but from what we have been given, we choose to share with others. It’s the act of giving that truly helps us to feel at one with the rest of the human race. It also feels pretty darned good to help someone else.

Which is why, when we made our yearly pilgrimage to Bethpage Federal Credit Union today for their 5th Annual Bethpage Turkey Drive to benefit Island Harvest, I felt the need to write this piece for the volunteers who worked at the drive, as well as for those who deserve a special salute for what they gave. They not only gave the gift of themselves, but they spearheaded efforts to help the less fortunate. Hats off to those extraordinary individuals - they make our world a better place.

The annual turkey drive that BFCU sponsors has quickly become the largest food drive on Long Island. Last year’s efforts brought in about 12,000 turkeys and sides. As of noon today, over 800 turkeys had been collected, which meant that 800 families would benefit from the generosity of Long Islanders.

Randi Shubin Dresner, President and CEO of Island Harvest, was on hand to accept donations, as well as to offer commentary and first responder perspective of Long Island’s continued hunger needs, including which towns are still most in need. According to Randi, “Events like this are really important for us, because it allows us to work with companies like Bethpage Federal Credit Union, who care about the community and serve as a model for other companies, to understand how it reflects back on your company when you give.” Randi’s hopes today were realized; 1500 turkeys were donated, along with 13,000 pounds of nonperishable food items. Not too shabby!

B103 was present to spin tunes, as residents dropped off their donations. Members of the credit union greeted all donators, and Optimum offered “goodie bags”, filled with drink cups, “injection” pens with the “Nurse Jackie” logo, mints, and lip balm. News 12 had a table as well, with nylon bags filled with cups and other fun objects. I’m a big fan of toys, so I was pretty stoked to get myself yet another reusable bag. A booth with information from Island Harvest was available, and students from LIU Post helped to fill boxes and load the Island Harvest truck. Post Pioneer Spirit was alive and well!

Robert Eslick, executive director of Kids Helping Kids, donated about $4,500 worth of new clothing for victims of Hurricane Sandy; the organization, which is based out of Old Bethpage, donates to INN, EAC, the Salvation Army, NCSS, C.A.S.A., and the First Baptist Church of Westbury as well as other organizations on Long Island to help those less fortunate. On December 11, Kids Helping Kids will host a holiday benefit gala at Oheka Castle; the organization has distributed $1,400,000 in branded winter apparel to these and other agencies, and plans to distribute an additional $400,000 in donated winter apparel for the 2013 holiday period. Proceeds from the gala will be used towards the “Kids of Distinction” scholarship program, which was established in 2005 in partnership with the Town of Oyster Bay. As Island Harvest volunteers opened the boxes to reveal hoodies, jeans, and other forms of winter apparel, I couldn’t help but get a warm and fuzzy feeling.

Other corporate donations included thousands of pounds of canned food by Goya, as well as 150 turkeys that were donated by Unitrends, USA. Gabrielli Trucks rounded out the corporate tally with 34 turkeys donated. It’s all about community helping community.

Union 1102/RWDSU clinical coordinator Nancy Ventimiglia was available Friday afternoon to support the Island Harvest event at Bethpage Federal Credit Union. The union has donated since the inception of the turkey drive, and this year, they donated eight entire Thanksgiving Day meals, “from soup to nuts”, which will benefit eight Long Island families. The union has also donated gift cards along with the meals, in order to assist those struggling to make ends meet. Union 1102/RWDSU represents department stores like H & M, as well as colleges like LIU Post. Ventimiglia said that they were honored to be able to help in an event like this, as it shows how the community really pitches in to assist with the needs of those who truly require it.

There are over 300,000 Long Islanders who are in need this year. This is an unprecedented high; one year after the storm, fellow Long Islanders are still facing financial hardship. Last year’s turkey drive by BFCU was expanded to support the victims of Hurricane Sandy; since there is still such an enormous need, Long Islanders interested in donating are being asked to donate frozen turkeys, non-perishable food items and cash.

If you were unable to donate today to this wonderful event, take heart. Any of the 24 BFCU branches will be accepting donations of non-perishable items. Still want to donate that turkey? On November 23 from 11 am to 1 pm, there will be a second turkey drive at Stony Brook University, just outside the Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium, where the Stony Brook Sea Wolves game against the Albany Great Danes will commence at 1 pm. Randi Dresner said of the event, “Last year’s Turkey Drive took on increased meaning as we worked tirelessly to expand the event to become a turkey, emergency food and relief effort for those impacted by Superstorm Sandy. Countless Long Island families continue to struggle through economic uncertainty and many more are still dealing with the effects of the storm. Thanks to the continued support of Bethpage Federal Credit Union, Cablevision, Connoisseur Media and generous Long Islanders, the holidays will be a bit more hopeful for our neighbors in need.”

Since the first BFCU Turkey Drive in 2009, hundreds of volunteers from the community have come forth to assist in the collection of over 20,000 turkeys and 50,000 pounds of food. Island Harvest has seen an increase in the requests for food and support services among the 570 community-based agencies it serves. About 70,000 individuals receive food assistance from Island Harvest each week. Hurricane Sandy has caused those numbers to increase; unprecedented requests continue in her wake.

Today’s event ran from 7 am to 6 pm and took place at the main branch location at 899 South Oyster Bay Road in Bethpage. Smiles were abundant; I don’t think I saw one person with a frown on their face. As cars pulled up to the make-shift drive-through for donation drop offs, donors were greeted with a cheerful grin and a goodie bag from Optimum. Everyone present seemed genuinely thrilled to be there; I think that’s what warmed my heart the most.

Knowing that I’m helping a family in need is one of the greatest joys I have ever experienced. Knowing that there are fabulous people out there, like Randi, Bob, Nancy, and all the volunteers present, makes me hopeful for our future. For as long as there are people who care, the light continues to burn with the power of love.

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For more information about Island Harvest, please visit their website at www.islandharvest.org. If you would like more information about Kids Helping Kids, please email them at happykidsclub@aol.com. All donations are 100% tax deductible. For more information about this event or any other events sponsored by BFCU, please visit their website at www.bethpagefcu.com. For a complete list of Bethpage branches, please visit www.lovebethpage.com.