By David Gordon, News Editor
Helping Hands is an organization created to perform community service tasks, among them, visiting and helping both the very young and elderly, as well as holding on-campus events, such as a Mocktail Cocktail Party, which benefitted victims of domestic abuse.
The first Sunday of every month, Helping Hands travels to the Parker Institute for Healthcare and Rehabilitation in New Hyde Park. “One morning we did karaoke, this past time, we made holiday cards with them [the residents of Parker],” Friedman said.
The first two Wednesdays of the month, the organization volunteers at Chatzilu, a food pantry based at the Mid Island Y/JCC, where they sort food. The other Wednesdays, they volunteer at the California Avenue School with the kindergarten classes.
“They have issues at recess with bullying and fighting. We’ll often go to the recesses and teach community games like foursquare and hopscotch,” she said. In the spring, the organization plans to participate in Relay for Life, as well as get involved with a Boys and Girls Club.
“I got involved because I did a lot of community service in high school,” said Janelle Guenette, the public relations specialst for the group. “I find that a lot of people who come to our group have done that in the past. We’re also looking for more people to get involved.”
In order to find out more about the program, contact [email protected].
Members of the Helping Hands organization pose with senior citizens at the Parker Institute for Healthcare and Rehabilitation in New Hyde Park. (Photo courtesy of Helping Hands)
