Friday, November 1, 2024
Vol. 84, No. 44
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SERVING BETHPAGE, OLD BETHPAGE, AND PLAINVIEW
Collecting DVDs for troops
BHS student remembered with tree planting ceremony BY GARY SIMEONE
The Town of Oyster Bay is collecting DVDs for troops deployed overseas. The Town of Oyster Bay, in partnership with Massapequa-based “Big Hy for Heroes,” will be collecting DVDs for those deployed and serving overseas in the United States Armed Forces, as well as movies for children’s hospitals. Donations will be accepted during the month of November and then delivered to Chaplains, Commanding Officers, Sergeant Majors and Sergeants around the globe to distribute to troops and arrange movie nights this holiday season. Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino stated, “The Town of Oyster Bay is proud to partner
with Big Hy for Heroes for our Annual DVD Collection Drive and send thousands of DVDs to troops serving around the globe as well as to children receiving care in local hospitals. Help support these brave men, women and children by donating DVDs.” The Big Hy for Heroes organization was founded in 2002 by Massapequa resident and WWII veteran Hyman Strachman who, along with his son Arthur Strachman, personally began sending DVDs to U.S. troops overseas. Over the years, Big Hy for Heroes has shipped hundreds of thousands of DVDs all
around the world and continues to do so today. Exciting, suspenseful, comedy and classic DVDs are among the most requested by the troops for movie nights. Children’s movies are needed for local hospitals. Residents can donate DVDs at any of the following locations, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.: • Town Hall North – 54 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay • Town Hall South – 977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa
A touching tribute to a former Bethpage High School student who died earlier this year, took place last Tuesday in front of the schools main entrance. A tree planting ceremony was held for Hannah Faith Diamond, who passed away earlier this year from ulcerative colitis. The ceremony, which also featured a newly installed plaque of Hannah on the school grounds, was attended by her family, High School principal, Nicholas Jantz and several teachers, administrators and students in the district. Hannah’s mother and father, Ilissa and Jason, twin brother, Brandon and her grandmother, Sandy Pinkus attended the
touching ceremony to plant a pink magnolia tree outside of the school. “My daughter Hannah was a loving, caring person, who always had a smile on her face, and was a tough and brave warrior right up until her final days,” said her mom, Ilissa. “Her disease did not stop her from anything she put her mind too, and in fact made her a stronger person.” Her mother said her fourteen year old daughter was beloved by her family, friends and the whole Bethpage community. “Hannah loved basketball, participated in Girl Scouts and was part of the Stage Crew, Art club and SPEC Club at the high school. She was always passionSee page 10
For more information on the DVD Collection Drive for U.S. Troops and local children’s hospitals, please call (516) 624-6380.
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Members of the Bethpage High School community gathered to plant a pink magnolia tree in memory of Hannah Faith Diamond
5th graders connect through poetry PAGE 4 Red Ribbon Week in the schools PAGE 8