________ Franklin square/elmont _______
HERALD Teens gather for kindness buffet
Church mothers host garage sale
Meet the vendors at local craft fair
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Vol. 27 No. 20
MAY 15 - 21, 2025
$1.00
Revving engines and reverent hearts: Post 1033 By MElISSA PANIN Intern
Melissa Panin/Herald
Members of American Legion Riders Post 1033 gather in front of the American flag during their 18th annual Bike Blessing barbecue in Elmont, celebrating community, service, and their shared commitment to supporting veterans.
American Legion Riders of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1033 gathered for their 18th annual Bike Blessing Barbecue—a powerful blend of patriotism, community and giving back that was as much about honoring service as it was celebrating life on two wheels. Riders, veterans, families, and community members came together to share food, honor military service, and receive a special blessing for a safe riding season ahead. Attendees stood together for the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a tribute to Prisoners of War/Missing in Action, reflecting on the service members who have not returned home. Kevin Tirman, President of the American Legion Riders in Nassau County, led the ritual. A small round table sat at the heart of the gathering, draped in white ContinuEd on PAgE 11
Home repairs bring hope to a local disabled family By RENEE DeloRENZo rdelorenzo@liherald.com
Rescuing Families, a Franklin Square-based charity that repairs homes for disabled families, has begun major renovations on a disabled family’s home in Valley Stream to better accommodate their needs. On May 8, more than 30 volunteers from the charity and the Keller Williams Legendary real estate agency, of Franklin Square, helped clear furniture, dismantle cabinetry, and line the floors in preparation for the renovations of Douglas Reyes’s home. Reyes, 44, has been partially
paralyzed since he had a surfing accident in the late 1990s. His nephew, Justin Capera, said that a powerful wave crashed over Reyes, severely injuring his spine. He has used a wheelchair ever since. Re ye s ’s f at h e r, L o re n z o Reyes, who lives with him, has Parkinson’s disease, and his mother, Alba Reyes, suffers from severe back pain. Both Lorenzo and Alba are in their late 70s. Capera said that Douglas Reyes struggles with everyday tasks, including eating, bathing and picking things up. He works out with weights and has strong upper body strength, but
his movements remain limited. “He needs a lot of help getting around,” Capera said. “This is exactly why we got Rescuing Families on board to help us.” Three years ago, Capera said, his mother, Jessica Reyes, Douglas’s sister, wrote to Rescuing Families requesting help. The charity responded quickly, and Jessica has maintained contact with one of the organization’s cofounders, Gina Centauro, ever since. Centauro recalled that Jessica Reyes’s letter included photos showing leaks in the ceiling of the Reyes home and holes in the walls left by a previous con-
tractor the family had hired. Jessica also explained that Douglas’s parents were his primary caregivers. “It was just way too much for elderly parents who have their own handicaps,” said Rescuing Families’ other cofounder, Vincent Centauro, Gina’s husband. The Centauros, who are both
licensed contractors, will complete the renovations with help from a number of volunteers and three out-of-state contractors. Last Thursday, Gina, wielding a Nestorbar—a tool invented by Rescuing Families volunteer Mark Slafkovsky, of Pry Guy Levers, that can pry heavy ContinuEd on PAgE 21