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New Eagle Scouts welcomed by Troop Oceanside residents earn highest rank By ABIGAIL GRIECO agrieco@liherald.com
Courtesy of the Manna Project
donna Magdalen, left, a local resident, stands with Yvette Hester, president of the Manna Project of Long island, during the organization’s annual Free toys & Food giveaway at First Baptist Church in Lawrence on dec. 20, 2025.
Monthly Farm-to-truck food at Freeport church The Manna Project of Long Island has tackled hunger for five years By MOHAMMAD RAFIQ mrafiq@liherald.com
The Manna Project of Long Island, a food-relief nonprofit founded during the Covid-19 pandemic, is planning a farmto-truck food distribution at Zion Cathedral Church of God in Christ in Freeport — an effort organizers hoped will become a monthly presence for residents facing food insecurity. Yvette Hester, The Manna Project’s founder and president, said her Nassau County-based organization has operated since 2020, expanding from a small, community-based food assistance service into a high-volume pantry model that connects families with both groceries and support services. Describing the group’s approach as broader than a traditional pantry model, Hester said The Manna Project could also connect residents with housing resources and other forms of assistance.
“We’re a food pantry,” Hester said. “We not only provide food, but we provide other services that families need, like we have resources to help people with SNAP and different things like clothing and (heat), insurance.” The planned distribution at Zion Cathedral, at 312 Grand Ave., will be conducted through a partnership with Long Island Cares’ farm-to-truck program. The date is still being finalized through church scheduling protocols, Hester said. While the organization is eyeing early February for a first event, she said the organization expects to confirm a schedule after an upcoming meeting with Zion leadership. “It is going to be an ongoing thing,” Hester confirmed. Greg DeLauro, Long Island Cares’ far m-to-truck coordinator, said the model is designed to provide fresh produce in a way that feels more like shopping than a typical distribution line. COntinued On Page 3
In a ceremony marked by tradition, reflection and praise for service, Troop 230 formally elevated three young men from Oceanside to the rank of Eagle Scout at St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church on Jan. 3 — an achievement reached by a small percentage of Scouts nationwide. Nicholas Bozek, Maxwell Greenberg and Connor Jaffe were honored during an Eagle Scout Court of Honor attended by family members, fellow Scouts, troop leaders, clergy and elected officials. Eagle Scout is the highest rank that could be attained, with only about 4 percent of Scouts earning the distinction since Scouting’s inception in 1912. Troop 230 Scoutmaster Harold Gerry opened the ceremony, welcoming guests and underscoring the meaning of each rank. Eagle Scouts, he said, are charged with using their training and leadership not only within Scouting but also in their communities and future endeavors. Michael D’Ambrosio, representing Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, addressed the audience and praised the honorees for their commitment to service. D’Ambrosio, who also serves as president of the Oceanside Board of Education, said the Scouts exemplify the values of leadership and selflessness. “These are boys that have turned into men,” D’Ambrosio said. “They go out there and start helping people. They’re not concerned about themselves, but about the community and its outreach.” State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick echoed those remarks, noting the
broader impact of Scouting’s principles. “If everyone lived by the Scout motto, our world would be a better place,” Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick said, adding that the three new Eagle Scouts now serve as role models for younger members of the troop. “They have shown what you can accomplish when you stick to your path and have your families behind you to support you.” Town of Hempstead Councilwoman Laura Ryder and Nassau County Legislator Patrick Mullaney were also in attendance to show their support. A central portion of the ceremony focused on the “Trail to Eagle,” a traditional presentation in which the Scoutmaster and assistant Scoutmaster reviewed each rank achieved on the path to Eagle Scout — Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life and Eagle — lighting candles and explaining the growth, responsibility and leadership required at each stage. The program then shifted to recognize the families of the honorees. Parents joined their sons at the front of the room, where each Scout presented pins to both their mother and father. Gerry explained that the mother’s pin symbolizes comfort and encouragement, while the father’s represents guidance and advice. “Your parents prodded you, taught you, gave you important lessons and gave you a hard time, when necessary,” Gerry said, addressing the Scouts. “This is as much of an honor to them as it is to their sons.” Each Eagle Scout then spoke briefly about his Scouting experience and Eagle project — the community service requirement that stands as the capstone COntinued On Page 3