INCORPORATING THE WEST HEMPSTEAD BEACON VOL. 75 No. 28
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Elected officials and media figures throw support behind the Hempstead Chamber Expanding busines-oriented group has membership reaching 180 Singer, songwriter, and educator Shelene Thomas, who has contributed vocals to albums of Jennifer Lopez, Celine At the June 25 regular membership Dion, and Whitney Houston, delivered a meeting of the New Greater Hempstead lovely moment to the meeting when she Chamber of Commerce, before a crowd performed a recent original piece of her of Chamber members and prominent fig- own. And Edward Lamson, a principal at ures, President LaShawn Lukes revealed that Chamber membership has grown real estate advisory firm BJH, walked the listening crowd through a summafrom 42 members to 180. Taking part in the meeting were five tion of the Hempstead Downtown Revielected officials: New York State Senator talization Initiative, which he is heading. Siela Bynoe, Assemblyman Noah Bur- Noting that Lukes sits on the DRI Comroughs, Nassau County Legislator Scott mittee, he said that, under her leaderDavis, Hempstead Mayor Waylyn Hobbs, ship, “The Chamber members come out Jr., and Hempstead Village Trustee Wil- to the meetings. They are really there for liam Whitaker. the community and they have your Former New York State Governor back.” David Paterson, too, arrived to articulate The words spoken by the elected offihis support for the Chamber and its lead- cials echoed their commitment to super. porting the Chamber. Two 2025 candidates for “The spirit of the organioffice, Joe Scianablo (runzation is new, based on how ning for Town of Hempstead Dr. Lukes is leading it,” said supervisor) and Viviana Bynoe. “We are connected, Russell (running for Legislaand as the Chamber motto tive District 2), also offered says, it’s about strengthentheir endorsement. ing communities and busiProminent media personness, and not just for onealities also weighed in. way interaction.” The meeting’s keynote As examples of what she speaker was no less a figure ELAINE PHILLIPS meant, Bynoe told how she than Ralph McDaniels, the Nassau County was able to help a Chamber Brooklyn-born inventor and Comptroller member sur mount the creator of Video Music Box, administrative challenges a vast archive of over 20,000 hours of of bringing a new business to a grand hip-hop music and culture. Himself the opening, and how Bynoe herself had creator of hundreds of videos, McDan- called Lukes regarding a homeless iels encouraged the networking that is child’s need for laundry services, which accelerating through the Chamber. Lukes quickly found through her ChamThe emcee for the evening was James ber connections. Hodge, a digital content creator who Paterson was equally emphatic. hosted a gospel radio show for over a “I think the purpose for being of decade at WGGB 1240 AM, under the being in the Chamber,” said Paterson, “is nickname “Boy Wonder.” COntinued On Page 2
By REINE BETHANY
Special to the Herald
Alice Moreno/Herald
the Kiwanis Club of east Meadow held its first Kids day on June 28, kicking off summer while raising funds for scholarships. Kiwanis members and volunteers welcomed those to the event held at east Meadow High School.
Kicking off summer at Kiwanis ‘Kids Day’ East Meadow community unites for fun-filled event at high school By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com
The Kiwanis Club of East Meadow’s inaugural Kids Day brought fun, laughter, and community spirit to East Meadow High School, raising money for scholarships for graduating high school seniors. The family-focused fundraiser on June 28 offered two lively sessions filled with food trucks, face painting, bounce houses, and guest appearances from popular characters including those from “Star Wars” and “Bluey.” All proceeds from ticket sales went to the East Meadow Scholarship Program. The Eden II Program, a school for students with special needs, the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce, and Club Pilates served as the event’s three main sponsors. Melody Schiller, president of the Kiwanis Club, said the fundraiser was created to support the club’s educational initiatives. “We’ve been noticing that our scholarship fund has been dwindling, unfortunately,” she said. “It’s the first day of summer vacation, and this gives the kids a way of having fun while doing something to help the future of their community. While they’re bouncing and having fun,
they’re putting into their own scholarship funds for later years.” Schiller added that the day was not only about fun but also about teaching kids the value of giving back. “Our kids are our leaders of the future, and that’s what Kiwanis is all about,” she said. “It’s building leadership in kids who understand paying it forward and helping others.” Taleen Krug, a committee member who helped organize the event, said she hopes Kids Day becomes a tradition in the community. Some attractions were made possible through the support of local organizations. “East Meadow is really unique in the fact that we have a lot of community organizations that all come together and do things like this for the community, free of charge and or at minimal cost,” Krug said. “It’s all about the kids.” Mitchell Allen, a past Kiwanis Club president, was key in planning the event and said he’s hopeful it will become an annual fixture. “Our club gives out $6,000 worth of scholarships to high school seniors every year, and we’ve done this for as long as I can remember,” Allen said. “It’s probably longer than I’ve been a member of the COntinued On Page 7
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t’s important for government to be here because it’s all about us working together.