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Animals given ‘fur’-ever homes
from places like Oceanside, it can be a 40-minute drive. These events remove that barrier.” The mobile adoption program Single animal lovers, couples and families gathered outside the began modestly in 2005 with two Petco on Long Beach Road last Fri- repurposed RVs, Angioletti said. day as the North Shore Animal Today it operates modern mobile League of America took its mis- units and partners with shelters sion on the road, hosting a mobile throughout New York, New Jersey and Connecticut to pet adoption event host regular offsite designed to give resevents. cue animals permaWhile some critics nent homes. question mobile T he Oceanside adoptions, Angioletti stop was one of dozsaid the reality is far ens that are held each from impulsive decimonth by the sion-making. NSALA, one of the “These aren’t largest and longestspontaneous adopfunctioning no-kill tions,” he explained. animal rescue and “People have already adoption organizabeen thinking about tion. Founded in 1944, adding a pet to their the Port Washingtonfamily. They follow us based nonprofit has on social media, or saved more than 1.2 see an event listed million dogs, cats, and realize we’re puppies and kittens, right down the block. with a mission cen- ANTHONY That’s the opportunitered on rescue, nur- ANGIOLETTI ty they’ve been waitturing, adoption and Senior director of ing for.” education. offsite programs, NSALA’s mobile For Anthony Angiunits not only feature oletti, the organiza- NSALA animals from its own tion’s senior director of offsite programs, the mobile rescue program, but are also adoption model has been a corner- loaned to partner shelters strugstone of that mission for two gling with overcrowding and limited resources. By working collabordecades. “The goal was simple — bring atively, the organization helps the animals to the people,” Angio- move animals out of high-risk letti said. “Not everyone can make environments and into adoptive the trip to Port Washington. Even CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
By ABIGAIL GRIECO
agrieco@liherald.com
W
Courtesy Amanda Ruderman
Smart cookie at work Girl Scout Elizabeth Ruderman, 9, has already sold about 100 boxes of cookies this season and is aiming high, with a goal of reaching 1,000 by the end of the selling season in March. Elizabeth, a member of Island Park Troop 2005, and two of her sister scouts from Island Park and Long Beach are among the top cookie sellers in the Island Beach Girl Scout Unit. Story, more photos, Page 11.
Laugh-out-loud event raises funds By ABIGAIL GRIECO agrieco@liherald.com
Laughter filled the Oceanside Library well past closing time on Jan. 24, as the Friends of the Oceanside Library hosted “Oceanside Library After Dark,” a sold-out, adults-only comedy night that raised funds for a new children’s literacy initiative. The fundraiser, held in the library’s theater, featured a lineup of six comedians — Carla Oakerson, Rob O’Toole, Dan LaRocco, Mike Keegan, Richie Byrne and Tony Iovino — and was hosted by LaRocco, a longtime stand-up comedian and producer. The event sold more than 150 tickets, making it effectively a sellout.
Proceeds from the evening will benefit the Friends, a nonprofit organization that supports library programming and community initiatives. “This was really about bringing people together for something fun while supporting a worthwhile cause,” Iovino said. “People laughed, everybody seemed to have a really good time, and the Friends raised some meaningful funds.” Iovino said the funds raised will support a new Story Walk installation at Oceanside Park, purchased by the Friends and donated to the Town of Hempstead. The library will rotate children’s books along the walking path, combining literacy with outdoor recreation. “What they raised that night essentially paid for the Story Walk,” Iovino said. “It’s a dollar-for-dollar CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
e’re not just placing animals — we’re making matches. Our goal is a positive, lasting experience for the adopter and the animal.