__________________ SEAFORD _________________
HERALD VOL. 74 NO. 30
Upcoming Senior Health Expo
Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
Page 10
Page 16
JULY 23 - 29, 2026
$1.00
Where the tiles tell a story Longtime players and newcomers alike find connections in weekly mahjong there when you’re done playing mahjong, but while you’re playing, you’re laughing, you’re The steady clack of mahjong talking, you’re interacting.” Shumsey has been playing tiles echoed through the social hall at Congregation Beth Tik- the game since she was 13, vah on a recent Thursday after- when she learned from the noon as laughter bounced from mothers at her family’s beach table to table. The temple, on club, who taught their daughthe Wantagh side of the Want- ters while they played. agh-Seaford border, hosted “I went to school, I went to around 80 players — some long- college, I got married, I had time regulars, othchildren,” she ers learning the recalled. “But it game for the first was always there.” time — gathered After retiring as not just to compete, a guidance counselbut to catch up with or 18 years ago, friends and make Shumsey began new ones. teaching mahjong, While mahjong and eventually has experienced a started a weekly nationwide resurprogram at her forg e n c e i n r e c e n t LINDA SHUMSEY mer synagogue. years, fueled in part Mahjong host, Beth When she joined by social media, col- Tikvah Beth Tikvah seven orful game sets and years ago, she a renewed interest brought the proin screen-free hobbies, the gram with her. nearly century-old tradition Today, 70 to 90 people fill the has long had a home in Jewish synagogue each Thursday, communities. At Beth Tikvah, depending on the weather. it has become a weekly ritual Shumsey also teaches beginner centered on connection. mahjong and canasta classes, “It’s cheaper than therapy,” and she says demand has only said Linda Shumsey, 75, of Bell- grown. more, drawing laughs from “I’ve had to add a lot more players nearby. “Seriously. Your beginner classes,” she said. problems are still going to be CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
By HUNTER FENOLLOL
hfenollol@liherald.com
Courtesy the Office of Senator Steve Rhoads
Project Thank A Cop founders Maegan and Andy Fox,center right, were joined by State Sen. Steve Rhoads, sixth from left, local officials and community members at the organization’s lemonade stand fundraiser outside Uniquely Yours in Seaford last Saturday. The group’s events raise money to support law enforcement officers, first responders and their families.
Sweet support for those who serve By HUNTER FENOLLOL hfenollol@liherald.com
What began as a simple snack basket for police officers during the height of the pandemic has grown into a nationwide nonprofit with a mission of supporting first responders and strengthening ties between law enforcement and the communities they serve. That mission was on display in Seaford last Saturday, when Project Thank A Cop hosted a lemonade stand fundraiser outside Uniquely Yours Boutique, drawing residents together to raise money for programs that benefit police officers, first responders and their families. The event, hosted by the nonprofit with support from State Sen. Steve Rhoads and his wife, Linda, owner of Uniquely Yours, gave neighbors an opportunity to meet officers, make donations and learn more about the organization’s work. For Project Thank A Cop co-founder Andy Fox, the fundraiser reflects the organization’s belief that meaningful connections
often begin with simple acts of kindness. “We wanted to do something social that would bring kids in touch with police officers,” Fox said. “It was really started as a way to get the community closer through this fundraising event.” Fox and his wife, Maegan, founded Project Thank A Cop in 2020 after seeing police officers face growing hostility during the pandemic and nationwide protests. The couple learned that some officers responding to demonstrations struggled to find places where they could safely stop for food or even take a break. Maegan Fox assembled a basket filled with snacks, drinks and other refreshments and delivered it to a police precinct in Brooklyn. After sharing the gesture on social media, donations poured in. “It took off so fast that we realized that with all of the monetary donations and the food donations, we actually needed to open up a 501(c)(3) just to account for the amount of money that was coming in,” Fox said. Today, the organization operates from an CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
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he’ll tell me mahjong saved her life and gave her a new chapter