______________ VALLEY STREAM _____________
HERALD Central scores Homecoming win
Local talent shines at NYLIFF
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VOL. 36 NO. 44
OCTOBER 30 - NOVEMBER 5, 2025
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Dever students raise funds by being kind passion and service and would build upon the culture of kindness and belonging at Dever.” The structure of Raise Craze James A. Dever Elementary School has completed its sec- requires students to reach out ond year using Raise Craze, a to family and friends for finanfundraising model centered on cial support. After donations are pledged, the children comacts of service. Rather than selling prod- p l e t e c o m m u n i t y - m i n d e d ucts, students earned donations actions as their way of giving back. These acts by performing acts ranged from simple of kindness in their gestures, like writschool and commuing thank-you nity. notes, to helping The program neighbors or particwas first brought to ipating in beautifithe school by forcation efforts mer PTA Co-Presiaround the school. dents Rosina FusilStudents also conlo and Samanta tributed to letterShaw, according to writing campaigns PTA Co-President for first responders Desiree Fasulo, who and sanitation were looking for DEsIREE FAsuLO workers, collected new ways to engage Co-president, PTA items for a food families. drive and assem“Together with bled care packages Mrs. (Debbie) Kornfeld, Dever’s social worker, they for hospital staff. The PTA reported that stuenvisioned a fundraiser that would not center on selling dents responded enthusiasticalproducts, but align with our ly to the service-based format school’s program, ‘Kindness participating in daily kindness Matters,’” Fasulo said. “What challenges and working collecstarted as an experiment quick- tively to achieve high levels of ly became something magical: a involvement. A rotating GOAT movement that united students, Kindness Trophy was awarded families and staff through comContinued on page 10
By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO
azingariello@liherald.com
R
Angelina Zingariello/Herald
Chamber of Commerce members, village officials, school staff, students and local veterans gathered at Wheeler avenue elementary School to kick off the veterans toiletry drive.
Three-week toiletry drive for veterans in need kicks off
By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO
azingariello@liherald.com
Village officials and members of the Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce are once again joining forces to support local war veterans through a community toiletry drive. Now in its second year, the initiative runs until Nov. 14, and aims to collect basic personal-care items for veterans in need. George Catalanotto, a Vietnam War veteran and member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1790, said “two thoughts come to mind seeing the toiletry drive take place. My first thought is the obvious: Some veterans who may be down on their luck or in need at this time will be getting basic items that will help them feel good about themselves.
“My second thought is that these veterans will once again feel appreciated and that is very special for all vets,” Catalanotto, also a member of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 145, added. Donations are being accepted at collection bins in multiple publicly accessible locations, including the Henry Waldinger Memorial Library, Village Hall and the Valley Stream Pool lobby. The effort officially began on Oct. 22 with a kickoff event at Wheeler Avenue Elementary School. The Chamber of Commerce first spearheaded the drive in 2024 when it identified that area veterans were in desperate need of these essential items, and village officials agreed that it was important to assist in the Continued on page 2
aise Craze isn’t just changing routines — it’s shaping hearts and minds.