______________ VALLEY STREAM _____________
HERALD
Hard to Reach Savings?
Trust the Experts to Go the Distance.
AKIRA opens at Green Acres
Learning about sacrifice
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VOL. 36 NO. 47
NOVEMBER 20 - 26, 2025
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At Andy’s Barber Shop, vets didn’t pay Vargas has many close friends who have served in various branches of the U.S. military. Since 2010, Andy’s Barber These personal relationships Shop has been a fixture on give him a firsthand appreciaRockaway Avenue, serving resi- tion of the challenges and sacdents with quality grooming rifices faced by those in uniservices. But beyond the every- for m. His experiences with day cuts and shaves, the barber- these friends, combined with shop has become a place where his sense of responsibility to community values t h e c o m m u n i t y, and respect for sermotivated him to vice come to life, organize a day to especially on Veterhonor veterans ans Day. through a simple For the second yet meaningful gesconsecutive year, ture: a free haircut. ow n e r A n d e r s o n T he event is Va r g a s h o s t e d a more than groomspecial event at his ing — it’s a symbol barbershop, offer- ANdERSON of g ratitude and ing free haircuts to VARGAS recognition. While veterans in recogniVargas did not keep Owner, tion of their sacrian exact count of Andy’s Barber Shop fices for the counhow many veterans try. This initiative participated, he reflects Vargas’s deep-rooted confirmed that a significant commitment to Valley Stream, number took advantage of the a community he both lives in offer. In addition to the hairand serves professionally. cuts, Vargas purchased food “I’m always thinking about from Ferring Catering and Delmy community,” Vargas said. icatessen in Baldwin to create a “I’m not a selfish person. I’ll warm, welcoming atmosphere always want to see my commu- for those who came. nity grow, and if I can do it in “All the barbers knew, I told any way, I will always do it.” them about it,” Vargas said. “I The idea for the Veterans told them that this is once a Day event stems from more year, and we have to think than just business goodwill. Continued on page 7
By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO
azingariello@liherald.com
Alice Moreno/Herald
Valley Stream honors heroes Despite the cold and wind, community members gathered at the Village Band Shell to pay tribute to those who’ve served on Veterans Day. The event also kicked off the annual Toys for Tots campaign, supporting children in need during the holiday season. Story, more photos, Page 3.
L.I. Cares pantry saw spike in demand during shutdown By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com
As the holiday season approaches, the food pantry at Long Island Cares in Valley Stream experienced a sharp 120 percent increase in patrons between Oct. 27 and Nov. 3. According to the organization, it marked the greatest increase reported across its six pantry locations during that span following the temporary interruption in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. “I think that people think that it’s always for somebody less fortunate, but it really isn’t,” said Nichole Rojas, program center coordinator for West Nassau Center for Food Assistance and
Community Support. “Everybody’s struggling right now on Long Island, and basically, it could be for anybody, and you don’t know anybody’s situation. “There is middle class — there’s everything that comes here, but the main point is to help one another and to keep going,” she continued. “That’s my main concern, and I think it should be everybody’s main concern.” Rojas recalled that the Valley Stream location saw heavy activity in short, concentrated waves. She described the flow of visitors as occurring in spurts, with certain mornings or afternoons becoming extremely busy with little warning. As the number of patrons grew, Rojas relied on her Continued on page 6
I
’ll always want to see my community grow.