_________________ WANTAGH ________________
HERALD Boot camp fuels college skills
Connecting school leaders
Seaford driver arrested for DWI
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Vol. 73 No. 34
AUGUST 21 - 27, 2025
$1.00
Four decades of honoring first responders became one of the nonprofit’s first beneficiaries. In the decades since, she has received For Wantagh resident Pame- both financial and emotional la Madison, the New York support from the group. The Police and Fire Widows’ and s e m i - a n nu a l ch e ck s o f t e n C h i l d r e n ’ s B e n e f i t F u n d arrive at moments of need, became a stabilizing force after like helping to pay heating her husband, NYPD Det. Ron- bills in the fall. Also, the orgaald Madison, died of a heart nization’s events — including attack in 1983. annual baseball games, lunThe fund, better known as cheons and holiday gatherings Answer the Call, is now mark- — have kept her connected to ing 40 years of supo t h e r s u r v iv i n g porting families of families. N Y P D , F D N Y, “It’s a reminder PA P D a n d E M S that they still care, members who have that they always died in the line of care,” Madison duty. Founded in said. 1985 by baseball Answer the Call legend Daniel not only of fers “Rusty” Staub, the PAMElA MADISoN financial assisnonprofit has tance, but it also Wantagh resident and helped more than creates a sense of 1,000 families and beneficiary of Answer community among d i s t r i bu t e d ove r the Call those who’ve suf$180 million in fered a similar loss, financial assistance. offering a space where families Madison’s husband died just can share stories and create months after he was promoted new memories. For Madison’s to detective, at age 37, leaving family, the annual baseball the 34-year-old widow to raise game has been a highlight for their four young children years. Last year, her youngest alone. The organization has grandson, Michael, was invitbeen a pillar of strength for ed to throw one of the first Madison since its earliest days. pitches. When Staub launched Erica Joyce, of Long Beach, Answer the Call, Madison Continued on page 12
By DARSH MIRCHANDANI
Intern
Mike Monahan/Herald
Knights serve up summer flavor in Wantagh Members of the St. Frances de Chantal Knights of Columbus helped host the Summer Saturday Food Truck Festival at St. Frances de Chantal School in Wantagh on Aug. 9. The weekly festival offered rotating food trucks, outdoor seating, music, and a family-friendly atmosphere. Story, more photos, Page 10.
Empowering citizens through education
League of Women Voters spotlights its community work By CHARlES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
Once a month at the Levittown Public Library, members of the League of Women Voters of East Nassau meet to fill the community in on timely civic issues and provide information on voter registration, empowering residents to actively participate in the democratic process. The league is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to protecting and expanding voting rights while empowering voters through education and advocacy. At its Aug. 13 meeting, the East Nassau chapter — which represents Wantagh and Seaford as well as Bellmore, East
Meadow, Freeport, Levittown and Merrick — focused on the league’s background and its work in the community. According to members, the league does not take positions on or endorse political candidates. Instead, it provides information through candidate forums and advocates for voter registration and turnout. The organization also supports positions related to health, education and environmental issues “It’s a very democratic association,” member Dania Smith said, “and underneath it all is the concept of diversity, equity and inclusion.” Past meetings of the East Nassau chapter have included presentations on a variety of topContinued on page 11
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t’s a reminder that they still care, that they always care.