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Spreading Holiday Cheer: Henry Schein Donates to Long Island Families

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Henry Schein brings holiday joy to Long Island families

During the “Holiday Cheer” celebration at Henry Schein’s corporate headquarters in Melville, Team Schein welcomed 100 children and their families to a festive evening filled with presents, dinner, games, and music. Additionally, 300 children received gift cards made possible by the Henry Schein Cares Foundation to ease the financial stress many face during the holiday season.

To support the local communities around its headquarters, Henry Schein collaborated with 10 social service organizations from Long Island to identify participating families and children. The organizations include: Bethany House, Espoir Youth Program, Inc., Family and Children’s Association, Family Service League, Hispanic Counseling Center, Madonna Heights, Nassau County Department of Social Services, The Raymar Children’s Fund, WellLife Network, and YES Community Counseling Center.

Farmingdale State College police officers recognized for valor

Image courtesy of Farmingdale State College

The State University of New York Chancellor John B. King, Jr. announced the honorees for the 2024 University Police Awards, the highest accolade from the SUNY Police Chiefs Association. These annual awards celebrate the dedication, courage, and professionalism of officers, investigators, and staff.

This year, Farmingdale State College police officers Ryan O’Donnell and Connor Coghlan were commended for their heroic actions during a stabbing incident at Adventureland Park on Route 110 over the summer. Their swift response not only saved the victim’s life but also resulted in the suspect’s arrest.

Suffolk motorcycle clubs support Ronald McDonald House

Image courtesy of Ronald McDonald House Charities NY Metro

About 100 members of the Suffolk County Harley Davidson Doomstriker and Iron Sights motorcycle clubs participated in the 8th Annual Holiday Motorcycle Ride to deliver toys and joy to families residing at the Ronald McDonald House in New Hyde Park.

The day began with a gathering at Suffolk County Harley Davidson in Oakdale, where participants loaded hundreds of toys onto a trailer before heading west. The group navigated Sunrise Highway and Ocean Parkway, eventually arriving at the Ronald McDonald House. Riders unloaded the toys and brought them inside, where Santa listened to children’s wishes and assisted in distributing gifts.

The motorcycle clubs also presented RMHC NYM with a donation check exceeding $3,000.

Dees’ Nursery brings holiday spirit to U.S. troops overseas

For the 21st consecutive year, DHL Express has delivered hundreds of freshly cut Christmas trees, adorned with ornaments, lights, menorahs, and letters from schoolchildren, to U.S. troops deployed in Djibouti, Kuwait, and Bahrain. This initiative, known as Operation Holiday Cheer, is organized in collaboration with Dees’ Nursery based in Oceanside and various charities from the New York area.

The event commenced this past Monday at Dees’ Nursery, where veterans, local community members, schoolchildren, and Nassau County officials gathered for the celebration, with a special appearance by Santa.

A police motorcade then escorted the convoy from Dees’ Nursery to the DHL JFK Gateway facility for loading onto a DHL 767 aircraft.

Occasionally, Santa Claus requires the help of his motorcycle crew to deliver festive joy.

This year, the joyful occasion took place early at Children’s Hospital Colorado located at Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, where thousands of Harley-Davidson enthusiasts flocked in, donating countless toys throughout Sunday morning and early afternoon.

Hospital officials reported that between 1,500 and 2,000 motorcycle riders participated in the 39th annual Harley Toy Run, organized by Mile High Harley.

No rider on two wheels arrived empty-handed; even local first responders contributed bags of toys.

The toys will be utilized by patients through the hospital’s child life specialist team program across the Children’s Hospital Colorado network.

Diamond and Ace donate toys — Two Harley Davidson riders, known as “Diamond” and “Ace,” approach Children’s Hospital Colorado to donate toys during the 39th annual Harley Toy Run on Sunday, Dec. 8 in Aurora, Colorado.

Noah Festenstein [email protected]

Thousands of Harley Riders Bring Holiday Cheer with Toy Donations at Children’s Hospital Colorado | Denver Metro News — Two Harley Davidson riders, known as “Diamond” and “Ace,” approach Children’s Hospital Colorado to donate toys during the 39th annual Harley Toy Run on Sunday, Dec. 8 in Aurora, Colorado.

Noah Festenstein [email protected]

“Watching the smiles on the children’s faces as they line up is just amazing,” expressed Janet Cook, a Harley-Davidson rider, organizer, and CEO of Big Iron Sports, which owns Mile High Harley.

“Giving back to the community, especially to children who are in need or ill, feels incredibly rewarding—especially around Christmas and the holiday season.”

Numerous families, children, and even a Captain America stood outside as thousands of motorcycle riders, toys on their bikes, waved to the crowd while the children waved back from the hospital windows.

Harley teddy bear rider — A Harley Davidson rider arrives with a teddy bear in tow while donating toys during the 39th annual Harley Toy Run at Children’s Hospital Colorado on Sunday, Dec. 8 in Aurora, Colorado.

Noah Festenstein [email protected]

A Harley Davidson rider arrives with a teddy bear in tow while donating toys during the 39th annual Harley Toy Run at Children’s Hospital Colorado on Sunday, Dec. 8 in Aurora, Colorado.

Noah Festenstein [email protected]

“Often, Harley riders and bikers get a bad reputation,” Cook remarked. “However, the riders here are incredibly generous. They deeply value their community and their shared passion for riding. This is a brotherhood—we collectively aim to do good for our community.”

Leeta Davis, a Harley-Davidson rider who contributed two sets of toys and action figures, shared that participating in the toy drive felt significant, calling it “the best of the best.”

Leeta Davis donates toys — Leeta Davis, a Harley Davidson motorcycle enthusiast, contributes toys during the 39th annual Harley Toy Run at Children’s Hospital Colorado on Sunday, Dec. 8 in Aurora, Colorado.

Noah Festenstein [email protected]

Leeta Davis, a Harley Davidson motorcycle enthusiast, contributes toys during the 39th annual Harley Toy Run at Children’s Hospital Colorado on Sunday, Dec. 8 in Aurora, Colorado.

Noah Festenstein [email protected]

Bob Cuculich, a fellow rider and organizer, mentioned, “The entire motorcycle community rallies for this cause.

“We appreciate what the children’s hospital does for our kids; they perform miracles here daily,” he expressed.

Each rider brings at least one toy, but many contribute more, often arriving with bags brimming with toys, according to Blayke Roznowski, a spokesperson for Children’s Hospital Colorado.

“This extraordinarily generous donation will supply thousands of toys to the patients at Children’s Colorado across all campuses throughout the year,” she conveyed.

“We are immensely thankful.”

The toys will be distributed among a network of volunteers alongside child life specialists within the hospital system. The substantial number of toys donated on Sunday is expected to last until at least mid-next year, Roznowski noted.

Cook, now in her first year not riding in the toy drive, concluded, “There is something truly fulfilling about giving rather than receiving, and I believe that’s the essence of this initiative.”