Nick Taylor, president of Colonial Youth and Family Services, shared a poignant story as a team of volunteers prepared meal baskets to make sure local families weren’t without a Thanksgiving dinner.
Their annual effort was supported by a long list of donors contributing food and funds, and even County Executive Ed Romaine and Legislator Jim Mazzarella stopped by to lend a hand and present a check.
In the Gospel account known as the Parable of the Widow’s Mite, Jesus watched as wealthy worshippers stepped forward to place large sums into the Temple treasury, proudly giving from their surplus. Then a poor widow quietly approached and dropped in two tiny copper coins—an amount so small it barely registered. Yet Jesus told His disciples that she, not the rich donors, had given the greatest gift, because while they contributed what they would never miss, she offered everything she had. Her humble sacrifice revealed the true measure of generosity, exposing the wealthy givers as self-satisfied showmen beside her profound act of faith.
The people of the Mastic-Shirley area, Taylor said, are amazing when it comes to supporting families in need. “On a proportional basis, no other community on Long Island is so generous.”
Reporting for this week’s paper, we were overwhelmed by the number of food drives, giveaways, and outreach efforts from a wide range of community organizations. The Suffolk Police 7th Precinct gave out a thousand meals, and Sheriff Errol Toulon led an effort to provide hundreds more—all made possible through the generous support of local businesses and residents.
At the Sheriff’s headquarters in Yaphank, a steady stream of cars came through as volunteers picked up food to be distributed across the county. They represented groups you rarely hear about but who work quietly behind the scenes to ensure everyone gets to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday, including True North Community Church, Lighthouse Mission, Bethel Church of Bay Shore, New Hour, Cops ’n Kids, and the Urban League. They make sure generosity is on the table with every meal.