Commack Woman’s 1st Day At Long Island Cares Brings Surprise Reunion

COMMACK, NY — Nicole Kalman’s first day at Long Island Cares came with more than a new job title. It also brought an unexpected reunion years in the making.

Kalman, 27, of Commack, said she joined Long Island Cares as an events coordinator to find work with a deeper sense of purpose.

“I was looking for a nonprofit where I could have a little bit more of a 'why' behind working a nine-to-five,” she said.

While touring the Long Island Cares facilities on her first day, Kalman spotted a familiar face in the warehouse. Bayport resident Gerard Campanelli, one of her former teachers at Plainview–Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School.

Kalman had Campanelli as a teacher twice, first in 10th grade global history and again as a senior in a course called Facing History and Ourselves.

Because of the connection they built during high school, Kalman asked Campanelli to write her college recommendation letter. She later attended SUNY Oswego, where she graduated in 2021 with a degree in Communications and Social Interaction.

Kalman said she and Campanelli had remained loosely connected after graduation through Facebook, but seeing him in the warehouse on her first day at Long Island Cares still came as a surprise.

Campanelli, who taught for 35 years before retiring, joined Long Island Cares during the pandemic and has become a regular volunteer at the organization’s warehouse. Kalman said he is one of the nonprofit’s most dedicated volunteers.

“He’s here all the time,” she said.

In the years since graduating from high school, Kalman has built a career in communications and events. Now, she finds herself helping support a nonprofit mission alongside a former educator who once helped her take her next step.

In her new role, Kalman has already helped coordinate a volunteer appreciation event at Long Island Cares. The event recognized volunteers who met certain service-hour criteria.

Kalman said that while she has only been with the organization for a few months, her colleagues told her the event was a success.

Next, Kalman said she is looking forward to helping with more events, including a donor appreciation event and the organization’s 5K Paws Walk at Belmont Lake State Park. The event benefits Long Island Cares’ pet pantry.

“We need our donors just as much as our volunteers,” Kalman said.

Kalman said the 5K walk includes dogs and supports the organization’s pet pantry.

Kalman, who has lived in Commack for about a year, said the reunion was meaningful not only because Campanelli had been one of her teachers, but because it showed how people can continue giving back in different stages of life.

“He has brought a few other teachers who have retired as well, so it's just really nice that he spent so many years teaching and helping in that sense, and that he still wants to give back in a way,” Kalman said.