East Meadow Resident Honored by Town for His Dedication and Service to Community

With a band of brass and schuhplattlers galore, Town of Hempstead Supervisor Anthony J. Santino kicked off the Town of Hempstead’s first ever German American Celebration. The event was dedicated to recognizing exceptional German American residents who have made a positive difference in their communities while embracing and promoting German heritage and culture. Among the honorees was East Meadow resident and former Levittown businessman Steve Haller.

“As the largest township in America, Hempstead Town boasts quite a diverse population,” said Santino. “We’re taking the opportunity to celebrate many unique cultures of our community. German heritage has been apparent on Long Island for many generations; as such we wanted to honor some truly outstanding German Americans.”

Haller has distinguished himself as a dedicated volunteer for the past 40 years. A 38-year member of the Levittown Kiwanis Club, he served as president of the club and lieutenant governor for the Long Island South Central Division of Kiwanis. He raised more than $200,000 for Kiwanis through raffles and fundraising to help build a permanent home for the organization in Utica.
Through the Peter J. Haller Family Foundation, he coordinated the installation of a handicap accessible pool at Kamp Kiwanis. He has also served as Key Club advisor, helping to guide high school students interested in service to their community. But Haller’s love for children was never more evident than when he served as Santa Claus for special needs children at the Kiwanis Holiday party.
Haller, who owned a successful Minuteman Press in Levittown before his recent retirement, is also a Past President of the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce and was named Man of the Year by the Levittown Chamber of Commerce. He has also received the Newsday Volunteer of the Year Award.
A champion fundraiser, his talents have also benefitted the Levittown 50th Anniversary Committee, Alzheimer’s Foundation and St. Raphael’s Church. In addition, he drives the “Hope Mobile” for St. Raphael seniors who need rides and helped parishioners prepare for marriage by serving as a Pre-Cana and Foccus couple with his wife, Terri.

This year’s honorees include: Geraldine Brand of Floral Park, a dedicated Steuben Day Parade volunteer and insurance fraud investigator; Walt Itgen, proprietor of the famous Itgen’s Ice Cream Parlour in Valley Stream; John Louthan of Lynbrook, firefighter and Vice President of the FDNY Steuben Association; Erik Mahler, Co-President of the Baldwin Chamber of Commerce and community leader; and Alex and Gerhard Schmitt, a married couple from Roosevelt that embody the American dream with their furniture building business.

Photo: Town of Hempstead