EAC Network's $15,000 Holiday Shopping Spree For Children In Need

– EAC Network is pleased to announce the holding of a Holiday Shopping Spree for children in need. Bethpage Federal Credit Union is donating $10,000 and Summit Health-CityMD, $5,000 to help foster care children who might not have a Christmas gift. This event will take place on Wednesday, December 14th, 2022, from 2:30 PM to 6:00 PM at Walmart, 965 Broadhollow Rd, Farmingdale, NY 11735.

The Holiday Shopping Spree is done in collaboration with Bethpage Federal Credit Union and Summit Health-CityMD. Volunteers from BFCU and Summit Health-CityMD will spend the afternoon with each child to assist them as they purchase gifts. For the 2022 Holidays, Children from the Chance to Advance Program will have $100 each to spend on gifts of their choice.

Children in foster care are at a much higher risk of incarceration, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, lack of self-esteem, and ending up on public assistance. The Chance to Advance Program provides enrichment programs that help develop the educational, artistic, athletic, and cultural talents of children in foster care ages 8 to 21, as well as underprivileged and foster care children in other programs on Long Island. The average age of children participating will be between 9 and 15 years of age.

“We thank Bethpage Credit Union and Summit Health-CityMD for their generosity and continued support of children in need during the holiday season. BFCU and Summit Health-CityMD understand the importance of providing support, care and comfort to kids in foster care. This is just one example of that care and comfort,” said Neela Mukherjee Lockel, EAC Network’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

Chance to Advance works to bring meaningful change to the lives of at-risk children and youth in foster care by providing positive outlooks and enrichment opportunities through one-on-one mentoring and life skills workshops and activities with the goal of assisting, caring and empowering children to take control of their lives.

“Chance to Advance is about a toy today but mostly it is a program that provides the support needed for children at risk to become strong and productive adults tomorrow,” says John Durso, Chairman of the EAC Board of Directors.

“Bethpage is thrilled to support this most important holiday initiative for the children,” said Linda Armyn, Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer, of Bethpage Federal Credit Union. “Every child should have the opportunity to enjoy the holidays and what could be better than this Holiday Shopping Spree! Bethpage is honored to partner with EAC Network.”

“Summit Health–CityMD is enthusiastic to partner with an organization like EAC. Our support of EAC aligns well with our values and vision to build healthier, kinder communities,” said Robert Scoskie, Chief Business Development Officer of Summit Health-CityMD. “There is no better way to demonstrate our commitment than to support entities like EAC that make a direct impact into the lives of the community members it serves, from children to seniors.”

EAC Network is a non-profit, diverse human services agency that responds to the needs of over 54,000 individuals with over 100 critically necessary programs and direct support services throughout Long Island and New York City. Our objective is to reach individuals within our community through innovative programs that improve quality of life.

Media Contacts

Robert Stricoff, MSA, Chief Development Officer / Robert.Stricoff@eac-network.org or 631. 433.1662

Cassandre Thrasybule, Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator/ Cassandre.Thrasybule@eac-network.org or 954.707.9709