Garden City Hotel Ringing in New Tradition to Help Long Island's Hungry

Last November marked The Garden City Hotel's final tree lighting ceremony. Patrick Smalley, the hotel's managing director, has written this letter to the community:

The holidays are around the corner, and at The Garden City Hotel we are busily preparing for a season of joyful celebrations.

Against this backdrop, we are ringing in a new tradition while leaving behind another. Last November marked our final tree lighting ceremony. This annual evening celebration, held the Monday after Thanksgiving, over many years, brought together families, friends, neighbors, business associates and community leaders. We know how much it has meant to the community. We appreciate the many calls and emails sharing memorable tree lighting ceremonies gone by and to just say thank you. We are touched by your immense gratitude.

With the retirement of the tree lighting event, this year our community outreach moves in a different direction. We are launching a new tradition to help alleviate hunger on Long Island. It will include our participation in the Mary Brennan INN (Interfaith Nutrition Network), a local soup kitchen serving the hungry and homeless, as we help to develop and sponsor programs to address this important issue. It is a matter of fact that the number of hungry and homeless across Long Island is growing. It is our sincere hope this new tradition will in some small measure make a difference in the lives of Long Islanders in need of food.

Serving our friends, neighbors and guests in a way that exceeds expectations for the fullest celebration of the season and for important life events is what is most important to us. It is through the dedicated work of our experienced and caring staff that we have built our reputation as a leader in hospitality on Long Island, and, indeed, across the New York metropolitan area. You can count on this same dedication as we launch this new community initiative.

Finally, we invite you to visit The Garden City Hotel during this bright and hopeful season. If only for a casual stroll through our lobby with your children and grandchildren, come and enjoy the winter wonderland of decorations and watch as the children marvel at the sight of the miniature town and train set. And, yes, our giant spruce will be glowing, as always, so feel free to take pictures, too. We warmly welcome your visit to exchange holiday wishes and thank you for your support throughout the year.

On behalf of the Nelkin family, the executive team, our managers and staff, we wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season and new year ahead.