Knicks Fan Campaign Raises More Than $10K For Huntington Station Mission

HUNTINGTON STATION, NY — What started as a Knicks fan giveaway in Huntington Station ended with more than $10,000 for a local mission serving families in need.

Signarama Huntington presented a $10,730 donation to Helping Hand Rescue Mission on June 18, after a two-week campaign that invited Knicks fans to pick up free signs, posters and cutouts, with voluntary donations encouraged.

The campaign brought in $8,730 from community members, including one $1,000 individual donation, according to the business. Signarama Huntington then added another $2,000 to bring the total donation to $10,730.

“We ended up collecting straight off the street $8,730 and then my sister and I decided to throw a couple grand on top,” said Michael Ziccardi, vice president of Signarama Huntington.

The fundraiser began during the New York Knicks’ playoff run, when Signarama Huntington created Knicks-themed displays and fan signage. Residents stopped by the shop to pick up lawn signs, fan posters and player cutouts.

“The energy and everything that got created over the course of two weeks was simply phenomenal,” said Dawn Tiritter-Bent, president of Signarama Huntington.

Signarama Huntington has been in business since 1988, when Tiritter-Bent started the company at age 21 in a 1,000-square-foot space on Jericho Turnpike. It has since grown into a roughly 26,000-square-foot operation on Railroad Street in Huntington Station.

The money will support Helping Hand Rescue Mission’s work with local families and individuals, including food, clothing and other resources.

The mission’s pantry is currently serving more than 200 families per week with non-perishable food, fresh produce, fruit, meat, eggs, milk and bread, as available.

“We’re so excited, because a big part of what we do is to provide clothing and resources for local families,” Kim Gambino of Helping Hand Rescue Mission said.

Gambino said the donations will help the mission purchase food and other needed items. She said the organization also received several bins of food through the campaign.

Gambino said community partnerships are essential to the mission’s work in Huntington Station and surrounding communities.

“Our organization really does thrive on community partnerships, because we’re just a little mission,” Gambino said. “It’s always a blessing to be part of a community that really knows how to add value.”

Helping Hand Rescue Mission was started by Gambino’s parents in 1965 and continues to serve families and individuals in need through food assistance, outreach and supportive services.

Garrett Butler, regional manager for Signarama Northeast, said the Huntington shop reflects the values of the larger Signarama brand, which is celebrating its 40th year.

“Being able to come back to a local store like this, one of our oldest stores, and see them still utilize the values that this foundation was built on 40 years ago is amazing,” Butler said. “The best thing you can do is be involved in the community.”