LINDENHURST, NY The Kiwanis Club of Lindenhurst, New York, Inc., gathered for its general membership meeting on Thursday, November 12, at 6:30 p.m. at Goccia D'Oro Restaurant, bringing together dedicated community volunteers for an evening of fellowship, planning and a shared commitment to making life a little better for others.
With the holiday season approaching, members had plenty to discuss, and even more to celebrate.
For decades, the Kiwanis Club has been a familiar presence throughout Lindenhurst, supporting youth leadership programs, honoring veterans, assisting families and quietly answering the call whenever the community needs a helping hand.
Among the evening's priorities was the club's annual holiday outreach to families experiencing financial challenges.
Working in partnership with social workers at Lindenhurst Schools, the club has identified local families who could benefit from additional support this Thanksgiving.
Members are coordinating donations of holiday food along with gift cards, giving families the flexibility to purchase additional groceries or other necessities.
Recognizing that the need for assistance doesn't end with Thanksgiving, members also voted to allocate additional funding to support families during the December holidays.
The club's calendar remains busy throughout November and December.
On November 18, members will travel to Stony Brook University Hospital to present a gift in support of its pediatric trauma care center.
The club will also provide a holiday sheet cake for the Rainbow Senior Center's December 7 holiday celebration, helping make the occasion a little sweeter for those attending.
Members continued coordinating the popular Hometown Heroes Banner Program, which recognizes and celebrates local military service members and veterans.
The club was also honored to participate in the Village of Lindenhurst's Veterans Day observance, contributing to the community's recognition of those who have served our country.
Beyond these activities, Kiwanis continues supporting youth leadership and service through programs including Key Club and Builders Club, encouraging young people to discover the importance of volunteering, citizenship and community involvement.
One of the evening's most meaningful moments came during a presentation about Emmy Lights the Way, a nonprofit organization founded in 2025 by Lauren Wondsel, inspired by her daughter, Emerson.
Born extremely prematurely, Emerson has spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy and relies on adaptive equipment to comfortably and safely participate in everyday activities.
Like so many parents, Emerson's family wanted her to experience the same opportunities as other children, to enjoy outings, spend time with her peers, explore her surroundings and simply be part of the world around her.
But they quickly discovered a significant barrier.
Many of the adaptive devices that could make those experiences possible were not covered by insurance because they were not considered medically necessary.
Specialized seating, adaptive strollers, bicycles and other equipment can cost thousands of dollars, leaving families to shoulder enormous expenses simply to give their children opportunities that others may take for granted.
Rather than accept those barriers, Emerson's parents decided to help change the experience for other families.
Emmy Lights the Way was born from that determination.
Although the organization began only in 2025, the presenter shared that it has already helped 13 families obtain adaptive equipment that allows their children greater comfort, mobility and opportunities for participation.
The organization works to close the gap between what insurance will cover and what children actually need to thrive.
The message resonated deeply with Kiwanis members. Recognizing a barrier, bringing people together and finding a way to help someone overcome it.
Emmy Lights the Way will host its Play It Forward fundraiser on Saturday, November 21, from 1 to 5 p.m., at Mulcahy's Pub and Concert Hall in Wantagh.
Community members are encouraged to attend, learn more about the organization and support its mission.
Families seeking assistance with adaptive equipment can also visit www.emmylightstheway.org to learn about available equipment grants and the application process.
Throughout the evening, conversation flowed easily as members exchanged updates, discussed upcoming initiatives and enjoyed the camaraderie that makes civic organizations such an important part of community life.
There was also recognition that many residents may not realize the full scope of the Kiwanis Club's ongoing contributions. The club's work reaches across generations and that is something members hope to share more frequently with the community.
The Kiwanis Club of Lindenhurst has been serving the community since 1950, demonstrating that meaningful change doesn't always require grand gestures. Sometimes it begins with a meal, a gift card, a scholarship, a holiday cake or a group of neighbors deciding that someone could use a little help.
For anyone interested in learning more about the club, its service initiatives or membership opportunities, Club President Jo-Ann Boettcher welcomes community inquiries.
Visit www.lindenhurstkiwanis.org to learn more.
As the holiday season approaches, the members of the Kiwanis Club of Lindenhurst look forward to continuing their work and reminding us all of something worth celebrating:
A caring community isn't built by any one person or organization. It's built by neighbors who continue to show up for one another, year after year.
And in Lindenhurst, Kiwanis has been doing just that for more than 75 years.
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