Merrick Kiwanis Gears Up for School Supply Drive

The Merrick Kiwanis is gearing up to host its eighth-annual school supply drive, which is set to take place on August 13 and 14 and again on August 20 and 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Kiwanis will be standing in front of Duane Reade as well as both CVS Pharmacies to collect school supplies for local families in need.

"We have been very, very successful with this drive in the past. We have given supplies to between 35 and 50 students and we donate leftover supplies to the schools," said Bernie Stein, chairperson of the drive.

The Kiwanis Club will most likely distribute the school supplies the following week.

Another fundraiser that Kiwanis is planning for is the "Shop for Cause" event. Kiwanis sells discount coupons in Macy's Roosevelt Field for $5 a piece. The coupon gives customers 20 percent off their purchase at Macy's and the entire $5 goes to Kiwanis.

"We are very grateful to Macy's and very lucky that they let us sit inside the store and sell these coupons," said Arlene Gregory, president, Kiwanis. "We usually sit by the register and get people's attention – they get 20 percent off and we get the $5."

The "Shop for a Cause" event will take place on August 27.

In addition, the Kiwanis Club is also getting ready for the Installation dinner. The dinner will take place on September 22 this year and Kiwanis will be electing Cathy O'Malley as president.