Photos: Crowds Pack Peconic Landing for 'Have a Heart' Dinner to Benefit CAST

NORTH FORK, NY - “Have a heart, warm a hearth.”

The words were the theme of Friday night’s 10th annual “Have a Heart” dinner, to benefit Community Action of Southold Town.

The event was held at Peconic Landing, which generously donated the meal, including lasagna, salad, and garlic bread, so that CAST could utilize all the profits to help the needy.

Both seats were completely filled, with scores turning out to support the organization.

Denis Noncarrow, president of the CAST board, said the proceeds would be used to help those in need during the cold winter season, assisting residents who might need fuel, warm coats, and food. “It’s a busy time of the year for CAST,” he said.

Noncarrow thanked the CAST staff and the many volunteers who worked to make the event a success,

Linda Ruland, CAST director, said she is “impressed beyond belief” by the generosity of the community, who always steps up to help, whether it be with donations, blankets, clothes, or dishes. “Whatever it is, you do it, and we so appreciate it. It takes all of us to make CAST work,” she said.

Ruland said a parent/child home visiting program focusing on literacy, which is organized by former CAST director Sarah Benjamin, is currently up for a matching $10,000 grant from the Rauch Foundation.

Members of the NJROTC were onhand to help serve during the dinner.

Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell attended, as did Councilmen Bob Ghosio, Jim Dinizio, and Bill Ruland, as well as Trustee Mike Domino and Assessors Rich Caggiano and Kevin Webster.

Russell welcomed Noncarrow as new Southold Town government liaison, and said Noncarrow had initially asked, when he took the new post, if he’d have to leave CAST.

“Not a chance,” the supervisor said, adding that the need for CAST in Southold Town is great; the goal would be to one day eradicate the need that currently exists in town. He thanked CAST for all the organization does in town to help those less fortunate.