Community Hero Honored For Helping Homeless

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY — A new community hero will be honored in Westhampton Beach in August.

The Westhampton Free Library will honor Mary Beth Finegan, of Westhampton Beach, as its seventh community hero. Finegan, who was selected for the honor by the library’s technology department, will be recognized during a ceremony at the library’s regular board meeting on Aug. 15 at 7 p.m.

“Mary Beth is an outstanding example of what a community hero is,” said Library Director Danielle Waskiewicz. “We are thrilled to honor her.”

With a heart for serving others, Finegan has dedicated herself to helping the homeless, Waskiewicz said. She began in 1983 by volunteering to serve dinner to the homeless through the East End’s Maureen’s Haven program at the Westhampton Presbyterian Church and then the Grange Hall in Aquebogue.

Maureen's Haven operates in houses of worship across the East End.

Since then, Finegan has become a coordinator for the Maureen's Haven program at the Immaculate Conception Church in Westhampton Beach. From November through March, Maureen's Haven volunteers work together to ensure the homeless have warm beds to sleep in and are provided with warm meals and fellowship. Finegan also organizes the numerous donations that are provided to the church for the program, the library said in a release.

“I’m kind of the funnel,” said Finegan, who is assisted by Erin Finley of Sydney’s Catering. “We have such a remarkable community who are always helping and donating.”

Finegan doesn’t plan on stopping any time soon. “I started helping because I saw there was a need and there was no place for these folks to go,” she explained. “Now that there is a place, I feel the need to maintain it.”

When not assisting the homeless, Finegan works for the Suffolk County Historical Society.

“Mary Beth is a tireless volunteer and an advocate for the needs of the homeless on eastern Long Island,” said technical services librarian Susan Berdinka. “Her honor is well-deserved.”

The library’s yearlong Community Hero recognition program pays tribute to community members who embody the spirit of giving. The honorees are celebrated at the library board’s monthly meetings.

Photo courtesy of the Westhampton Free Library.