In the case of more snow, Lynbrook Care has you covered

At the end of the day, you realize you’ve helped so many people that really needed it.”

Thomas Gallagher, volunteer

It’s looking like spring has finally sprung — but Lynbrook is not entirely out of the woods yet. With another month or so of snow potential, it’s good to know that no matter what Mother Nature has in store, Lynbrook Cares is ready to go.

“It was rewarding to help out people in our town, and to improve our neighborhood” Thomas Gallagher, 17, said. “It was also a really nice way to meet some of my neighbors who I otherwise wouldn’t meet.”

Laura Ryder, town councilwoman, founded the Lynbrook Cares Committee during her time as a village trustee. Together, the committee’s volunteers help dozens of local veterans and seniors with home maintenance, especially during heavy snow.

Trustee Michael Habert has since taken over the snow-related aspects of the operation. He coordinates a team of active volunteers, and has recruited four men with snow blowers to their ranks.

What started as a small operation has expanded into a small army — more than thirty neighbors are signed up to help their neighbors around Lynbrook if some extra snow is in the cards.

Two of those people are Dan Gallagher and his son, Thomas. They teamed up with another father-son duo, Frank and Luke Pignaterro, to help during the heavy snow Lynbrook saw on Feb. 13.

“At the end of the day, you realize you’ve helped so many people that really needed it,” Thomas said. “They needed to get out of the house safely, and be able to maneuver.”

Dan said it was a great moment for him as a father to watch his son do acts of kindness for his community. The second day, Thomas even did it himself, without Dan being there.

But that’s just the kind of thing a tight-knit neighborhood like Lynbrook does, Dan said.

“Because it’s kind of a small community, kind of packed in close together,” Dan said, adding that there’s always a great turnout for community events in Gries Park, or for sports games — he and his son have both made many friends through the Lynbrook Titans sports program.

“The organization is really good on the local level. I think all that stuff adds up.”

“There’s a lot of older people in Lynbrook, and it would be great if we can even expand the program,” he added. “If we can get the word out, and get some more people on the list and get some more kids involved, and get the organization built up, that’d be even better.”

For those interested in joining the Lynbrook Cares team of volunteers, call the community chest at (516) 599-8300.