Malverne community leaders find alternatives to village-wide events

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This Saturday, the Village of Malverne had numerous village-wide events lined up for people of all ages. However, the coronavirus outbreak put a halt to those plans. Community leaders have found different ways  to bring the village together while keeping a safe distance.

One of the cancelled events was Our Lady of Lourdes’ annual Souper Scavenger Hunt, in which residents roam the village in groups to collect donations for the parish’s food pantry. Linda Baldacchino, one of the event’s coordinators, said the group plans to hold the scavenger hunt on June 27.

 “It was disappointing for us to postpone the event,” Baldacchino said, “but we had to make sure that this does happen at some point because the food pantry relies on this event so much. The alternative food drive, however, did really well. People really came out to support us.”

Baldacchino said that the Rev. Michael Duffy, spiritual leader of OLL, organized a food drive at the church from March 19-21. The food collected from that drive, she said, will be kept in OLL’s food pantry and distributed to people in need. Baldacchino added that people can drop off donations at the church.

Another one of cancelled events was the American Legion Post 44’s annual Walk-A-Thon to raise funds for veterans in the village. “Just because you can't walk with us this year, you can still have your boots on the ground to help walk in spirit with our veterans,” said Ladies Auxiliary President Dr. Carol Hassett.  “If you can, we would appreciate your consideration of any amount to help our veterans.”

The American Legion held its first Walk-A-Thon in 2018, in which Post 44 veterans walked with children on Franklin Avenue. The group collected $800 in donations.

Hassett said the Department of State advised Post 44 that people interested in donating to veterans that are hospitalized, living in state homes, awaiting placements or need of shelter, can send checks to the American Legion at P.O. Box 44, Malverne, N.Y. 11565.

“It would be a great project for children at home to reach out to all veterans,” Hassett said. “If you wish to send a card with or without a donation, we would be very thankful.”