Free pet adoptions, other community events this weekend

The Hempstead Town animal shelter will waive all pet adoption fees totaling more than $100 Saturday in celebration of Mother’s Day.

The event titled “Mother’s Day is Going to the Dogs (and Cats)!” will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the shelter, on 3320 Beltagh Ave. in Wantagh. All adopted animals will receive free rabies vaccinations, age-appropriate shots and microchipping, as well as free spaying and neutering, town officials said.

“Nothing says ‘I love you, Mom’ like a loving canine or feline companion,” animal shelter director Cynthia Iacopella said in a statement.

Interested pet adopters are encouraged to bring treats or toys for the shelter animals; those that do will be eligible for a door prize. Proceeds from raffles and baked goods for sale will benefit the Tails of Hope Fund, which helps to fund medical surgeries for dogs and cats. Visit www.toh.li/animal-shelter. For more information, call the shelter at 516-785-5220.

 — AISHA AL-MUSLIM

Benefit run to honor local fallen Marine

Hempstead Town and the Ace in the Hole Foundation will host a fundraising run and walk in honor of a fallen Marine, at Lido West Town Park, 200 Lido Blvd., tomorrow at 11 a.m.

The foundation was created in memory of Marine 1st Lt. Michael LiCalzi, of Garden City, who lost his life commanding a tank unit in the Iraqi desert seven years ago. LiCalzi enjoyed surfing the waves at Lido West Beach Park, organizers said.

The foundation also will recognize Marine Lance Cpl. Gregory T. Buckley Jr. of Oceanside, who was killed in Afghanistan on Aug. 10 last year.

Registration will be held the day of the event from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Registration is $25 per person, with a student rate of $10. Military personnel can participate for free.

A two-mile course will be set up along the beachfront at Lido West, and participants can choose to run or walk the distance. Last year’s event helped raise more than $75,000 in donations and attracted more than 500 participants.

The beneficiaries of the event are the United States Marine Corps Tankers Association, the Wounded Warrior Project, Huntington’s Disease Society of America, and the Foundation for Ichthyosis and Related Skin Types.

Visit aceintheholefoundation.org or call the town’s communications office at 516-812-3307.

 — AISHA AL-MUSLIM

Residents can meet officials, ask for info

Hempstead Town senior Councilman Anthony Santino will give Baldwin and South Hempstead residents two opportunities to meet with town officials and address problems or concerns in their communities.

Santino will bring the town’s Mobile Town Hall to the Baldwin train station, on Sunrise Highway between Grand and Milburn avenues, tomorrow from 10 a.m. to noon. Santino and his staff will answer questions and provide information about programs and services offered by the town.

A South Hempstead/Baldwin town hall meeting will be held Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the South Hempstead firehouse, 555 May St. Representatives from various town departments will be present to answer questions and hear community concerns. Attendees can also obtain information about building permits, sanitation pickup, traffic signs and more.

For more information, contact Santino’s office at 516-812-3252.

 — AISHA AL-MUSLIM

Church hosts child safety seminar

With summer approaching, a Child Safety Expo intended to teach parents how to keep children safe in the water, on the road and in the home will be hosted tomorrow by St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Baldwin.

The expo will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 2332 Grand Ave. Attendees will learn about fire safety, stranger danger, self-defense, sport safety, bike safety, sun safety and poison control. There also will be a special seminar on water safety, presented by the Long Island Drowning Prevention Task Force.

Representatives from the Town of Hempstead, National Poison Control Center, American Cancer Society, the Baldwin Fire Department, the Baldwin Civic Association and several other groups will attend.

For more information, call 516-223-1951 or email saintpetersevents@gmail.com.

 — AISHA AL-MUSLIM
 

Free lunch Monday for emergency service moms

Nassau County Legislator and Chair of Public Safety Committee Dennis Dunne, (R-Levittown) announced Friday that any area mother working in emergency services on Mother’s Day is invited to a free post Mother’s Day luncheon celebration Monday at the Coral House in Baldwin from noon to 2 p.m.

“These include mothers who serve as 911 operators, hospital workers, EMT's, firefighters, etc., said Dunne. “It is a way of saying thank you for their commitment to making our communities safer.”

Mothers who wish to attend must RSVP at 631-682-9103.

The luncheon is being donated as a public service by Coral House owner Butch Yamali.

“More businesses should do something like this,” Dunne said.

-- SID CASSESE