Seniors Give Back To Local Schools

By Janee Law
jaw@longislandergroup.com

After raising money to purchase school supplies, residents and staff members of Brandywine Living at Huntington Terrace present school supplies to Oakwood Primary Center. *Photos courtesy of Leigh Marchitto

Seniors of Brandywine Living in Melville have helped to supply South Huntington School District students who started the new school year this Tuesday.

Charlene Loglisci, director of community relations at Brandywine Living, said residents and staff of the senior living facility at 70 Pinelawn Road are always looking for ways to give back to the community and, knowing that some schools have children in need, decided to start a back to school supply drive. They collected over $600, which was used to purchase school supplies that were donated to Oakwood Primary Center and Countrywood Primary Center.

“This is something that they can do to raise money and help other people, and they feel so good about that,” Loglisci said.

This was the second consecutive year that residents and staff members of Brandywine Living collected bottles and cans throughout the summer in order to raise money. They raised $462 this year, and then incorporated other donations from the community and the staff, according to Maria Maringelli, independent living program coordinator.

South Huntington Superintendent David Bennardo said the district is “truly blessed to enjoy such a vibrant partnership with Brandywine Living.”

He continued, “Our South Huntington learning family is the beneficiary of great kindness, which enhances our mission and helps educate, well-rounded students. The people at Brandywine have our genuine appreciation.”

Loglisci said the facility donated everything from notebooks, pens, pencils, markers, crayons, tissue boxes, erasers, folders, composition notebooks, some lunch bags and more.

“There are families that I’d rather be able to use their money to put food on their table and not have to worry about purchasing school supplies,” Loglisci, of East Northport, said. “We can help by doing that. It makes their lives easier.”

From the residents to members of the staff, Maringelli, of Bayville, said everyone had a hand in the effort.

“Everyone participated in some way, shape or form, whether collecting bottles and cans, going to the recycling facility, shopping for the supplies or going to the schools to deliver the supplies,” Maringelli said.

Loglisci said the senior community plans to continue this charity, and hopes to expand the efforts to benefit local charities.