5 Commack Nonprofits To Support This Holiday Season

COMMACK, NY — If you’re like many of your Commack neighbors, you may spend a good part of the holiday season with your credit card in hand buying gifts for family and friends. Coming up soon is a chance to give back to the local community.

Giving Tuesday, which in 2024 falls on Dec. 3, is a day dedicated to supporting nonprofit and community groups. Since 2012, nonprofits worldwide have used the Tuesday after Thanksgiving to galvanize fundraising, rally volunteers and add momentum to their causes.

Maintaining funding is a constant challenge for many nonprofits that fill gaps and meet other needs in the Commack area.

Here are five local nonprofits to consider getting behind on Giving Tuesday:

1. Rachel's Dance for the Cure: Helps families fight childhood cancer. The nonprofit holds dance-a-thons, walk-a-thons, talent shows, bake sales, sells merchandise, etc. in order to raise money to help patients and their families struggling with medical bills, holiday gifts, funeral costs, etc.
2. Luke's Purpose: Provide families with financial assistance after they have suffered the loss of a child. This could include donations to help cover the costs of funeral and cemetery expenses, medical bills, mental heath fees, lost wages, and any unexpected finances that come from the loss of a child.
3. Harold's Hoops for Hope: Raises awareness of suicide and strives to prevent deaths by suicide. Holds various fundraisers, including basketball tournaments.
4. Commack Volunteer Ambulance Corps: Beyond medical emergencies, Commack Ambulance reaches out to the community with various programs to prepare and educate the public on First Aid, CPR and a variety of emergency-related seminars. Commack Ambulance also hosts many events within the community, such the annual 5K Run/Walk, and the Operation Frosty Parade and Toy Drive.
5. Community Pantry at the Suffolk Y JCC: Serves people in need in Suffolk County, including low-income individuals and families, as well as homebound seniors. The Community Pantry provides non-perishable food, personal care items and cleaning supplies, all of which are donated. Visitors are able to "shop" at the pantry with dignity and without fear of judgement, choosing what is needed at no charge.