December 10, 2025
Bringing the Spirit of Christmas
to the Local Community
Find out what's happening in Farmingdalefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
For over a dozen years, the Women’s Club of Farmingdale (WCF) Welfare Committee, chaired by Rosemary Emigholz, has collected books, blankets, stuffed animals, small toys, mittens, socks, scarves and personal hygiene items, wrapped them in colorful holiday gift bags and donated them to the children in residence at the Madonna Heights Homeless Shelter in Dix Hills in time for the holidays. The variety of the gifted items changes each year according to the needs of the shelter. This year, on December 8, the club donated age-specific toys to make the holidays special for 18 children currently in residence. In addition, club member Joanne Restivo and her granddaughter, Anna, donated a box of gently used items, including clothes, shoes, puzzles and a stroller. Program Supervisor for Parenting, Jodette, received members warmly and was extremely grateful for all THE donations.
On December 9, members of the WCF and members of the library’s CASE program sorted and packed grocery bags filled with food staples for local school district students to address food insecurity when schools are closed. This program, aptly named “Shut the Door on Hunger,” has been a WCF Community Impact Program for about 2 years. We would especially like to thank the Farmingdale community, WCF friend and advocate, Cathy Purcell, and, Joe Fortuna, owner of several restaurants on Main Street in Farmingdale, for their generous support of this program. Farmingdale School District social workers Ruth Martina and Mario Delisi collecting bags of food from WCF for distribution during the holiday break.
Find out what's happening in Farmingdalefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
On December 10, WCF Welfare Committee chair Rosemary Emigholz and her committee Anna Ievolo and Judy Vilas, together with President Lynda Leoni, made a visit to Epic House in Farmingdale to bring the current 10 adult special needs residents homemade chocolates and cookies and small, soft comfort toys to make the holiday season special for them.
On December 4, at the Milleridge Inn, the club held its annual Christmas party hosted by the December Lunch Committee: Val Thieke, Ingrid Hernandez and Rosemary Trudden. Members and guests enjoyed a delicious lunch surrounded by beautiful holiday decorations. Members Lynne Cahill, Rosemary Emigholz and Fran Rotondo led the guests in singing traditional Christmas carols. Plans were finalized for several upcoming community holiday programs.
On November 16, the Women’s Club of Farmingdale (WCF) held a Music Bingo Fundraiser at Patrizia’s in Hicksville. Organized by WCF 2nd VP Debbie Podolski and her committee: Angie Dunlop, Rosemary Emigholz, Anna Ievolo, Linda Kreussling, Pres. Lynda Leone, Lorraine Stanton, Patti Starkie, Therese Rudden, and Judith Vazquez, the event featured over 70 guests with many winners of beautiful raffle baskets, grand prizes and 50/50, as well as prizes for bingo winners.
We wish to thank the following sponsors for helping to make this fundraiser a success: Applebees, Angela’s Bras, Bagel Hut, Benincasa State Farm, Cara Cara, Charlotte’s, Costco, Crazy Bagels, Farmingdale Diner, Frank’s Pizza, Fred Astaire Dance Studio, Genesis 950 Spa, Gino’s Pizza, Home Depot, In Full Bloom, iSmash, Josephine’s Cutting Edge, Le Che, Long Island Ducks, Mary’s Pizza and Pasta, Nicolette’s on Broadway, Palmer’s, Patrizia’s Hicksville, Rachel’s Treasurers, Recovery Room, Rontal Jewelry, Rosemarie’s Pizza, Starkie Brothers, Vice Donuts, Vico, Wine Me Up, and X-Marks the Spot Estate Sales & Cleanout.
On November 18, members of the WCF, St. Kilian’s Choir and the community gathered at the Farmingdale Adult Day Care Center to serenade the membership with patriotic songs in honor of Veterans Day. Also in attendance was a comfort dog named Jade who thoroughly enjoyed the concert.
The Women’s Club of Farmingdale, a local 501-C-3 non-profit organization, is always interested in welcoming new members. For more information, please email: lyndaleone@gmail.com or jude523@aol.com. #IAMGFWC
submitted by Maria Ortolani, WCF Publicity Chair
