Vaccine Car Raffle + Helping Fleeing Afghanis + Torahs Return

Happy Sunday, Five Towns! Here's everything you need to know about what's happening in town today.

Check out how a Lawrence grad is making her mark in the magazine world with a major position. A hospital in Far Rockaway found a unique way to raise their employee vaccination rates. Some of the stolen Torahs have been returned to a Long Beach synagogue. And Long Islanders are trying to help refugees fleeing the situation in Afghanistan.

First, today's weather: Mostly cloudy throughout the day. High: 81 Low: 73.

Here are the top stories in Five Towns today:

1. Olivia Ramseur profiles a Lawrence High School graduate who has found success in the media world. Class of 2005 graduate Christina Amoroso is now the executive editor at Bustle, a digital women’s magazine. She began writing in high school as the editor-in-chief of the high school yearbook and then studied journalism at Northwestern University. (LI Herald)
2. Daniel Robertson looks at how Far Rockaway hospital St. John's Episcopal tried to up their employee vaccination rates with a car raffle. The hospital got their rate above 67 percent, and an employee won a red 2021 Honda Civic earlier this month. Far Rockaway has the lowest COVID-19 vaccination rates in New York City. (LI Herald)
3. Jerry Barmash has a "wow house" to check out in Lido Beach. The three-bedroom high ranch on Gerry Avenue is on a quiet cul-de-sac block across the street from Nickerson Beach. It's listing price is $1,075,000. (Patch)
4. News 12 Long Island visits a fundraiser in Westbury on Friday night for those fleeing the violence in Afghanistan. The leader of Afghan Americans of New York, which organized the effort, says her family is being targeted by the Taliban and in danger. Volunteers sorted and packed up necessities like shoes and soap to help the refugees have daily basics after fleeing home. (News 12)
5. Patch also has an update on the Long Beach synagogue that had Torahs stolen last week. Chabad of the Beaches' Rabbi Eli Goodman will lead a parade Monday night to mark the return of Torah scrolls back to the restored ark. Two of the Torahs have not yet been found. (Patch)

Today in Five Towns

Five Towns Patch Notebook

• Nassau County Police Department's Commissioner and the Police Medic supported a recent Navy Seal Foundation fundraiser at Tobay Beach. (Facebook)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Add your business here

Gigs & services:

• Moving Company Long Island (Details)
• Add your gig or service

You're all caught up for today! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update. If you're liking these newsletters, consider bringing some friends and neighbors along for the ride. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Jackie

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Five Towns Daily? You can contact me at fivetowns@patch.com.