LI Cares To Host Cheers To Charity Event In Hauppauge

HAUPPAUGE, NY — Long Island Cares is bringing out its paintbrushes to fight food insecurity.

Cheers to Charity is scheduled for May 30 at Long Island Cares’ Center for Community Engagement, at 75 Davids Drive, Hauppauge.

Up to 100 people will spend a few hours decorating empty wine classes for the cause. The event is sponsored by the charity's board of directors and run by artist Betty Cole, owner of Off Your Wall Art in Commack.

Long Island Cares expects a sold-out house to raise nearly $4,000, which will provide more than 2,000 meals. Each registration would provide 23 meals. People can register here for $60 a person. A ticket grants two wine glasses, art supplies, instruction and light bites courtesy of King Kullen.

Cole has been a donor to the food bank for years, among other food pantries. She said she has been living on Long Island for about 28 years now and always donates food, money and time to local pantries. Cole said she recently attended a concert fundraiser event held by Long Island Cares.

"My family were immigrants to this country and understand how easy it is to become food insecure," Cole told Patch. "I think in this great country, none of our own should ever feel hungry or worry about whether their next meal is coming from."

Cole said she is "so thrilled" to participate in an event that will provide nutrition and stability to Long Island families.

"It’s very easy to feel like you’re not sure where your next meal comes from," Cole said. "As a mother of three kids, I’m blessed to not worry about that and I hope to do the same for every other family through programming like this."

Lisa Santeramo, who organized the event with fellow Long Island Cares board member Tracey Cullen, said the nonprofit is "honored and excited" to host the Cheers to Charity fundraiser.

"Hosting these informal events and supporting Long Island Cares makes a meaningful difference in the fight against hunger," Santeramo said. "It also helps get the word out on Long Island Cares and its mission to provide food where and when it’s needed across Long Island."

Patch has partnered with Feeding America since 2020 to help raise awareness in our local communities of hunger, a persistent national problem exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks and 60,000 local meals programs across the country, estimates that nearly 34 million people, including 9 million children — about 1 in 6 Americans — are living with food insecurity. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.