'Such A Cool Feeling' For Long Islander's Comedy Fundraiser Homecoming

LEVITTOWN, NY — Hicksville native Tom Galati took to comedy at an early age. When he was in Woodland Elementary, Galati was on stage performing his stand-up at school talent shows.

It's a full circle moment for Galati, who considers comedy a "side hustle." He'll perform at Governor's Comedy Club for a Woodland Elementary fundraiser on Nov. 14.

"It's such a cool feeling for me," Galati told Patch. "There's some people that I graduated high school [and] also went to high school with that just bought tickets. I also invited my old sixth-grade teacher."

Galati, 48, was telling jokes for audiences in the third, fourth and fifth grades.

"I was always into comedy. I would watch stand-up comedy with my parents," he said. "When the Scholastic Book Fair would come around, I was the one buying the joke books and that's where I got some of my material."

The school is planning to bring back the talent show in the spring and they'd love to have Galati involved.

"I don't know if that means performing for the kids or maybe helping the kids with their acts," Galati said.

The Hicksville High School graduate is having his 30th anniversary reunion this month.

Galati, who works for an advertising firm that focuses on the healthcare industry, stays connected to comedy with up to six events each year.

"My audience is growing online [and] I've had some brands reach out to start to do some integration and partnership online."

The Governor's fundraiser will benefit the school's PTA and services for student's extra-curricular activities.

You can purchase tickets by clicking here.