Michael Dore: Good Deeds....Indeed!

MICHAEL DORE: GOOD DEEDS...INDEED!

Early in 2022, the Nassau County American Legion Auxiliary, through their Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Committee, conducted an “Adopt a Unit” Project for the residents of Psych Unit at Northport VA Hospital where the American Legion Auxiliary members made sure that neither their birthday, nor holidays, would go unnoticed. The members of this unit rarely, if ever get visitors. It was at this time that I approached the members of my local Lakeville Estates Civic Association asking if they would join the card-writing campaign. I provided them with each veteran’s birthday, wherein several members came forward writing personalized cards for the veterans, which were coupled with gifts provided by the American Legion Auxiliary for each and every one of them.

This act of kindness was well received by the civic association, but it surely had a ripple effect on Michael Dore, who not only participated in the card-writing campaign along with his family, but he wanted to do even more for our veterans.

With that in mind, I suggested that Michael reach out directly to Northport VA Hospital to see what the veterans would want, as he really wanted to bring them joy. The VA Hospital provided Michael with a “Wish List” and Michael got busy. Out of his own allowance, he purchased gym pants for the men and women veterans, T-shirts, flip flops, pajamas for men and women, toothbrushes, underwear, scarves, caps, hoodies, shoes, sneakers, jackets, hair accessories, shampoo, body wash, hand wash liquids, Dunkin’ Donuts coffee pods, plastic hangers, some decorations, x-lights, Easter, St. Patrick’s Day and 4th of July Magazines. In addition, he wrote out 60 Thank You cards for each of the veterans for Memorial Day.

As mentioned previously, these items were all purchased with Michael’s own money, part of which he earned over Christmas selling Christmas trees at the Lion’s Club, and from tips that he received.

Michael, who is presently completing 11th grade at New Hyde Park Memorial High School, headed out to Northport VA Hospital the last week in May, along with his parents to deliver the goodies for the veterans, as he wanted so much to do something special for our brave men and women, and felt that this “small” donation, as he calls it, would be a way to thank them for their service and to remind them that because of them, he gets to live in a free country.

I would be remiss if I failed to mention that Michael accomplished all of this, while simultaneously working on his Boy Scout Troop 298 Eagle Scout Project where he recently built an additional three exercise stations at Memorial Park in New Hyde Park for adults as well as for seniors.

Kudos to you, Michael Dore, for your caring heart and for making 60 veterans at Northport VA Hospital very happy by your kindness, time and generous spirit.

Submitted by,

Rosanne Spinner, Public Relations Chair

Nassau County Committee - American Legion Auxiliary

Secretary - Williston Unit 144

A Community of Volunteers Serving our Veterans, Military and Their Families

#BeTheOne