🌱 Community Helps Woman With New Home For The Holidays + Events

Hello, friends! It's me, Debora Whitehead, your host of the Shirley-Mastic Daily — back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening locally. Today you'll find news about:

• Christmas miracle for a resident who lost everything in a house fire.
• Help the police to identify a man who robbed a gas station.
• Where to buy the best cupcakes? and more!

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny; winds subsiding. High: 44, low: 26.

Here are the top four stories in Shirley-Mastic today:

1. Suffolk police seek the suspect who robbed a Speedway gas station. Cameras show the man with an object that looks like a firearm entering the store to demand cash from the clerk. Click on the link to see a picture of the suspect and help police to solve this case today. (Patch)
   
2. The community joined forces to help a woman who lost everything in a house fire to have a new home for the holidays. A GoFundMe page was set up as "Katie Needs A New Home For Christmas" and raised over $69,000 from the generosity of the community who stepped in to help. (Patch)
3. For those looking forward to enjoying sweet treats over the holidays, Patch has a list of businesses on Long Island to go to for fun-sized cupcakes. If you have a place to recommend in your neighborhood, visit the link and tell us about it! (Patch)
4. East Patchogue animal shelter, Paws Unite, needs donations to remain open. After many years of rescuing animals, the nonprofit is facing the danger of closure due to a lack of funding. If you want to help the little fur friends who depend on the shelter to have a second chance, click here. (News 12 Long Island)

Today in Shirley-Mastic:

• Skate and Meet Santa at Gr8Skates. (10 a.m.)
  
• Christmas Jazz, a Unique Holiday Concert at Heritage Center. (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Visit the link to register for the Free SAT preparation courses hosted by SCOPE Enrichment Services. William Floyd High School students and kids in grades 9-12 are welcome to sign up, but space is limited. (Patch)
• Suffolk police are working to solve Tyler Phillips' case. The teen was a fatal hit-and-run victim on Granny Road in Coram. Officials announced a checkpoint plan on Wednesday in which drivers would be checked and given a flyer to help with any information about the crash. (Port Jefferson Patch)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• A Wonderful Christmastime Handbell Concert. (December 18)
• Official Patchogue Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl. (December 18)
• Holiday Lights At The Bronx Zoo. (December 23)
• New Year’s Eve Gala in the Grand Ballroom. (December 31)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday off right. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update!

— Debora Whitehead

About me: Have a story idea? Please contact me! I would love to hear from you! Wife, mom, foodie, traveler, and nature lover.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Shirley-Mastic Daily? Contact me at shirley-mastic@patch.com.