Locals step up to provide Christmas for 600 families in need

James Moore and Tom Farruggia stepped outside to the white van that had backed up to their office at John Wesley Village and started unloading, carrying armfuls of its cargo into a large room with long tables piled high with toys and clothes.

It’s all bound for local households, more than 600 at last count, that requested help from the Salvation Army this year for Christmas gifts. When Lt. Kelly Ross of the Riverhead chapter told RiverheadLOCAL in November that it looked like many kids would not be served with the increased need seen this year, Moore and his organization stepped up and offered to match community donations up to $10,000. They’ve received about $7,500 in the past three weeks, and plan to go beyond matching it to fulfill their $10,000 proposal.

“It’s fantastic,” Moore said. “It’s come from a broad swath of people. We’ve gotten donations ranging from $25 to $1,500 – it really runs the gamut.”

Farruggia, his wife Jamie and sister-in-law Cheri Wirth have been working tirelessly with the help of several others to purchase, sort, tag and deliver to the Salvation Army office items requested via tags bearing children’s names. As of Thursday afternoon they had about 35 volunteers set to help with all the work Thursday night.

“We’ve had a very positive response from retailers. Their staff has been really helpful,” Moore said.

Farruggia said the team did some “smart shopping” to stretch the funds as far as they could, using coupons and scouting out sales. Walgreens gave them a 20-percent discount on all their purchases, as well as free delivery to their office by the store’s vehicles.

Lt. Kelly Ross of the Salvation Army Riverhead Chapter said their effort has made a big impact during a particularly stressful year, with requests for assistance still coming in.

“It’s going to make a lot of children’s Christmas. This year is going to be a bigger year for us being able to provide more than what they’ve gotten in the past,” she said.

She noted other donors, including the Suffolk County Treasurer’s Office, giving more this year.

“People are really getting into it and providing— and meeting the need,” Ross said.

As some parents with tight budgets have gotten nervous as the holiday approaches, Ross said those reaching out for help have been candid with their reasons for their requests.

One group of siblings whose single mother left them a few years ago was adopted by an aunt, who apparently got tired of being a parent and walked away too. Another sister stepped in to fill the void. That family was adopted, Ross said.

Another mother was out of work after her child was injured riding an ATV.

“We’re just very thankful to everyone who’s donated. We can’t do it without them,” Ross said.

Joe Stepnoski of Neefus Stype, an insurance agency in Aquebogue, said his office works with a number of charities regularly, so when he was approached by Moore, participation “was a no-brainer” and the firm pitched in $1,000.

“It just made total sense to get involved with it and try to help out. We’re all parents ourselves,” Stepnoski said.

Andrew Dufour of Baiting Hollow also donated $1,000.

“I grew up one of five kids on a military base, so I had some very slim Christmases. I’m doing pretty well now so I’m in a position to help out,” he said. “It’s just a great thing that they’re doing.”

Moore and Farruggia can accept donations through Dec. 19. Donations will serve any children still on the Salvation Army’s waiting list. To donate online, click here.

RiverheadLOCAL photos by Peter Blasl
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