Marjorie Tannenbaum, the nurse at the Franklin Early Childhood Center in the Hewlett-Woodmere School District had an idea to lift the spirits of the community after Hurricane Sandy.

With the PTA meeting cancelled, why not hold a small dinner for the community and a Halloween parade following the dinner for the children who came in costume and some adults too.

Tannenbaum sent out invitations to all the families that have children at Franklin. She expected possibly 100 people. Close to 400 showed on Nov. 15 and a dinner originally to be held in Gym 1 needed to expand to Gym 2.

School staff volunteered to cook and local businesses either donated food or reduced their prices to help accommodate the ad hoc event.