In November, just days after Hurricane Sandy came through, resident Melissa Van Wickler began her journey to pay it forward.
“I began my pay it forward by delivering “smiles” to families in East Rockaway and our neighboring towns.” The smiles were baskets that she had made up that included Tupperware makeup candles, gloves cereal, and soaps — just some basic items that friends had supplied her with.
“I then found this group on Facebook called the ‘NDA’ — two women from out of town that started adopting families, and pretty much getting them everything they needed, from blankets to microwaves and furniture anything you put on your list they met the needs.” Van Wickler volunteered to bring the items to the families. Driving to Staten Island and New Jersey and back down to Rockaway and Breezy Point she went. “It made me feel great, but it wasn’t helping my community. I needed to do something huge for East Rockaway. And that’s when I decided to attempt the “Pay it Forward” event.”