Howie’s Heart and the Franklin Square Library hosted Great Give Back Day, where teens put their arts skills to use making donations for Ronald McDonald House on Oct. 19.
Howie’s Heart is a Franklin Square-based nonprofit that organizes events for kids, teens and families to do community service. Great Give Back Day is observed by libraries throughout New York to do community service together in October. The event attracted roughly 30 teenagers.
“Everything we do for the community is based off what the community gives to us,” said Samantha Walter, 14.
Walter volunteers with the Long Island Children’s Museum and Ronald McDonald House through the many community service events at the library.
“We want to make sure that teens and children understand the importance of community, and giving back to people less fortunate than themselves,” Library Director Aviva Kane said.
The library hosts many community service opportunities for people of all ages throughout the year. Teen Librarian Daphne Levy has guided young people with painting birdhouses for the Garden City Bird Sanctuary and cleaning up Hempstead Lake State Park as part of past community service events.
“The Franklin Square Library has been an amazing partner for us,” said Jennifer Camacho, founder of Howie’s Heart. “They have opened up their doors here for us, as a home base for us. They’ve also supplied materials and things for all of our events as well.”
Howie’s Heart has hosted more than 30 events since they started in February. Most of their funding comes from Camacho’s family and friends. In August they became a 501(c)3 and got their first microloan. Camacho started the nonprofit in honor of her father Howie.
“He was a great guy with a big heart, always willing to help people, lend a hand if you needed it,” Camacho said.
On Great Give Back Day, teens decorated treat bags and filled them with the tiny canvases they painted, suncatchers they made and some candy.
“It really makes me feel good about myself, because I like that I’m helping out people who need it,” 15-year-old Joanna Colocho said. It touches my heart.”
Howie’s Heart also hosts “Spectrum of Service” events that focus on ensuring inclusiveness and sensitivity for children with special needs.
“We want all families to feel like there’s no road blocks here, we can do this,” Camacho said. “That’s something near and dear to our hearts too: Making sure everyone feels they have a home with us.”
The teens at Great Give Back Day were excited to come to a Howie’s Heart event. There were many repeat participants.
“Jen is a really amazing person and I think she just does a lot for the community here,” said Emily Vrahimis, 15. “She is super nice and very welcoming to everyone that comes here. It’s a great space to be in.”