Hofstra students planted flowers in Hempstead, Uniondale

On the morning of April 5, a wave of community spirit swept through Hofstra University as roughly 250 students from over 70 clubs and organizations gathered for the annual Pride and Plant.

By 9 a.m. that Saturday, students, including Mathew Carpio, Donielle Furline, Catherine Roth, all of Hempstead, and Javier Berrios and Amanda Stojanowski, from Uniondale, assembled at HofUSA on Hofstra’s North Campus to check in, grab gardening supplies and snapped a group photo before heading out.

The initiative, which began in 2017, has become a cherished tradition that connects the university with the neighboring communities of Hempstead and Uniondale.

Student volunteers fanned an out across the area—some walking to nearby homes in Hempstead, others taking the Hofstra shuttle to Uniondale’s Community Center — armed with flowers and a shared mission to give back.

Throughout the morning, the student teams planted flowers at dozens of homes, bringing color, care and connection to seniors in the community. The event embodies Hofstra’s ongoing commitment to service and neighborhood engagement.

The students who took part included:

Sarah Ahmed, Valley Stream

Ava Albanese, Seaford

Caroline Arent, Massapequa Park

Javier Berrios, Uniondale

Madison Burke, Massapequa

Matthew Carpio, Hempstead

Jean Chazz, Baldwin

Juliana Cole, Massapequa Park

Melissa Contreras, Massapequa

Alexa Dalton, Massapequa Park

Francesca Failla, Merrick

Donielle Furline, Hempstead

Eduardo Grant, Baldwin

Evangeline Guerra, Levittown

Ariana Herrera, Lindenhurst

Chloe Hoehman, Massapequa Park

Jenna Konsky, Massapequa

Gianna LaMotta, North Baldwin

Kathleen Mars, Rockville Centre

Vincenza Morgillo, East Meadow

Abigail Parilla, Long Beach

Jalynn Rhodes, West Hempstead

Kaylee Roche, Massapequa

Catherine Roth, Hempstead

Mia Santabarbara, Massapequa Park

Arti Singh, Valley Stream

Amanda Stojanowski, Uniondale

Caitlin Sullivan, Merrick

James Toohey, Merrick