OSH Delivers!, a local food pantry that serves more than 500 families in communities on the North Shore, is gearing up for their upcoming “Shamrocks Rock” event this Saturday as part of their Kids Day of Service series. The event, centered around St. Patrick’s Day festivities, aims to spread joy to seniors across Glen Cove and neighboring communities.
Courtney Callahan, founder of NOSH Delivers! and director of the group’s youth program, explained that the event will focus on creating heartfelt decorations for seniors.
“It’s our typical thing where the teens are hosting because we have loads of them,” Callahan said. “We’ll be making cardboard hearts that seniors can use as ornaments or decorations.”
The initiative will see participants crafting these festive hearts and delivering them to local care homes like Sunrise and rehabilitation centers such as Emerge. Additionally, partnerships with home care businesses will ensure that seniors receiving home care services also receive these thoughtful creations.
“We want to highlight the diverse ways seniors are cared for in our community,” Callahan emphasized. “Whether they might be in rehab, assisted living, or receiving home health aid, each deserves recognition and appreciation.”
The event builds on previous successful initiatives like Valentine’s Day luncheons for seniors and underscores NOSH Delivers!’ commitment to community service. Callahan said that they chose to do this for St. Patrick’s Day since it would be unexpected, as gift-giving is not normally a staple of the holiday.
For student volunteers like Ruby Holt, a sophomore at Portledge School from Glen Cove, events like these are a chance to support their neighbors and fellow Long Island residents.
“It’s been really great to connect with the community,” Holt said. “It really opens your eyes up and gives you a more diverse life experience.”
For NOSH Delivers!, the Shamrocks Rock event not only celebrates St. Patrick’s Day but also serves as a reminder of the community’s support for its senior members. As preparations continue, volunteers are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to spread cheer and goodwill through these handmade tokens of affection.
Lachlan Vogel, another Portledge sophomore from Glen Cove who volunteers with NOSH, added that part of why he loves dedicating his time to the nonprofit is because it does so much more to serve the community than just provide food.
“When I tell people I volunteer at a food bank, they usually think you’re handing out soup. It’s a completely different experience.,” Callahan concluded. “I feel like NOSH was able to help me connect to so many people and make new friends.”
The event is expected to deliver over 180 decorated hearts to seniors across various care facilities across the North Shore. To learn more about NOSH and the work they do, visit their website NoshDelivers.org.
