Monday, January 20, 2025
Uniondale residents came out in the pouring rain for a donation of free turkeys just ahead of Thanksgiving.
Long Island Verified, a local nonprofit organization, handed out 100 free turkeys to the Uniondale community on Nov. 22 at the John J. Byrne Community Center, along with other foods, including stuffing, canned goods, cornbread and cakes.
Eric Rucker, co-founder of Long Island Verified, said all the turkeys were claimed except for eight, which the organization donated to New Life Christian Ministries, a local church that hosted Thanksgiving dinners for the community.
“I donated eight turkeys to them to help them with their mission,” Rucker said.
This turkey drive was the first of its kind for Long Island Verified. Rucker said he has been doing volunteer and community work for around 20 years, in Uniondale, Roosevelt, Hempstead and other surrounding areas. He founded his organization with Patrick Cobourne to continue giving back.
Vineyard Offshore and State Farm sponsored the event, and Rucker said many young members of the community, from around ages eight to 16, were there “volunteering to give back to the community.”
Rucker said the inspiration for this event came from Rucker and Cobourne’s desire to “bless the babies” and support the younger generations.
“We know the youth is the future, and we really want to give back to the youth,” Rucker said. “Keep them off the streets, keep them busy, keep them occupied.”
