Members of the Earl L. Vandermeulen Leo Club recently completed their annual Blizzard Bag event in support of the Three Village Meals on Wheels program. Under the guidance of advisors Brian Chalmers and Ann MacIntyre, the Leo Club hosted several fundraising events throughout the fall, with proceeds going toward the purchase and assembly of Blizzard Bags. These essential packages, filled with shelf-stable meals, were delivered to local seniors to ensure they have food on hand when winter weather causes regular meal delivery to be delayed or canceled.

Each Blizzard Bag contained four non-perishable meals, including boxed or canned items, designed to be easily stored and prepared by seniors in case of weather-related service disruptions. The bags are distributed by Three Village Meals on Wheels to clients who rely on the program for daily meal delivery.

“The Leo Club members recognize the real need for this program, and delivering food to the Three Village Meals on Wheels’ clients is a true community outreach event,” said Mr. Chalmers. It's a great opportunity for the students to make a meaningful impact on the lives of our seniors.

Deborah Blair, the coordinator of the Three Village Meals on Wheels program, praised the ongoing support from the Leo Club. Last week, while going through our archives, I was amazed to see the years of dedication from the Port Jefferson High School Leo Club in supporting our Blizzard Bags initiative,” Ms. Blair said. “Their consistent community service has been invaluable to us and our homebound neighbors. The Leo Club has made a significant difference in the past, especially when extreme weather forces us to cancel meal deliveries. Thanks to their efforts, our clients have a reliable source of food when they need it most. We are incredibly grateful for their continued support and hope they can assist us again this year.

The Three Village Meals on Wheels program provides vital services to seniors in the community, and the partnership with the Earl L. Vandermeulen Leo Club is a testament to the power of community collaboration.

Date Added: 1/13/2025

Earl L. Vandermeulen High School is proud to announce the resounding success of its Holiday Helpers Program and the 4th Annual Stuff a Locker Drive, which together raised nearly $6,000 in support of families in need this holiday season. This year’s initiative was made possible through the outstanding support of the Port Jefferson community, including local clubs, faculty, staff, and new contributors from Theater Three.

The Holiday Helpers Program, spearheaded by social worker Kristin Britt, has been an annual tradition for 21 years, providing families in the Port Jefferson area with essential items and holiday cheer. This year, with contributions from the community, the program was able to support 18 families, offering them a mix of gifts, gift cards, and bountiful food baskets.

“Having had the privilege of running the Holiday Helpers Program for 21 years, I can honestly say that each year, everyone helped turn my vision into a reality.” Ms.Britt said, reflecting on the success of this year’s efforts. “We provided 18 families with gifts, gift cards, and food items. I was deeply moved by the compassion, kindness, and generosity shown to our students and their families.”

The Stuff a Locker program, which was held in tandem with the Holiday Helpers initiative, continues to be a major component of the school's drive to make the holiday season brighter for those in need. The program encourages students, faculty, and local businesses to fill donation lockers with non-perishable food items, gifts, and more. This year’s efforts saw an increase in participation, thanks to generous contributions from local clubs and the unwavering support of the faculty and staff.

In addition to the usual support, the school received an outpouring of generosity from Theater Three staff and cast members, who joined in to provide additional backing for the cause. With this extra support, every family participating in the program received a food basket, ensuring that no family was left without a festive and fulfilling holiday meal.

Date Added: 1/7/2025

Over the past few weeks, students at Edna Louise Spear Elementary School have been creating heartfelt holiday cards for their families and veterans in their technology classes. Using programs such as Google Documents and Google Slides, students in grades 3 through 5 demonstrated their creativity and appreciation for service members and their skill at modern software and technology. 

Third graders created holiday cards, adding their own personal messages and festive designs. Fourth graders made 4-panel holiday cards, featuring intricate artwork and thoughtful greetings. Fifth graders took it a step further by creating animated slideshows, which were designed to be shared with their families. 

We're so proud of our students for putting their time and effort into this project, not only for their families but also for our veterans, said Principal Amy Laverty. This activity has provided a wonderful opportunity for our students to express gratitude and learn about the importance of honoring those who have served.

The holiday cards will be delivered to veterans in Rocky Point as part of the school’s ongoing effort to teach students the value of community and service.

Date Added: 1/2/2025