Rotary Club of Hicksville South (RCHS) held its Annual Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway Project on August 31, 2022, at the Hicksville Community Center, Long Island, NY.
The project was a successful one under the leadership of the Club President, Rizwan Qureshi, Project Chair, Rekha Gupta, Club Secretary, Dr.Neeru Bhambri, Project Co-Chair, Nilima Madan, Members – Roopam Maini, Quddus Mohammad, Anu Gulati, and other members who have volunteered their time and resources, notably, the Club Vice President, Arjen Bhatija.
Kamlesh Mehta, Club’s Founding President, and the Rotary District 7255 PDG could not attend the event due to his other pressing commitments. However, he has extended his valuable guidance and support for the project.
Among dignitaries who attended the event, were Nassau County Comptroller Elaine R. Phillips, North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer S. DeSena, Harry Malhotra, Chairman of South Asian Advisory Board of Town of Oyster Bay, who has represented the Town Supervisor, Joseph Saladino.
Among others who spoke at the event were Freeport School District’s Superintendent, Dr. Kishore Kuncham, Rotary District 7255 PDG Wendy Walsh, and Principal of North Side Chartered High School of Brooklyn, Monique Powell, she was representing the charity organization called the Cloud Care Center, of Roosevelt, NY.
Also spoke Melissa Corbett, from Hicksville Public School, Tom Bruno, from Hicksville Boys and Girls Club, who has been volunteering his service for the last 40 years. Becky Evans, from Extend a Hand Inc. charitable organization, and Ms. Liz from the United Methodist Church.
The dignitaries expressed their gratitude towards the RCHS for its continued support to the community for a worthy cause such as this one. They expressed that it’s not just a bag full of school supplies, rather it’s a hope. For kids to hold his or her head high and hopes and dreams for a promising future.
The recipient organizations of the backpack bags are Hicksville Public School, Hicksville Boys and Girls Club, Espoir Youth Program, Freeport Public Schools, United Methodists Church, Extend a Hand Inc., and some targeted school students by the Rotary District 7255 by PDG Wendy Walsh, and some other organizations and individuals who are in need.
Club member Raj Jaggy volunteered his live telecast camera crew for the event to be recorded and broadcasted. Media coverage and photography was done by the Media Chair and Club’s President-Elect, Mizan Rahman.
Many other club members along with guests were present at the event, including but not limited to Dr. Urmilesh Arya, Aleya Jung, Rajesh Kumar, Anju Sharma, Tahira Sharif, Jasbir Jay Singh, and Sandy Bhatia.
