Holidays in the Moriches

For years, the Moriches Community has come together in several ways to help neighbors in need. This year, the Moriches Community Center will be hosting their annual Santa’s Workshop Holiday Outreach program and their Thanksgiving food drive.

The programs, Kathleen Johnson, executive director of the community center, said, have been running for 18 years.

“It’s all made possible by the generous donations from local folks and businesses,” she said.

“We are so grateful to the Moriches Community Center for their partnership and outreach to our students and families over the years,” said Kelly Kavanagh, Center Moriches School social worker.

THANKSGIVING

Center Moriches School District students spend the month collecting nonperishables; then a group helps sort them to place in boxes for families to be accompanied by donated turkeys. The Ricco Memorial Foundation then donates the birds for a full Thanksgiving feast. Baskets are then dropped off anonymously by volunteers. According to Johnson, the drive usually feeds about 28 to 35 families depending on the need.

CHRISTMAS

Come December, the center shifts gears to gift giving by collecting and shopping for items. All items are then donated to families identified as “in-need” by the district.

Those interested in lending a hand can do so monetarily through donations or by volunteering their time to shop. Donation drop-offs are also welcome.

Johnson said she also hopes to bring back the community gift-wrapping day, which was not held last year due to COVID restrictions. The event is volunteer-run and allows those who want to help the opportunity to do so. The day is usually held on the Saturday before Christmas and is to be announced.

“The pandemic [caused] a greater need than ever with so many people out of work,” she said, explaining the situation of becoming in-need can happen to anybody. “This community is generous, caring and giving people. The donations always equal the need.”

About 75 families are aided through the program.

For those interested in helping visit: www.morichescommunitycenter.org.