Community Corner
Mineola Junior Fire Department Serves Thanksgiving in Rockaways
TV star Brad Garrett joins junior firefighters in helping some of the hardest-hit victims.
The members of the Mineola Junior Fire Department gave up their Thanksgiving Day this year to serve food in the Rockaways to victims of Hurricane Sandy which caused widespread damage leaving people in the cold with no place to go.
Many of the department’s neighbors on the south shore have been going through a rough time where many have been left homeless due to the storm.
Advisors Gary Mazur, Rick Ueland and a number of juniors served hot food provided by La Parma Restaurant in Williston Park.
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While there they were joined by “Everybody Loves Raymond” show star Brad Garrett who helped serve the food with the juniors.
“Everyone present found him to be so pleasant and nice,” Bill Gresalfi said. “It definitely was such a surprise to meet him as he came down to the Rockaways to assist in comforting the residents. The junior fire department felt this was a way of helping the residents of the Rockaways. On Thanksgiving Day there couldn’t be anything more fulfilling than helping people in dire need.”