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Community Corner

Second Annual Bethpage Federal Credit Union Turkey & Trimmings Drive

The 2nd Annual Bethpage Federal Credit Union Turkey & Trimmings Drive to benefit Island Harvest, Long Island's largest hunger relief organization, will take place on Friday, November 5, 2010 from 7am to 7pm. The main event – which will feature family activities, special guests, exciting give-aways, will take place outside Bethpage's headquarters located at 899 South Oyster Bay Road in Bethpage.

Long Islanders can stop by the event donate frozen turkeys, non-perishable items, supermarket turkey vouchers, or cash donations. Additionally, Mineola residents can conveniently support the Turkey and Trimmings Drive by making a non-perishable food or monetary donation at the local Mineola branch located at 131 Jericho Turnpike.

A critical issue on Long Island, hunger currently affects an estimated 285,000 Long Islanders, including 110,000 LI children, according to a recent study by Feeding America, a national hunger relief organization.  Bethpage Federal Credit Union, who this past year, dedicated itself to supporting health and wellness initiatives on Long Island, will host the turkey drive, in an effort to help Island Harvest fill its urgent requests for holiday meals from hungry Long Island families. 

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There will be fun family activities led by a host of eager volunteers including the Girl Scouts of Nassau and Suffolk Counties.  Special appearances will be made by the Islanders ICE Tour & Sparky the Dragon and a current NY Islanders player, the Rangers Road Tour Vehicle and Rangers Alumni Nick Fotiu, along with several Long Island radio personalities.  At 5pm, the Girl Scouts of Nassau County Chorus will perform. 

Every person that makes a donation during the day will receive a chance to win prizes including tickets to and "behind the scenes" tour of the Martha Stewart Show, and those who donate a frozen turkey will receive tickets to a NY Islanders hockey game.  

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"Bethpage is a very strong supporter of the Long Island community and that includes helping to address the needs of the many disadvantaged families that live among us.  We've seen that Long Islanders are a very generous people, and the turkey drive gives those who are more fortunate the opportunity to easily help their neighbors by dropping off turkeys and trimmings for the holidays," said Linda Armyn, Senior Vice President, Corporate Development and Government Affairs. "Last year, we collected over 4,000 turkeys and 5,000 pounds of food.  This year, our goal is to double those numbers!"

Island Harvest, which serves as the bridge between those who have surplus food and those who need it, supplies over 570 community-based nonprofit organizations on Long Island with critical food support.  Since its inception in 1992, Island Harvest has delivered more than 63 million pounds of food, supplementing nearly 49 million meals. 

Randi Shubin Dresner, President and CEO of Island Harvest said "We are extremely grateful to all of our corporate partners who have come together to help support the 285,000 men, women and children on Long Island who deal with hunger issues each and every day.   Last year's Bethpage Turkey Drive helped supplement more than 11,500 holiday meals – a huge accomplishment for all involved."

"With so many people in need, it's important that we come together as a community to support Island Harvest in its mission to fight hunger on Long Island," said Lisa Trimarchi, Vice President of Employee Services, Cablevision Systems Corporation.  "Cablevision's roots are right here on Long Island, so we couldn't be more pleased to join with Bethpage to help address this grave issue affecting the communities we serve."

"The New York Islanders are proud to call Long Island its home and lend support to the critical issues, including hunger, that impact our community.  We are proud to join Bethpage to sponsor this year's turkey drive and hope the more fortunate people living on Long Island come out to lend their support as well," said Dave Decina, Vice President, Corporate Partnerships,  New York Islanders. 

"National Grid is pleased to support the Long Island community and the issue of hunger which impacts all of Long Island in such a profound way.  Last year's turkey drive was a huge success and we hope to help Bethpage Federal Credit Union reach its goal of doubling contributions," said Carla Hamilton, Community Investment Representative, National Grid.

Art entries from the current "I Love Bethpage" Art Contest, challenging children who live in the town of Bethpage to draw what it is about their town that they love most will also be on display at the turkey drive in the main branch.  Community residents will be given the chance to vote on the top 10 entries.  The winner will be announced at the Annual Bethpage Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 5 and the winning artwork will displayed alongside the "Welcome to Bethpage" sign located in the town of Bethpage and receive a $500 Visa Gift Card.

Additional partners supporting this year's Bethpage Turkey Drive include Hallmark Channel, CBS Coverage Group, Inc., Long Island Radio Group, Girl Scouts of Nassau County, Girl Scouts of Suffolk County, Coliseum Kitchen and the Bethpage Chamber of Commerce.

Bethpage Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative, existing solely to serve its members and has experienced rapid growth in recent years to position itself as a strong alternative to banks.  Bethpage was approved for the largest federal community charter in the U.S. in 2003 and now is Long Island's largest credit union and leading community financial institution with over 180,000 members, 22 branches and 60 shared service center locations throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties.   As a financial cooperative, Bethpage offers better rates, lower fees and a full menu of personal and commercial financial services. 

Bethpage maintains branch locations in Bay Shore, Bethpage, Central Islip, Commack, Elmont, Farmingdale, Freeport, Glen Cove, Hempstead, Huntington, Levittown, Lynbrook, Massapequa, Melville, Mineola, North Babylon, Port Jefferson, Riverhead, Seaford, Smithtown, Roosevelt and Westbury with over 250 surcharge ATMs in King Kullen, 7-Eleven, Walgreen's and Costco locations throughout Long Island.  For more information, call 1-800-628-7070 or visit www.lovebethpage.com

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