Keith’s Corner: Awareness, a goodbye and fundraising

Pictured with Helping Makes U Happy founder Keith Caputo is his friend Caitlyn Michiels, age 9, who was recently diagnosed with a rare eye disease.  Caitlyn chose to use her experiences with her disease to do good for others by educating and bringing awareness to eye health. She has a Facebook page called Caitlyn's Vision through which she shares important eye health tips and information, and will soon be developing a website.  

Caitlyn is making it her goal to raise money and resources to help children with eye care costs. Because of Caitlyn’s efforts and those of Legis. Rudy Sunderman, county executive Steve Bellone has designated the month of August as Children's Eye Health & Safety Awareness month. Keith is proud to be a supporter of Caitlyn's Vision and says she is the perfect example of the Helping Makes U Happy mission that "every human is capable of making a difference... and inspiring others!"

Mark your calendars!  

Thursday, Aug. 15, from 7-9 p.m. will be our retirement celebration for everyone's favorite waving crossing guard, Melissa Greve. If you've ever passed Brookfield Avenue and Main Street, Center Moriches, when school is in session, you've probably gotten a wave from Melissa. The celebration will be held at the Moriches Bay Recreation Center, next to Center Moriches High School. Desserts, non-alcoholic beverages, coffee and tea will be served.

The celebration is open to the public—please come and wish Melissa well as she and her husband prepare to relocate to Virginia. If you'd like to volunteer to help with the event, donate a dessert or beverage, or have any questions, please contact us at 631-848-9008. RSVP's to the same number by Aug. 1 would be appreciated.  If you would like to take a picture with Melissa to display at the party, she's the St. John's Church crossing guard this summer, from 8 a.m. -1 p.m. on Sundays.

Finally, we will end the month by filling 42 backpacks with school supplies, to be sent along with the final food deliveries for the families we are helping this summer. Volunteers are always welcome and we are very grateful for all who've helped us this summer in so many ways!  And please don't forget—the Helping Makes U Happy annual October Chinese auction will be here before you know it, and we are hard at work to make it our best yet. If you'd like to donate a basket or gift certificate, please contact us!  This is Keith's favorite event and he really puts in a lot of hours to raise money to help our neighbors in need throughout the year.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!