Reported by: Yuqi Nie
On December 15, 2024, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, the AYLUS Syosset Branch conducted a highly successful food drive in collaboration with Island Harvest at Stop & Shop, located at 365 NY-109, West Babylon, NY.
Event Highlights:
- Coordination and Setup:
- Upon arrival, volunteers realized there were two Stop & Shop locations in West Babylon and initially went to the incorrect store at 575 West Montauk Highway.
- After recognizing the mistake, the team promptly relocated to the correct venue at 365 NY-109, demonstrating adaptability and commitment.
- The store featured two entrances; the Syosset group managed the front/main door, while another group supporting Island Harvest covered the back door.
- Volunteer Activities:
- Engaged shoppers by distributing flyers and encouraging donations.
- Collected and organized donated food items, expressing gratitude to contributors.
- Unlike previous food drives, Island Harvest did not provide tables and chairs; volunteers stood for the entire 4-hour duration, showcasing their dedication.
- Achievements:
- Successfully collected 1,000 pounds of food, as confirmed by the warehouse receipt—a remarkable accomplishment for a single store event.
- Island Harvest representatives commended the effort, noting it as one of the most impressive collections they had witnessed.
- Post-Event Logistics:
- The collected food was transported to Island Harvest’s warehouse at 126 Spagnoli Road, Melville, NY 11747, by the fathers of Yuqi and Kingston, ensuring timely and efficient delivery.
Volunteer Hours:
Yuqi Nie (4 hours), Kingston Lu (4 hours), Isabel Xu (4 hours), Callie Chen (4 hours), Margaret Zhang (4 hours)
This event not only provided substantial resources to those in need but also highlighted the resilience and dedication of the AYLUS Syosset Branch volunteers. Overcoming initial logistical challenges, the team exceeded expectations, reflecting their unwavering commitment to community service. The Syosset Branch looks forward to continuing its support for Island Harvest and other charitable organizations in future initiatives.
