Bethpage Federal Credit Union, in partnership with Cablevision, National Grid, Northrop Grumman and NY Islanders, invites the public to gather together in Bethpage on Nov. 13th for the collection of food urgently needed by Island Harvest for distribution this Thanksgiving

(Bethpage, N.Y.) – Bethpage Federal Credit Union (Bethpage), Long Island, NY, will host a turkey and trimmings collection to benefit Island Harvest — the hunger relief organization which supplies Long Island’s community-based nonprofit organizations with critical food support — on Friday, November 13, 2009 from 7:30 am – 4:00 pm at the front parking lot of its headquarters at 899 South Oyster Bay Road in Bethpage, New York.

“We know that Long Islanders who are more fortunate this season than their neighbors will be generous in dropping off turkeys and trimmings November 13th in what is an urgent need by Island Harvest to restock in time for Thanksgiving,” said Bethpage Vice President Linda Armyn. “In fact, ServPro has already pledged to donate 1,000 turkeys on the day of the event, and we challenge others to do the same!”

“As a Company that was founded on Long Island more than 30 years ago, we are honored to join with Bethpage Federal Credit Union and others to help provide much-needed support for families who live in the very communities we serve,” said Lisa Trimarchi, vice president of employee services, Cablevision Systems Corporation.

The food drive will include daylong and after-school specials for family fun, and a line up of trucks, tents and boxes for storing the public’s donations.  From 1:00 – 2:00 p.m., New York Knicks legend John Starks, will be on site to assist the volunteers and chat with the public.

Anyone making a donation will have a chance to enter a raffle to receive a Thanksgiving Feast for 10 contributed by Long Island’s take-out fine food caterer, Zorn’s Poultry Farms.  A drawing of names entered into the raffle will be held at the end of the day, with the winner to be announced at 4:00 pm.  The New York Islanders will also provide

“Turkeys for Tickets,” where for each turkey donated, the New York Islanders will give away a voucher for a December 21st Islanders game ticket.

We are able to make the greatest impact working together,” stated Joe Rende, Vice President of Energy Solutions Services – Metro NY, National Grid. “As a major company on Long Island, we’re pleased to join Bethpage Federal Credit Union, and all partners, in this effort to gather food the community needs.”

The public is encouraged to come down to Bethpage and drop off a turkey before work, at lunch, or after school and gather together for some family fun scheduled as follows:

• 10:00 am – 12:00 pm B103-FM Radio live remote
• 11:00 – 2:00 pm Knick Groove Truck – join a family free throw and 3-point shoot contests and win a prize!
• 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm        KJOY 98.3-FM Radio live remote with new morning hosts Steve Harper & Maria Garcia and the KJOY Crew
• 1:00 – 2:00 pm New York Nicks legend John Starks meet & greet
• 2:00 – 4:00 pm        NY Islanders Bounce House and slap shot game, Face painting, Raffles
• 2:00 – 4:00 pm  WMJC 94.3 FM Radio live remote

“We appreciate the on-going support from the Long Island business community and look forward to joining everyone at the turkey drive,” said Chris Dey, President, New York Islanders.  “It is an honor to join the Bethpage Federal Credit Union at such an important event that makes a difference in many lives across the Island.”

Each of the five participating organizations – Bethpage Federal Credit Union, Cablevision Systems Corporation, National Grid, Northrop Grumman and NY Islanders – will encourage employees to either drop off turkeys direct and/or to collect food within their respective organizations and coordinate drops on November 13th at Bethpage.  Employees from each of the participating organizations will also donate their time on November 13th to assist volunteers and community residents on site.  Volunteers to work at the event also include Grumman’s retiree club Care Cats and Bethpage High School students.

“We are thrilled that KJOY 98.3’s new morning hosts, Steve Harper and Maria Garcia, will be a part of this great event,” said David Widmer, President & General Manager of the Long Island Radio Group. “KJOY and STEVE & MARIA have a long and proud history of helping those in need on Long Island.  Awareness is key to success and Island Harvest can Count on KJOY to spread the word.”

Additional partners include Zorn’s Poultry Farms, KJOY-FM, B103-FM, WMJC-FM, Newsday and Bethpage Tribune.

“Island Harvest is grateful to the many who have come together to plan this day to benefit Long Island’s hungry,” said Island Harvest Director Randi Dressner.  “Gathering and sharing is the heart of Thanksgiving.”