The holiday season was extra special for several Farmingdale youngsters in the Big Friend/Little Friend program. Tom Montabono of the Recycle-A-Cycle program of the Town of Oyster Bay and Tim Quill of the Community and Youth Services Department were able to provide lucky Little Friends with new bicycles and helmets to each youngster. The project was coordinated by the Farmingdale Youth Board and the Department of Community and Youth Services of the Town of Oyster Bay.

The Farmingdale Big Friends/Little Friends program was established to provide mentor adults for youngsters from local, single homes in an effort to provide positive role models. Volunteers provide recreational, cultural and social activities. Guidelines are provided to each Big Friend upon acceptance into the program. Activities are arranged throughout the year in which each Big Friend and their Little Friend can participate. The Farmingdale Youth Board recognizes the support of the Farmingdale Youth Council and the Department of Community and Youth Services of the Town of Oyster Bay for the program's continued success.

Lou Ruggiero, Farmingdale Youth Board director, explained that the aim of the program is to provide an adult mentor - not to substitute for a missing parent in the child's life - but to establish a special long-term relationship in which a child feels comfortable enough to confide his or her thoughts and feelings. The adult provides concern, guidance and companionship that might be lacking in a child's home life and hopefully helps build the child's assurance, self-sufficiency and individuality in a positive direction. According to Mr. Ruggiero, the adult might spend as little as a couple of hours a week with their Little Friend. All that is expected is that the adult will share his or her time with the Little Friend doing everyday events such as shopping, visits to the library, participating in community activities and visiting community facilities. Basically the adult is being a positive friend for the child. Adults and parents of youngsters interested in being a part of the Big Friends/Little Friends program should contact Lou Ruggiero at the Farmingdale Youth Board, 361 Main Street, Farmingdale; or by telephoning 249-2928.