The Manhasset/Lakeville Fire Department and The LI VOAD Coalition has partnered with The Seeds of Compassion Committee (a group of highly motivated individuals, business owners and charitable organizations) to provide holiday gift baskets to Katrina evacuees relocated to Long Island and to some of our forgotten senior citizens at several nursing facilities in the state of Louisiana. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, the spiritual core of the holidays should not be forgotten-to give thanks for blessings received and for those yet to come. Most of all, it's the season for offering hope and joy to those who need it most. In the weeks following Katrina, New Yorkers opened their hearts and homes to fleeing evacuees and hundreds were given shelter in hotels across the state. As of Dec. 15, FEMA will no longer foot the bill. The State of New York will pay for hotel expenses from Dec. 15 through Jan. 1, 2006. Though some have found housing, others are still searching and many will not have done so by the Jan. 1, 2006 deadline. Government agencies, local ministries, and for and non-profit organizations in Nassau and Suffolk counties have successfully placed many families and are working to help those still requiring shelter and other relief aid. The Seeds of Compassion Committee has a network in place to provide transportation of collected goods and supplies to both the families her in New York, as well as those who've remained in Louisiana. Participate in our holiday gift drive during the weekend of Dec. 10 and 11, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Manhasset Lakeville Fire Departments. Company 1, 34 Bayview Avenue (off Plandome Road) Manhasset. Company 2, 2 Community Drive (across from Whitney Pond Park), Manhasset. Company 3, 25 Prospect Street, Great Neck. Company 4, 97 Jayson Avenue (corner Northern Blvd. near Blockbuster) Great Neck. Company 5, 34 78th Avenue (off Lakeville Road) New Hyde Park. We are collecting all new comforter sets, children and adult pajamas and thermals, gift box fragrance or bath sets, hats, gloves and scarves, and towel sets for the relocated Katrina evacuees. They also are requesting bath and lap robes, socks and slippers, lotion and power gift baskets, and sugar-free candy for our seniors. This is a volunteer community effort created in an attempt to bring Holiday Cheer and a Renewal of Hope into the lives of Katrina Evacuees here in New York and to our forgotten seniors in several parishes across Louisiana. Special thanks to the Meet the Needs Initiative, Chief Lee Strickland and Deputy Chief Kyle Dugger of the Manhasset Lakeville Fire Department, Shirley Bruno and Grace Grella of Public Access TV Corporation, and Complete Packaging and Shipping Supplies, Inc.

For more information on requested items and drop-off locations across Nassau county, please visit www.AnuSpirit.com, and click on the Remember Katrina and Sowing Seeds links.