Having witnessed children chased and bullied by others as well as having seen lost children, Artie Epstein, owner of Randi's Cleaners, located at 300 Jericho Turnpike in Mineola and a member of the Neighborhood Cleaners Association (NCA), decided to watch out for those kids and offer them a safe place. He is participating in a special NCA program, Kid Watch, which is designed to protect children from being abused by bullies and well as providing help to lost kids.

"I have witnessed numerous cases of kids bullying and chasing other kids after school," Epstein said. "I have seen it in my neighborhood and in other areas as well. I have also seen kids who have lost their way or are in need of contacting their parents because they got out of school early. I decided something had to be done."

Participating NCA cleaners such as Randi's Cleaners will now feature a "Kid Watch" decal in their store windows that alerts parents and children that the store is a safe place for lost kids and those victimized by bullies, muggers, and sexual predators.

As soon as a child seeks protection in a store, that child will notify the owner or manager of the problem. The owner or manager will allow the child to use the phones to call parents and, if necessary, the owner or manager will call the local police. The child will remain in the store's public area until a parent, other relative or police arrive to take the child home.

"We are a community-minded organization," said Nora Nealis, executive director of NCA. "We believe that our Kid Watch Program is one way that we can be good citizens within the community."

In addition to its Kid Watch Program, the NCA also operates the nationally acclaimed Coats For Kids program that has provided clean and warm coats for those in need. Randi's Cleaners is one of the catalysts for that program.

Epstein was awarded a 2000 "We Are Mineola" award from the Mineola Chamber of Commerce from his community-minded dedication.