Merry Christmas: Keep Giving the Gift that Gives

Merry Christmas and a Happy Holidays to all Commack residents, from those of us at Patch. 

Whether or not you celebrate the holiday, it's our hope that you are spending the day with family and friends, sharing each other's laughter and love. 

For many across Long Island, and even some living in Commack,  the holidays are looking very different this year due to the recent events.

Superstorm Sandy challenged the Commack community this October and November, as thousands of residents went days without power. It was powerful and moving to see neighbors come together by offering run a cord of electricity, to charge a neighbor's phone or a hot meal fresh off a barbecue.

Local businesses in Commack pushed to open despite their own losses, opening their doors to serve hot meals as long as they had daylight to be cooking in the kitchen. Jackson's opened itself as a warming station allowing customers to charge their phones free of cost. 

Many Commack residents, once settling down, volunteered at Commack School District's warming stations and serving up hot meals to those without. 

It's my belief these small acts of kindness are "gifts" that keep giving. By offering to help a neighbor cut down a tree or serving hot meals to others. It's these actions that have rebuilt and strengthened the bonds of the Commack community. 

It is my hope, as editor of Commack Patch, that we can learn these lessons from Superstorm Sandy. Spend the time with family and friends this holiday seasons rebuilding and strengthening your relationships, to create a gift that will keep giving in in the future into 2013. 

Merry Christmas and a Happy Holidays, 

Sara Walsh
Editor, Commack Patch