Cedarhurst, NY - August 29, 2016 - The Five Towns Community Chest has adopted a new name and launched a new website as it expands its charitable work beyond the Five Towns (Hewlett, Woodmere, Cedarhurst, Inwood and Lawrence) into communities including Atlantic Beach, Lynbrook, East Rockaway, Oceanside and south Valley Stream. The organization’s new name is Community Chest South Shore.

“The new name and tagline, Neighbors Helping Neighbors, reflects the true reach and mission of our charity as it has evolved,” said Steven J. Spiro, President of the Board of Directors of Community Chest South Shore. “Historically the organization has helped its neighbors in the Five Towns and surrounding communities. This change will formalize our expanded reach as we carry out our mission to aid individuals and families facing major life challenges.”

In addition to partnering with other non-profits, Community Chest South Shore operates a highly compassionate program called Neighbors Helping Neighbors across all of its service areas. Through donations from local businesses and philanthropic individuals, Community Chest aids those struggling to meet the most basic daily needs, including food, medical care and utilities.

The Neighbors Helping Neighbors program has distributed nearly $1,000,000 in grants to local service agencies as well as over 700 struggling individuals and families since its inception in 2011, providing assistance such as home and car repair and donations of goods including backpacks and school supplies, winter coats and food.

“We are proud to help our neighbors who are experiencing extenuating circumstances,” said Robert Block, Executive Director of Community Chest South Shore. “It is nearly impossible to put a dollar value on the number of meals, warmth, clothing, shoes, winter coats, toys, school supplies, home and auto repairs that have been supplied to countless neighbors. It is extremely gratifying to know that we are serving members of our local community with the tremendous help of business and our generous donors.”

Social workers from partner agencies approach Community Chest with individual cases of hardship and Community Chest makes grants to provide emergency relief. In 2016 Community Chest South Shore has noted an increase in the frequency of requests submitted by area social workers.  Note: All requests for aid must come through a social worker at a partner agency. Community Chest South Shore does not field inquiries from individuals, it works exclusively with social workers who screen and manage hardship cases.

Community Chest South Shore has a long and rich history. Founded in 1931 by a group of local citizens whose goal was to “solicit, collect and otherwise raise money for charitable, philanthropic, and benevolent purposes and to expend and disburse of the same to the needy by directly furnishing them with relief, and indirectly by making contributions to other agencies whose purpose it is to furnish shelter and relief to the needy.”

About Community Chest South Shore
Community Chest is an 85 year-old, local charitable organization, dedicated to supporting, aiding and helping local community members that have fallen on hard times. As a team, Community Chest and its sponsored agencies work to aid individuals and families in need facing life’s challenges. Community Chest raises money to provide support local residents. Our partner agencies who serve the community by providing health services, senior services and childcare services, all have one goal in mind - to help those in need. Its ‘Neighbors Helping Neighbors’ program provides financial assistance and support to those in the Five Towns and the surrounding local communities. Its Mission is to raise funds and awareness to support our neighbors in need and various service organizations in the Five Towns and surrounding communities.

Community Chest South Shore will announce its new name on Tuesday, August 30 at 7:50 p.m. at Andrew J. Parise Park in Cedarhurst immediately prior to the weekly concert performance there. The park is located at the corner of Cedarhurst Avenue and Summit Avenue in Cedarhurst. For additional information, please call or email Bob Block, Executive Director of Community Chest at (516) 374-5800 email.