74 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • DECEMBER 2018
SPOTLIGHT ON 2018 WINNERS
YOU VOTED, THEY WON:
TOP DO-GOODERS
BEST CHARITY
John Theissen Children’s
Foundation
Since 1992, the John Theissen Children’s
Foundation (JTCF) has collected
and distributed more than 920,000 new
toys to sick and underprivileged children
in hospitals and child-care facilities.
First inspired by a sick 7-year-old
girl when John was 17, his mission is to
spread cheer to all children. Celebrating
26 years since his first holiday toy
drive, when he successfully collected
more than 800 to distribute, JTCF has
since grown into a year-round organization,
also donating therapeutic and
recreational equipment, electronics,
arts and crafts, televisions, video
games, and more, to children and
facilities in need! You are just in time
to donate a toy for this holiday season.
1881 Wantagh Ave., Wantagh, 516-679-
5098, jtcf.org
BEST NOT-FOR-PROFIT
A beacon of hope for the
community with the goal of spreading
Christ’s love, The St. Jude Mission
Center is the outreach arm of the
Church of St. Jude (Episcopal) in
Wantagh. Welcoming all of God’s
children, The St. Jude Mission Center
is devoted to spreading Christ’s
teachings through compassionate
worship. Programs include The
Mother and Child Ministry, which
provides essentials to parents in
need; the PB&J Brigade, where
teens and adults make sandwiches
for women’s shelters and Ministry
guests; The Heaven’s Harvest Food
Pantry, which provides food and
toiletries; and St. Michael’s Meal, a
family-style Wednesday-night dinner
open to everyone in the community.
516-900-1919, stjudemissioncenter.
org/the-church-of-st-jude
BEST PHILANTHROPIST
The Michael Magro Foundation
Paul and Terrie Magro started the
Michael Magro Foundation in 2005 to
honor the life of their son, Michael,
who died at the age of 13 following
a battle with leukemia. Since then,
the foundation has worked to assist
pediatric cancer patients at NYU
Winthrop-University Hospital’s
Cancer Center for Kids. The foundation
also has a scholarship fund and
awards two scholarships every year
for students graduating from Hicksville
High School, including one for
a student entering a culinary school.
The foundation’s efforts keep alive the
memory of a bright young man beloved
by his family and friends, while
also helping Long Island families and
young cancer patients fight the illness.
12 Julian St., Hicksville, 516-935-4510,
michaelmagrofoundation.com
BEST THEATRE ARTS
CENTER
Patchogue Theater for the Performing
Arts
Fun for the whole family, Patchogue
Theatre for the Performing
Arts is Suffolk County’s largest
theatre, boasting nearly 1,200 seats
in a beautiful setting with amazing
sound. The theatre offers a variety
of events including live musicals,
rock concerts, comedy shows, and
much more. Its mission is to serve
Long Island as a cultural hub,
highlighting wonderful talent and
performing arts for a wide-ranging
audience at budget-conscious prices.
Originally opened in 1923, this gem
of a theatre is part of Long Island’s
history. Although it has gone through
a series of renovations since its
purchase in 1998, a lot of its original
decor has been preserved. 71 East
Main St., Patchogue, 631-207-1313,
patchoguetheatre.org.
BEST ANIMAL RESCUE
Little Shelter Animal Rescue &
Adoption Center
Once again, Little Shelter has won
top honors as The Best Animal Rescue
and Animal Shelter on Long Island.
Since 1927, this nonprofit, no-kill shelter
has been dedicated to saving the
lives of countless animals, providing
them with premier medical care and
finding them forever homes. With a
thorough interview process in place
for potential adopters, Little Shelter
goes out of its way to ensure that every
rescue’s new family will provide
him or her with important essentials,
including love, proving that the shelter’s
staff and volunteers truly are the
best! 33 Warner Rd., Huntington, 631-
368-8770, littleshelter.com.
READY, SET, VOTE!
Vote for your favorite businesses, people, charities, and entities in the
2019 Bethpage Best of Long Island program through December 15.
Step 1: Visit bestoflongisland.com
Step 2: Click “Vote Now”
Step 3: Fill out form
Step 4: Select a category and click “Vote”
Step 5: Repeat for all your favorite people and businesses
To find other 2018 Bethpage Best of Long Island contest winners, visit
bestoflongisland.com Nominations for the 2020 contest open January 1.