At a recent general meeting, Legislator Stephanie Bontempi (R-18th L.D.) honored Reverend Kimberly Gaines-Gambino, the president and pastor of the Helping Hands Rescue Mission (Helping Hands). This notably dynamic organization is located in Huntington Station and has filled a variety of community needs for decades.
“Whether it is providing nutrition or other essential services to some of Huntington’s most vulnerable individuals and families, Helping Hands has consistently been there for all of us,” said Bontempi. “Reverend Gaines-Gambino’s leadership is commendable and she serves as a role model to all.”
Helping Hands was founded in the 1960’s by Gaines-Gambino’s parents, whose vision endures under her watchful and caring leadership today. It is truly a labor of love for Gaines-Gambino, as she devotes most of her waking hours ensuring that the organization’s many moving parts operate efficiently to improve the lives of the countless people it serves.
“Organizations like Helping Hands are essential to those relying on its services during the most trying of times. Its positive impact is felt throughout the whole community and it is simply inspiring,” added Bontempi. “When one interacts with Helping Hands, he or she cannot help but feel pride in being a part of something bigger. In a world that can be so divisive, it is just beautiful to have an institution like this right in our backyard.”
Bontempi joined forces with Helping Hands earlier this year for their annual “Souper Bowl” soup drive, collecting boxes of soups to warm up stomachs and spirits during the coldest months. Also, during the spikes of COVID-19, when test kits and masks were acquired through Suffolk County, Bontempi enlisted the help of Helping Hands to ensure that the supplies were effectively distributed throughout the community.In September, Bontempi and Helping hands will collaborate once again, this time for the Baby Blessings effort, which provides diapers and other baby supplies to those in need.
