December Community Update

Dear Neighbor, 

I would like to wish you and your family the happiest of holidays!

In this month's Community Update, you can see my upcoming events and resources to help you stay healthy, save money, and keep warm this winter. 

As always, if there is anything my office can do to assist you, please email me at thomas@nysenate.gov or call (516) 739 - 17000.

Best wishes for a joyous holiday season and a peaceful new year.

Community Notes

• Thank you to everyone who participated in our Blood Drive at Farmingdale Library! 
• Congratulations to Green Street Eatery on their Grand Opening in Levittown.
• I recently joined the American Red Cross team to help install free smoke alarms in homes across our district. Smoke alarms save lives, especially during the holiday season, which brings an increased risk for home fires. If you don't have a working smoke alarm, click here to get one installed in your home for free!
• Check out the artwork from our talented students who participated in this year's Thanksgiving Day Creative Celebration.  

Upcoming Community Events

Holiday Toy Drive to Support the Joey Foundation - The Holiday Season is a great time to give back. I am partnering with The Joey Foundation, a Levittown-based nonprofit whose mission is to positively impact the lives of children, to collect toys for local kids in need. You can help us give back by dropping off a new, unwrapped gift for children of all ages at Levittown Public Library or my District Office until December 14th. 

New York State Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) Workshop - Wednesday, Dec 15, 2021, 6:00 PM. The New York State Homeowner Assistance Fund (“ NYS HAF”) is a federally-funded program dedicated to assisting homeowners who are at risk of default, foreclosure or displacement as result of a financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. HAF will begin accepting applications in early January. Homeowners may qualify for up to $50,000 in aid. 

Join Senator Kevin Thomas and NYS Homes and Community Renewal for a virtual workshop where you can: 

• Learn more about the program, including eligibility criteria and what types of assistance will be available;
• Enter your email to be notified when the application period opens; and
• Review a detailed guide about the NYS HAF application, including eligibility criteria and a list of documents you may need to provide when applying.

A representative will be present to answer any additional questions you have about the program or the application process.

FEMA & SBA Deadlines Extended

The deadlines for FEMA disaster assistance and the Small Business Administration’s Physical Disaster Loan applications have been extended to Jan. 4, 2022. If you plan on filing for FEMA disaster assistance or an SBA loan, don’t miss the Jan. 4 deadline to apply.

Thank you for reading this month's Community Update! As always, if there is anything my office can assist you with, please don't hesitate to email me at thomas@nysenate.gov or call (516) 739-1700.