Senator Flanagan Visits Friends Of Karen

Senator John J. Flanagan (2nd Senate District) recently visited with the staff of Friends of Karen in their Port Jefferson office to show his support for their continued service to Long Island families. An organization dedicated to helping families cope when a child is stricken with a life-threatening illness, Friends of Karen delivers emotional, financial and advocacy support in times of need.

During his visit, Senator Flanagan joined with Long Island Regional Director Nancy Mariano to discuss the organization's holiday efforts including the Adopt-A-Family Holiday Gift for Kids program and the Holiday Adopt-A-Family program which helps deliver some holiday spirit to the many families that Friends of Karen serves.

Friends of Karen delivers a wide array of family support services to critically ill children and their families throughout parts of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. This help includes securing financial assistance for household expenses in case of a loss of family income, providing care for siblings who remain at home while parents are caring for an ill brother or sister and, for those families who suffer a loss, offering caring support to surviving parents and siblings.

To accomplish their mission, Friends of Karen relies on individuals, foundations, government support, schools, and community and employee groups to contribute the needed dollars, in-kind gifts and volunteer time.

During his four years in the Senate, Senator Flanagan has secured $20,000 in state funding for Friends of Karen to assist them in helping others.

"Friends of Karen offers realistic support when families face their toughest challenge and their darkest days. By treating the entire family and understanding that illness impacts everyone, they deliver hope and dignity and help Long Island families function," stated Senator Flanagan. "This is an organization that understands that caring for a critically ill child continues beyond hospitals walls and doctor's offices and their work is incredibly important."

If you would like to learn more about Friends of Karen and how you can help, please visit
www.friendsofkaren.org or call 631-473-1768.