Senator Johnson Pledges To Help Outreach Center For The Poor Devastated By Fire

Owen H. Johnson

January 7, 2008

State Senator Owen H. Johnson (4th Senate District, Babylon), Chairman of the Finance Committee, recently paid a visit to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Roman Catholic Church in Wyandanch to offer his support and assess the damage that was caused to church property by an accidental fire on December 30th. The Senator is pictured with Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church Pastor, the Reverend Bill Brisotti and Noelle Campbell. the Executive Director of the Gerald J. Ryan Outreach Center in front of one of the trailers that was destroyed by the fire.

Senator Johnson explained that the fire destroyed the Parish’s Outreach Center that provides food, clothing and fuel each month to area homeless and low-income residents in need. Also lost in the fire was the food and heaps of warm winter clothing that was to be distributed to the poor. According to Newsday, the fire caused as much as $1 million in damage to the church and its related buildings on Straight Path.

"The outreach program that the church operates has been essential for many residents who are struggling each day and are in desperate need of food and clothing in order to survive," said Senator Johnson. "Together, we will rebuild this center and ensure that it will continue to provide hope and comfort for those who are without the most basic necessities."

Senator Johnson said that local residents who are interested in making monetary donations to the Church in their time of need may do so by sending their contribution to:

Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Church
1434 Straight Path
Wyandanch, NY 11798