Community Corner
Garden City Welcomes The Andy Foundation’s High Top Shop
Where in the true spirit of giving your shopping supports children in need.
Just in time to ring in the holidays, Garden City's newest shopping venue, the High Top Shop, is officially open for business, offering beautiful one-of-a-kinds with the added bonus of donating to a worthy cause.
The shop, operated by The Andy Foundation, is located at 671 Franklin Avenue and is filled to the brim with beautiful decorative home accessories, furniture, jewelry, china, crystal, holiday items, ornaments, giftware and more. All items have been donated and proceeds will benefit The Andy Foundation in their mission to help children in need. Donations are 501(c)3 tax deductible.
The Andy Foundation is a registered charitable organization which was formed by friends of Andrew Palmeri, who tragically died at age 11 after being hit by a car in 2003. The charity's motto is "By Kids - For Kids." Many of Andrew's friends have volunteered since the foundation's inception and serve on the foundation's junior board.
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The foundation was spurred to open the High Top Shop based on their successful yard sale fundraisers which have raised nearly $100,000 over the last six years.
"We started looking for a way to sell higher-end items year-round," shared trustee Jill Palmeri. "Once we found this space we knew it would be a perfect spot for us, we're a Garden City charity and we wanted to be in town. It's a wonderful way to raise funds and offer something new and different for shoppers. We'll be accepting donations on an on-going basis."
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The foundation's mission is to raise funds to promote, protect and sustain the physical, mental, emotional and behavioral health of children. The Andy Foundation pledges 100 percent of its profits to give all children regardless of race, religion, social and economic status a chance for a healthy, safe and happy childhood giving them a better chance to become successful and productive adults.
Past initiatives have included refurbishment of an unused school room into a library at the De LaSalle School, a charter school for young men in Freeport. The foundation also teamed up with KaBoom! and the Nassau-Suffolk Service for Autism (NSSA) and built a playground for the Martin Burell School for Children with Autism.
The foundation most recently donated funds to complete a media center and helped repair a playground at the Whitestone School for Child Development, a non-for profit special education pre-school program. Due to their generosity, the children will now be able to participate in a wide variety of programs to help prepare for the kindergarten transition.
"Our supporters have been so generous and thanks to them we are offering beautiful items for the home," volunteer Betsy Andromidas said. "We welcome the community to stop by."
In the spirit of giving, the shop will be run by a staff of volunteers. "I'm so happy to be here," shared volunteer Kathy Lucchesi. "We offer a unique shopping experience and to be able to support charities for children is an honor."
High Top Shop hours are Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Donations accepted during shop hours; consignments will also be considered. For further information, contact Jill Palmeri at 248-1240 or via e-mail at jps115@aol.com or visit info@theandyfund.com.
