'Long Island Medium' star Theresa Caputo donates $10G to Lindenhurst Sandy charity Camp Bulldog
Theresa Caputo, center, star of TLC's "Long Island Medium," presents a $10,000 donation to Camp Bulldog, a grassroots organization in Lindenhurst providing emergency support to residents affected by superstorm Sandy. (Jan. 7, 2012) Credit: Handout
Since superstorm Sandy, hundreds of residents have been relying daily on the hot meals and emergency supplies handed out at Camp Bulldog, a grassroots effort in Lindenhurst to help those affected by the storm.
But on Monday, Camp Bulldog received a special handout, a $10,000 donation presented by a familiar face -- Theresa Caputo, star of TLC’s “Long Island Medium.”
Robin DiGiacomo, one of the founders of Camp Bulldog, said it was the largest single donation received by the group.
“She was wonderful, absolutely wonderful,” DiGiacomo said of Caputo, who visited Camp Bulldog Monday afternoon along with her husband, Larry, observing the operation and talking with the people served. “It was a pleasure to have her here.”
DiGiacomo said Caputo, who films “Long Island Medium” at and around her home in Hicksville, did a live spiritual reading at the NYCB Theatre at Westbury in November and pledged to donate a portion of the proceeds to Sandy relief.
DiGiacomo said Caputo was impressed with the quick action of Camp Bulldog, which began shortly after the storm, and the group’s ability to meet the growing demand. Camp Bulldog began with two folding tables serving hot food in a parking lot and now serves hundreds of people per day, offers hands-on assistance and other emergency supplies.
“She had several groups that she was considering” as recipients, DiGiacomo said. “She chose Camp Bulldog.”
DiGiacomo, 58, of north Lindenhurst, said the situation in south Lindenhurst is always changing. Even as some lives return to normalcy, they continue to wait for insurance checks to rebuild their homes. Others are simultaneously making mortgage payments on unlivable homes while also paying for temporary shelter.
She said for the time being, Camp Bulldog is continuing its operation as usual and holding on to the donation until founders decide on the most pressing need of the people they’re serving.
“We’re working with the village hand in hand to assess people’s needs,” she said. “We’re looking to help those most in need.”
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