Kelly Tranfaglia To earn her Girl Scout Gold Award, High School Senior Kelly Tranfaglia, of Garden City, found inspiration for her Girl Scout Project when visiting with some of Mercy Haven's residents. The teen was touched when she saw the lack of common comforts she often takes for granted. Kelly, along with Mercy Haven staff and volunteers, made personal stops at the agency's residences last Thursday, October 9th, to distribute brand new comforters, sheets and decorative items to 52 individuals. These items were donated to Mercy Haven by Bed Bath & Beyond and collected by Tranfaglia.

Along the stops made last Thursday, Kelly visited with 52 of Mercy Haven's 400 residents. Many of them live on the bare basics. While many Long Islanders are feeling the squeeze during these trying economic times, these individuals are facing even tougher odds. Through the support and dedication of Kelly's Home Sweet Home project and Mercy Haven's Bed Bath & Beyond partnership, these lucky 52 individuals experienced a warm and welcomed transformation just in time for winter.

The subsequent component of Tranfaglia's project will take place on Saturday, October 18th. Through her collections and the items made available by the Bed Bath & Beyond partnership, Kelly will redesign an apartment that will be home to a family straight out of a shelter. She will be working with a local designer - Nora Milheron of Bellport - and a local artist - Bernice Corbin of Sayville - to design the rooms. This apartment is part of a two family home that was purchased by Mercy Haven through a grant from the Homeless Housing Assistance Corporation (HHAC). Recently, Mercy Haven completed their purchase of four houses using two grants equaling over 2.5 million dollars from the HHAC. These homes will provide safe, permanent housing for six homeless families, allowing their children to play and learn, and not be burdened with the terrible weight of homelessness.

Kelly Tranfaglia will be recognized and honored at Mercy Haven's 23rd Annual Fall Cocktail Party on Sunday, November 2nd. The event will be held at the Southward Ho Country Club in Bay Shore, NY, where Tranfaglia will speak to the supporters of Mercy Haven regarding her life-changing experience with her Home Sweet Home project.