ABOUT US
Jericho Cares is a grassroots organization founded in August 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. It began with a backpack drive and a group of women who aimed to support local families.
Our mission at Jericho Cares is to assist our neighbors in need. We provide clothing, celebrate birthdays and holidays, and address food and hygiene insecurities. We partner with several organizations, including Island Harvest, The Morgan Walsh Foundation, Allied Foundation, Birthday Wishes of Long Island, Lasagna Love, and more.
We deliver customized packages that include food, clothing, toiletries and household items. The families we serve enjoy holiday meals, receive school supplies, and even get visits from Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny.
As we grow, we are helping to make a difference in more lives, One Family at a Time.
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Fran O’Connor
President
Fran O’Connor is the President and Founder of Jericho Cares. She takes immense pride in the work of her team of volunteers and the collective impact they continue to make. Currently, Fran works with children with special needs as a SEIT. She earned a Master's in Special Education from the College of Staten Island in her hometown. She furthered her expertise by becoming a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and NY State Licensed Behavior Analyst.
For the past 14 years, Fran has called Jericho home, where she resides with her two daughters, her husband, Tom, and their beloved dog, Brody. Fran has been an active member of The Girl Scouts for many years, has earned her Gold Award, and is now the Service Unit Volunteer Manager for Jericho Syosset Girl Scouts.
Fran is excited to continue growing Jericho Cares' partnerships, outreach and connecting with families across our Island. She is proud to be a part of an organization like Jericho Cares that helps to make the world a better place.
Diane Saunders
Secretary
Diane Saunders has lived in Jericho for the last 32 years. Her three children are all graduates of the Jericho Schools. For the previous 21 years, she was a special education teacher in Freeport, NY. She enjoys spending time with her grown children and granddaughters, reading, and traveling. She has been on the Jericho Educational Foundation, a Girl Scout Leader, and a Catechist at St. Paul the Apostle Church. Diane is proud to be a member of Jericho Cares and work alongside such dedicated women.
Katelyn Slawitsky
Volunteer Coordinator
Katelyn is a life long resident of Jericho and is excited to take on a more active roll with Jericho Cares. She believes it’s very important to help people in need and instills that belief in her own children (3). Katelyn is also a local educator and loves to watch her students grow and become responsible young adults.
Jodi Orbuch
Board Member
Jodi has been a member of the Jericho community for 25 years. Her three daughters are all graduates of Jericho schools. Over the years, Jodi has been an active school community member, serving on many committees and the PTA. She enjoys time with family, traveling, golf, and pickleball. She is proud to be a part of Jericho Cares and is excited to have the opportunity to help her community.
Emmett Goldberg
Social Media Manager
Emmett is a 16-year-old student at Syosset High School. He's passionate about cooking and loves playing sports with his friends in his free time. At school, he is an active member of the Future Leaders of America, the Entrepreneurship Club, and DECA, where he develops skills in leadership and business. He is proud to serve as the Social Media Manager for Jericho Cares, helping to spread awareness for community initiatives. As the firstborn in his family, he enjoys spending time with his little brother and his two loving parents.
Ellie Musmeci
Vice President
Ellie is the Vice President of Jericho Cares and is enthusiastic about supporting her community. She lives in Plainview with her husband, son, and rescue dog, Finley Aloysius. She holds a Master’s degree in Elementary and Special Education from C.W. Post University and previously worked as a special education teacher. Currently, she volunteers full-time and takes pride in Jericho Cares' impact on Long Island families. Ellie especially loves the fun filled annual holiday events and is grateful for the chance to volunteer with her son. She looks forward to expanding JC’s partnerships and enhancing community support. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. In fact, it’s the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead
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Justin De Castri
Board Member
Justin has lived in Jericho for the past nineteen years. He was drawn to Jericho Cares because it would allow him to positively impact the community that he and his family live in. Justin's commitment lies in collaborating with fellow board members and ensuring the continuity of Jericho Cares' essential services for those in need. Justin’s background in technology and business management will bring this experience to improve the lives of others.
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Aria Jafari
Assistant Bookkeeper
Aria Jafari is a high school student at Jericho High School who has been a proud resident of Jericho since he was in 1st grade. He is a well-rounded student who is passionate about community service and business. He actively volunteers for the Chinese Honor Society and has participated in numerous business competitions through his involvement in FBLA. His interests in finance and math have inspired him to bring his skills to Jericho Cares, where his organizational and mathematical abilities help as a bookkeeper. He aspires to make a positive impact in his community and beyond.
Waverly Green
Waverly Green, a graduate of Jericho High School, is now a College of Business student at Stony Brook University. She has created social media posts for Jericho Cares, and is also an active member of our Sunday Bagel Crew. Her love of marketing and creative thinking has helped her spread the word about Jericho Cares. In her free time, she loves to read non-fiction novels, listen to music, and spend time with her family and friends.
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