Show Love and Support for John and Penny Kanaras

Update 3/6

Today there was a beautiful outpouring of love for John, Penny, Rachael, his sister Trissy and family, and his Baldwin Coach Diner family. The Lions officiated a warm heartfelt ceremony to celebrate the life of their fellow member and friend. Thank you all for your generous support. Penny and Rachael are forever grateful. Let’s continue our efforts to support this wonderful family.

Donate. Share. Pray.

Update 3/3

With a heavy heart, Penny shared John’s passing with all of us this evening. She has asked for continued prayers for the whole family as they are devastated by this painful loss. As friends of John and Penny we ask you to Donate, Share, Pray. Let’s join together to support Penny, Rachael and their family and work to relieve them of the financial burden incurred from John’s medical care. You gave so much to this world John. You are in the arms of the angels now, may you rest in eternal peace.

Update 2/23

Thank you to all who have donated to this campaign, shared the link, and are offering continuous prayers of strength and support. John, (Penny’s adored Mr. K), is now in his 8th week of hospitalization to address his compromised health issues. Penny is so grateful for the outpouring of love and support surrounding them. Please continue to Donate, Share, and Pray to offer support for John, Penny, and their family. Each contribution, no matter the amount, joins with others to lighten the financial burden and sends a message of support.

John and Penny Kanaras love their community, and we, their community, have the opportunity, now, to show them how much we love and appreciate them. John has been hospitalized, ultimately needing the care of the ICU for nearly two months now, including a couple of days in rehab before it became medically necessary for him to return to the hospital. What began as pneumonia, rapidly progressed and has taken a toll on John’s overall health. Despite the challenges, he fights everyday to heal and regain his health with Penny by his side. Their love and devotion to each other and their daughter Rachael is what it means to be family. Speaking of family…

According to an online article in the Long Island Herald.com, from November 21st, 2019, written by Bridget Downes, “John Kanaras was only a year old when his father opened a diner on the corner of Sunrise Highway and Central Avenue in Baldwin in 1964.” John took over the diner following the passing of his father, Peter Kanaras, in March of 2019. In the article John described his father as “…a great guy - a staple of the community.” Whenever you ask people to describe John, the answer is exactly the same.

John and Penny, with their sister Trissy and brother-in-law Ricky Navas, continue Peter’s legacy, remaining very involved with our community including the schools, houses of worship, and community organizations. When you stop in for a fundraising donation, the answer is always, “Of course, what can we do, how can we help?” John and Penny, through the Baldwin coach diner, have impacted innumerable people. The diner is where people, year after year, come from Baldwin and our neighboring towns to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, school concerts and plays, family gatherings, brunch after services, and to just spend quality time together. In some cases, they have watched us grow, and now are watching our children grow. They are, and have been, a true staple of our community. They make it known that their establishment is one that is inclusive, welcoming people of all kinds and needs. A place for friends and families to share a meal.

When asked to comment about the diner in the online article, Penny said, “It’s my family. It doesn’t matter if you’re alone because you’re never alone…it’s warm and inviting and we love our people.” It is time for all of us to give back, to let John and Penny know that they are not alone and just as they love us, we love them.

Please donate and share so that John and Penny feel our love and support. We, the Baldwin Coach family, have the power to relieve some of their tremendous burden during this incredibly challenging time. Thank you for showing your love to John and Penny. As you can only imagine, it is appreciated from the bottom of their HUGE hearts. Throughout the last couple of months when you ask Penny what she needs, her response is “Pray, please just pray.” On behalf of John and Penny, we ask you all to donate, share, pray. Your family loves you John and Penny.