Record Turnout To Beautify The Station At The 7th Annual Huntington Station Spring Cleanup

On Saturday, April 16^th 2016 over 150 volunteers of all ages came together at the 7^th Annual Huntington Station Spring Cleanup to pick up trash, sweep the sidewalks, and freshen up Huntington Station. When they were finished, over 100 bags of trash and debris were collected from West Hills Road to Gateway Plaza at Olive Street along New York Avenue, and from East 11^th Street to New York Avenue down Depot Road. Organizers Friends of Huntington Station Latin Quarter (HSLQ), Huntington Station Happy Helpers (HSHH) and Huntington Matters report that this was the largest territory covered in the history of the annual event.

The great cause and beautiful day brought out record numbers of enthusiastic volunteers like Cesar Rosales. “I heard about this and I wanted to be a part of it. I took the day off from work to come.” After registration, and signing up to receive free DNAnet Anti-Theft kits from Suffolk County Legislator William “Doc” Spencer’s office, volunteers enjoyed donated hot beverages, bottled water, muffins, brownies and bananas from 7-11. “It’s a pleasure to be here giving back to this great community” said Maureen from 7-11. “I love this event! Everyone does such a great job.”

Xavier Palacios, President of HSLQ and Vice President of Huntington Matters, welcomed the crowd and thanked everyone for coming, saying “It’s so great to see so many young people here today.” Armed with donated supplies from the Huntington Station Business Improvement District, HSHH (through a Source The Station Action Grant), HSLQ, County Line Hardware, and Super Sweep, volunteers dispersed all along the main streets of Huntington Station.

Six teen groups – Suffolk County Police Department 2^nd Precinct Explorers, Huntington Manor Fire Department Explorers, Melville Fire Department Explorers, Halesite Fire Department Explorers, Huntington Community First Aid Squad Explorers, and the youth group from Iglesia Luz de Salvacion (Church of Salvation and Light) worked South down both sides of New York Avenue. Huntington Matters’ Matt Harris rode his bicycle along the route delivering bottled water to the workers, while Patricia Rockelein turned her family van into a shuttle to replenish supplies and transport groups. Huntington Town Board Member Tracey Edwards stopped by to witness everyone’s efforts.

“This event summarizes the best part of living in Huntington Station…the heart of the people. I highly encourage everyone to spend a few minutes and get to know some of your neighbors and local business owners. We’re surrounded by extraordinary people who really care.” said June Margolin, President of Huntington Matters and the Coordinator of the Huntington Matters Neighborhood Watch with SCPD 2^nd Precinct Officer Angela Ferrara.

Volunteers from Huntington Head Start, Source The Station, local business owners and neighborhood families got to know each other while cleaning the Station during the beautiful afternoon. The Cava family from Dix Hills Evangelical Free Church brought a rake from home. “I learned from last year” said Dave. “It works great.”

John Marcinka, Jr., owner of Quality Island Landscaping, Inc., arrived with his crew, tools, and a dump truck full of donated mulch to weed, clean, and freshen up the gardens of Gateway Plaza with several other volunteers. “We had NO IDEA he was coming to do this!” exclaimed Laura Palacios, of HSLQ and Huntington Matters, “It looks amazing!”

The afternoon wrapped up at Guiseppe’s Pizza and Pasta on New York Avenue in Huntington Station where every volunteer received a donated lunch of a slice of pizza and soda in appreciation for their hard work. New York State Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci visited with residents as they relaxed.

Dr. Lehti Laas-Ramos and Heather Carino formed Huntington Station Happy Helpers and started the Annual Spring Cleanup 8 years ago in memory of Lehti’s mother, Carmen Ramos Calixto Laas. Every day, Carmen picked up litter as she walked from Olive Street to St. Hughes Roman Catholic Church down New York Avenue to attend mass. “The great thing about the cleanup is it started very small and over the years as more civic groups have formed the participants have grown in number and many people are now aware and see the positive actions of others in the Station.” said Dr. Laas-Ramos. “Many are inspired to continue their own efforts in their own little way and that makes all the time and energy spent worth it.”

Photographs by: Dana Richter, Matt Harris, Mary Beth Kraese