Community Spirit Spruces Up Longwood!

Brookhaven roadways get their annual spring cleaning

By Colleen Maidhof The North Shore Sun| April 18, 2011 in Featured Stories Share|

COLLEEN MAIDHOF PHOTO | Members of the Middle Island Civic Association participated in Saturday’s Great Brookhaven Cleanup.

Were you driving around Brookhaven Saturday wondering why a bunch of people in neon green shirts were cleaning litter off the side of the road? Those were hard-working volunteers from the Great Brookhaven Cleanup.

More than 5,000 people registered throughout Brookhaven to participate in the event. Volunteers cleared litter from wooded areas, shopping centers, parks, and roadsides, so the town would be cleaner and safer for community members. Volunteers also tended to destination areas to help restore and fix what needed attention.

“Our goal is to put ourselves out of business by getting community members active in cleaning up litter and replenishing the community, not just for the day but permanently,” said Middle Island Civic Association president Tom Talbot, who co-chairs the town’s anti-litter task force. “Last year we gathered about 80 tons of litter in one day. Cleaning up is good for the town, and it gives people a sense of community.”

The Middle Island Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and Longwood Alliance joined members of the Middle Island Civic in cleanup efforts in their hamlet.

Locations such as Bartlett Pond Park and Trinity Methodist Cemetery were among the areas cleaned up by the crews.