East Islip pride stems not only from the camaraderie shared between neighbors, being proud to share a community with your fellow East Islipians, but also from the beauty of the community itself.

The East Islip Beautification Committee (EIBC) is a volunteer nonprofit organization and sub-committee of the East Islip Chamber of Commerce. Led by president Dana Rehm Ehlich, the committee’s mission is to enhance the beauty and pride of East Islip and Islip Terrace.

By applying for Suffolk County Downtown Revitalization Grants each year, the committee is able to get new sidewalks and light posts added for Main Street in East Islip, plus Carleton Avenue and Islip Terrace.

Perhaps the most well-known endeavor of the EIBC are the 180 Hometown Hero banners that honor local veterans.

“People sponsor a banner for their family members, and we only charge them the fee from the printer for the banners and hardware,” shared Ehlich. “Then we put them up, take them down, and I store them and put them up every year at no charge.”

The committee advertises the assembling and dismantling of the banners as a volunteer opportunity each year. The East Islip Beautification Committee also relies on volunteers to put up and take down holiday decorations on Main Street each year, including lighted angels, wreaths, and candy canes on light poles.

This year, Ehlich and the committee faced complaints that the holiday decorations adorning Main Street were not grand enough, with some residents wishing the decor was more reminiscent of the decorations on Main Street in Islip hamlet.

However, the grand garland adorning light poles in Islip is a costly feat, and would cost the EIBC about $200 per pole for 90 poles. Ehlich had reached out to nearby businesses in the past for corporate sponsorships to fund such decor, with no luck. Additionally, the lack of volunteers showing up for the assembling and dismantling of the decorations increased difficulty.

“People are struggling to pay for their homes. They have families, second jobs, children—it is not easy,” sympathized Ehlich. “But our group—there are only about four of us left at this point. We are getting older and it is harder for us, too.”

To bring more holiday joy to East Islip’s streets, Ehlich created a GoFundMe to raise money for purchasing commercial-grade garland with lights and a red bow for 90 light poles on Main Street.

At the end of the summer, a sign-up sheet will be created on a first-come, first-served basis for families to sponsor a pole. Each family will decorate a pole with a tag with their name on it or a dedication to a loved one. The EIBC will only charge the cost of printing the tag that would be attached to the light post.

By reaching the GoFundMe goal, the EIBC will be able to purchase the decorations to be distributed later in the year. An impressive $8,480 has already been donated. Through these generous donations, families will be able to decorate their sponsored pole together, making decorating Main Street a family tradition.

Ehlich also played a role in creating another ongoing holiday tradition beloved by all who drive through Main Street during Christmas time: the Peace on Earth skyline sign.

When she started on the East Islip Beautification Committee a decade ago, Denise Torino, of Seal the Deal Realty, asked what she could donate. Ehlich wanted a skyline that said, “Peace on Earth,” but it was costly. Torino donated her own money and collected enough donations for the purchase.

Now, Connor Hollborn, of Hollborn Electric, puts the East Islip staple up with a smile every year.

“As a fourth-generation member of this wonderful community, I’ve always believed in the power of giving back. I feel privileged to be able to contribute to this ongoing tradition of hanging the Peace sign in the heart of our town,” said Holborn. “It is something I look forward to each year and hope that one day, my son will continue the tradition.”

By raising funds for holiday decorations, soon the new pole-decorating will allow East Islip families to join in on their own family fun, creating a new holiday tradition. If you are interested in cultivating EI pride and investing in a merry atmosphere for years to come, donate to the GoFundMe, titled “Bring Holiday Joy to East Islip’s Streets,” which can be accessed through the following link:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/bring-holiday-joy-to-east-islips-streets?utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&attribution_id=sl%3A3d64ba52-837b-4d47-8c4c-250b5a3266ab.

Additionally, if you are interested in beautifying your community throughout the year, follow the East Islip Beautification Committee Facebook page for updates and announcements of volunteer opportunities.

“It seems like it’s a simple thing to hang a banner, or a decoration, yet most of us don’t know how much effort goes into it,” added Gary Teich, president of the East Islip Chamber of Commerce. “We hope that this show of support is a sign of things to come. The dates and times are posted on the same social media that people use to post their comments. Moving forward, we hope this brings out more community support.”