he Oakdale Improvement Society, the Oakdale Civic Association, and the Knights of Columbus Sunrise Council
6607, in conjunction with Keep Islip Clean, held a cleanup event at the historic Oakdale …
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The Oakdale Improvement Society, the Oakdale Civic Association, and the Knights of Columbus Sunrise Council 6607, in conjunction with Keep Islip Clean, held a cleanup event at the historic Oakdale Long Island Rail Road train station on Saturday, May 13. Over 50 volunteers came out for the event, many of which were students. The Improvement Society, which was founded by Nancy Flynn and Linda Hart in 1990, and incorporated in 1991, has seen a resurgence of younger volunteers in recent years.
“It’s a great way for young families to meet,” said Flynn.
Since inception of the society, the main concern of the group has been the appearance of Montauk Highway throughout the Oakdale area.
Over the years, the society, the Town of Islip, and typically a local business would come together to take care of the landscaping or clean up of a stretch of Montauk Highway.
“The town has always been supportive, and we look for local people to help with things like weeding,” said Flynn.
Jenny Krutaine led the planning and culmination of the past weekend’s cleanup, and Flynn said, “I feel great about Jenny taking this on. It’s a differ- ent generation, and she grew up here and has the community outreach. It’s just natural.”
Brian M. Bast, president of the Oakdale Civic, said, “You can say that ultimately, it’s up to the residents of a community to keep it clean! Sure, you have local government who are “supposed to clean up,” but we all know that litter gets out of control very quickly and if a community wants to live in a nice area, then they must take responsibility and clean it up themselves!”
Rich Baran, of the Knights of Columbus, said, “This is project gives young people the opportunity to get community service hours and at the same token, it gives young folks the sense of belonging. What better way for them to learn community spirit? Today’s youth are confused. They are enduring confusion in our schools.”
Baran went on to say that “it’s people like the Knights as well as Ray Carta showing them [young people] a better way.”
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