On Saturday May 3rd, the Town of Babylon’s Annual Earth Celebration was held at Town Hall Park in Lindenhurst, with hundreds of residents and dozens of vendors in attendance – making this year’s event the most successful one yet. Over thirty vendors and booths were set up on the lawn of Town Hall to display various environmental displays and giveaways for guests. In attendance for the event were Supervisor Rich Schaffer, Deputy Supervisor Tony Martinez, Councilwoman Jacqueline Gordon, Councilman Tom Donnelly, Receiver of Taxes Corinne DiSomma, Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory, Suffolk County Legislator Kevin McCaffrey and Babylon Village Mayor Ralph Scordino.
Thirty two booths and presentations were set-up for residents to experience and learn about environmental issues. Representatives from Town’s Department of Environmental Control were on-hand to showcase the Town’s environmental efforts, including the successful Long Island Green Homes program, the Geiger Lake Park Redevelopment, and storm water management programs. Residents were provided with free “pooper scoopers” and reusable grocery bags made from recycled materials. The Town Animal Shelter was also in attendance with pets from the shelter that are currently looking for their new homes.
Several school and community organizations took part in this year’s event, including two groups Suffolk County Community College. The college’s Community Service Club painted, prepared and raffled off residential rain barrels, which collect storm water from roofs for preservation and reuse. Also from Suffolk County Community College was Phi Theta Kappa, who collected old sneakers for Nike’s Reuse-A-Shoe program, which recycles athletic shoes for use in inner-city playgrounds and sports courts across the country. Students from North Babylon High School’s Environmental Science program also had a booth to display some of their environmental projects while representatives from the West Babylon Main Street Organization sold plants to residents in honor of Mother’s Day.
Also on-hand were businesses and vendors, such as Lowe’s Home Improvement and Vivant Solar, to display their “green” products, some of which were raffled off. Residents were invited to “spin the wheel” at 7-Eleven’s table to win free coffee and food.