Sunday, October 16, 2016 was the first event organized by the National Park service and Patchogue Chamber of Commerce to bring together members of the local community to remove the litter and debris from the Patchogue River and neighboring areas. In total, approximately forty volunteers were present that morning to lend a helping hand; of that group a substantial number were from our very own Patchogue-Medford High School.

Thanks to the Key Club, organized by Dr. Borowski, as well as a few other volunteers, our school showed its support for the local community, and its environment. Head organizer, Kaetlyn Jackson, of the Fire Island National Park Service told this reporter that if the volunteer turnout was successful, this event would most likely become an annual, or possibly biannual event, focusing on even larger sections of the river and other local bodies of water. At the site of the cleanup, volunteers gathered to receive their equipment such as gloves and grabbers donated by the Patchogue Chamber of Commerce, St. Joseph’s college, and the Village of Patchogue. No sign up was required and hopefully more people will be able to attend in future years.