Chaz Murray, 54, grew up in Merrick bounding through the woods near his home. He became a Boy Scout and went on to camp in the wild. He moved away when he turned 24 and returned seven years ago. On Sunday, he said he was horrified to see the derelict state into which Merrick’s forests off the Meadowbrook Parkway have fallen. Murray, a New York City paramedic, was one of 52 volunteers who came to the woods between Sunrise Highway and Meadowbrook Road in Merrick to clean up debris that had washed from farther north into the forest via the Meadow Brook or had been strewn there by vandals. He said he learned about the cleanup by reading the Merrick Herald Life. more

In his 15 years, Stephen Vaiano has learned what it takes to be a good citizen. Whether it was leading a cleanup of the Tackapausha Preserve, painting a gazebo near the Wantagh train station or organizing a book room at a school in Levittown, Vaiano has spent recent years committed to community service. more

A Wantagh Boy Scout is taking on one of the most extensive community service projects in recent memory as he works his way toward the Eagle rank. more

Seaford Boy Scout Troop 691 has added another Eagle Scout to its ranks. Thomas Tsaveras, 18, received the distinction at a Court of Honor Ceremony on March 15 at Maria Regina Church. more

Local Boy Scouts participated in their troop’s Blue and Gold dinner and ceremony on March 7 at Grace United Methodist Church. The ceremony featured new uniforms, accoutrements and Scouts … more

Brian Spickerman, 17, is involved with Bellmore Boy Scout Troop 192 because he likes taking on responsibilities as a senior patrol leader. Matt Montera, 15, said he enjoys learning new skills at … more

John Garvey, a longtime resident of Wantagh best known for his service as a Boy Scout leader, died on Jan. 5. He was 80. more

Joseph Resch Jr. has been the scoutmaster of Troop 24 in Malverne for 30 years. Before that he was a cubmaster for five years. During his tenure and through his leadership, he has seen 47 boys become Eagle Scouts. more

The death of Zachary Ranftle, 12, who was struck by an SUV near the entrance to Hendrickson Park on the morning of Dec. 11 as he walked to school, left friends and community members reeling, and … more

Partiers enjoyed food, company and dancing at the November holiday party for Camp ANCHOR, the Lido Beach-based program for developmentally disabled adults. Troop 116 helped organize and served food … more