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

Since April is National Volunteer Month, let’s consider what volunteering really is: a vital part of every community . . . more

As we headed back to the Guy Lombardo Marina in Freeport, navigating through Freeport waterways two days before Thanksgiving, the pile of trash on our boat was both gratifying and alarming. more

Girl Scout Troops 2124 and 2033 members got together on Saturday to make some seasonal adjustments to the Farm at Oyster Bay. Valley Stream South High School student Allyce Yang, 16, built a cold … more

Everyone is entitled to read a good book. That’s the belief of staff members at the Henry Waldinger Memorial Library, and that’s why they created the homebound delivery service nearly two decades ago. more

It’s been four years since Tony Spezio has had a child in Valley Stream schools. But to him, that doesn’t make a difference. more

Each week, hundreds of people stop by the Henry Waldinger Memorial Library to check out books and movies, use the computers or attend programs. For many of them, their experience is made better because of the library’s dedicated group of teen volunteers. more

No community would be what it is without volunteers. April is National Volunteer Month . . . more

Our schools, our businesses, our town departments that maintain the roads and infrastructure and the village and county police units that patrol our streets all contribute to the quality of life we enjoy here on the South Shore. more

Serving the community has long been the mission of the Valley Stream Lions Club, a group of dedicated men and women who meet twice a month to think up ways to help others. more