Merrick’s youth ‘rake’ a difference

With clean-up tools in hand, Merrick’s youth gathered at Cammanns Pond Park on Nov. 10 for the South Merrick Community Civic Association’s Youth Club’s first group outing. More than 20 children participated by raking leaves and planting fresh, winter-friendly greens.
“I’m impressed with how these kids took the bull by the horns,” said Fred Jones, a recently-inducted SMCCA trustee and co-planner of the Youth Club. Jones, along with Trustee Tricia Sattar, aim to make the club a place for younger residents to get involved in the Merrick community.
While the Cammanns Pond clean-up idea spawned at the group’s first meeting, several other events are being considered — and fun is always in mind, Sattar said. Bake sales, movie nights, car washes and block parties are only a few examples of potential plans.
“It’s a balance of volunteering and philanthropy, but also fun,” Sattar said. “It’s an opportunity for children to respect their community, and they showed that they want to.”
Sattar and Jones also hope the community’s overall civic engagement will increase, they said. SMCCA meetings are held on the third Wednesday of every month at the Merrick Golf Clubhouse (2550 Clubhouse Road). Follow the Herald Life for more details.
— Andrew Garcia