Town Of Babylon Officials Thank Babylon Bocce Club For Exceptional Toys For Tots Donation
Town of Babylon Supervisor and Council
Members issued a heartfelt thank-you to the Babylon Bocce Club for their extremely generous donation to Councilman
Terence McSweeney’s annual toy drive in partnership with the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation.
Each year, the club’s
contribution helps ensure that children and families facing hardship are still able to experience the joy of the holiday season.
Councilman McSweeney noted that he is continually “amazed by how much this incredible club can provide for families and children who are less fortunate.”
He praised the group’s unwavering commitment
to giving back, calling their generosity “one of the many things that make the Babylon community so special.”
Town of Babylon Deputy Supervisor and Councilman Tony Martinez also commended the club’s compassion, stating:
“The Babylon Bocce Club sets the standard for what community giving looks
like. Their kindness makes a real difference in the lives of local families.”
Councilman McSweeney, who organizes the Marine Corps Toys for Tots toy drive each year, added:
“Each year, I’m humbled by the Bocce Club’s generosity. Their support ensures that countless children experience the joy of the holiday season.”
Babylon Bocce Club
President Santo Crocco expressed pride in his members’ continued dedication to the community, saying:
“Our club has always believed in lifting up our neighbors. If we can help make a child’s holiday brighter, then we’ve done our job. I’m incredibly proud of our members and
the heart they put into this effort every year.”
Town officials thanked the club once again for stepping up in such a meaningful way. Their continued generosity and community spirit remain a shining example of what makes Babylon a strong and caring community.
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The Origins Of Christmas Stockings
The holiday season is rife with tradition. Some holiday traditions, such as holiday lighting displays, are easy to notice, while others are more subtle and possibly even unknown to many celebrants. One tradition that falls into the latter category involves the placing of oranges into Christmas stockings. The origins of Christmas stockings are rooted in legend and one of the more popular tales involves a widowed father of three beautiful girls. According to Smithsonian.com, this father struggled to make ends meet and was concerned that his financial struggles would affect his daughters' ability to find a spouse. As the legend goes, St. Nicholas was wandering through the man's town and heard of his concerns. Recognizing that the man was unlikely to accept charity, St. Nicholas slid down the chimney of his house and placed three gold balls in the girls' recently laundered stockings, which were hanging by the fire to dry. The value of the gold balls, which were discovered the following morning, was enough to ensure the girls could eventually wed. So what does that have to do with oranges? Those who wanted to replicate the tale could not so easily come upon gold balls to place in stockings, so they chose something similar in appearance: oranges.
Not even driving rain or freezing temperatures could dim the spirit of North Babylon, as families, volunteers, and first responders carried on one of the community’s most cherished holiday traditions: decorating the neighborhood lampposts. The annual beautification effort, coordinated through the North Babylon Beautification Society, once again demonstrated the strength, pride, and
North Babylon Families Brave Stormy Weather To Keep Holiday Lamppost Tradition Alive
togetherness that define the town.
Leading this year’s operation was North Babylon Beautification Ambassador Denise Heegan, whose planning, leadership, and hands-on teamwork were widely applauded. Heegan — joined by her family, extended relatives, and a dedicated circle of friends — worked through harsh weather conditions to ensure every pole was decorated with care and holiday spirit.
“Our community shines brightest because of residents like Denise and her family,” said Town of Babylon Supervisor Rich Schaffer. “Their commitment, even in the worst of weather, truly reflects the heart and character of North Babylon.”
Volunteers from the North Babylon Fire Company and the North Babylon Junior Fire Company also played a major role, hauling supplies, tying decorations, and ensuring the tradition continued despite the storm.
Councilman and Town Beautification Chairman
Terence McSweeney said the day showcased the best of North Babylon. “This is what community is all about,” McSweeney said. “Neighbors, firefighters, and families coming together in the pouring rain just to make someone else’s holiday brighter — that’s what makes North Babylon extraordinary.”
The Junior Fire Company’s participation was a highlight of the day. Its director, Kathy Mazur, expressed pride in the young volunteers’ enthusiasm. “Our juniors looked forward to this,”
Mazur said. “They love giving back, and seeing them out there in the cold, smiling and working hard, makes me incredibly proud. I’m thrilled to see these kids understand the power of a community that comes together.”
NYS Assemblyman Michael Durso praised the effort as an example of community-driven tradition at its finest. “North Babylon never hesitates to step up,” Durso said. “Seeing families and first responders working together in terrible weather shows just how strong and united this community is.”
For Heegan, the event is more than a beautification project — it’s a beloved tradition that brings neighbors closer year after year. “Seeing everyone show up despite the weather is incredible,” Heegan said. “It proves how much people care about our community.”
Now, with festive lampposts lining the streets, North Babylon enters the holiday season illuminated not only by decorations but by the dedication and resilience of the people who make this community shine.
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Applications Now Being Accepted For The Fourleaf Federal Credit Union Scholarship Program
FourLeaf Federal Credit Union recently announced that applications for its annual Scholarship Program are now open. High school seniors are invited to apply for financial assistance as they prepare for college. Designed to support hardworking, communityminded students, the program provides awards that can help offset the
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