_________________ FREEPORT _________________
Edition Graduation Keepsake
June 22, 2023
HERALD
G R A D U A T E S Graduates
LOOK INSIDE
the C L A S S
OF 2023
the best and brightest
Celebrating the
Class of 2023 VOL. 88 NO. 26
Pride on the Mile event debuts
Three iconic bands reunite
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JUNE 22 - 28, 2023
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Fourth-graders take part in Adopt-a-Cop By MOHAMED FARGHALY mfarghaly@liherald.com
Tim Baker/Herald
Stoked for a summer of keeping swimmers safe Freeport Recreation Center lifeguards, challenged by Aquatics Coordinator Tom Arena, bottom, sharpened their skills in a training session on June 13, in anticipation of another busy season at one of Long Island’s best-known aquatic facilities. ‘We do our best to prepare everybody for the unexpected,’ Arena said of the crew of 38 guards, who range in age from 16 to 65. Additional photo, Page 23.
The Freeport Police Department hosted its highly anticipated annual Adopt-a-Cop event at the Freeport Recreation Center on June 14, bringing together enthusiastic fourth-grade students from various local public schools for a day filled with camaraderie, education and interaction with law enforcement professionals. The now 27-year-old Adopt-aCop program promotes relationships between the Police Department and the community. “Each class is assigned one to three officers who visit them multiple times throughout the
year,” FPD Lt. Andrew Berg said. “The primary goal is to foster positive relations within the community, allowing the students to become familiar with the officers and understand that they are there to provide assistance. By dispelling fear and building trust, the program aims to create a sense of security and ensure that the students view the police as allies who are dedicated to helping and supporting them.” The Adopt-a-Cop program was launched in 1996 after then Deputy Inspector Michael Woodward went to Bayview Avenue School to speak to the students about the Police Department. CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
Freeport’s Jose Medina is MSSN’s Employee of the Year By MOHAMED FARGHALY mfarghaly@liherald.com
Mount Sinai South Nassau has named Jose Medina, a Freeport resident and a longtime hospital staffer, Employee of the Year in honor of his dedication to the facility’s mission to providing standard-setting health care. Medina, an environmental services technician, has worked for nearly 35 years behind the scenes, ensuring that the hospital’s soiled linens and waste are collected and properly removed to be laundered or discarded. Despite not working in patient care areas, Medina has
played a vital part in maintaining MSSN’s cleanliness and safety. “He is our eyes and ears while conducting his work, as he covers the entire building,” Felix Nazario, the administrative director of building services, said. “He’s the unsung hero. He’s not a gentleman that looks for compliments, and he doesn’t expect anything in return. He just does a job every day, and we definitely feel that when he’s not here. When he goes on vacation, right away you know that he’s not in the building.” Born in Cuesta, near San Jose de la Matas in the Dominican Republic, Medina, 62, emigrated to the United States in March
1988, in search of a better life for himself and his family. Just over a month later, he began working at Mount Sinai South Nassau, initially in the laundry department before transitioning to his current job. Medina credits a close childhood friend with referring him to the hospital, marking the beginning of his remarkable journey. “I wanted the American dream, and wanted to do better for myself and my family,” he said. Each day on the job, Medina handles the physically demanding tasks of pushing, pulling, lifting and dumping close to 2,500 pounds of garbage, medical
waste and other materials. Over the course of his career, he has moved a staggering estimated 22,750,000 pounds of it, making clear his dedication to ensuring a clean and hygienic environment for patients and staff alike. Medina expressed his gratitude for the Employee of the Year award, and said it was a great feeling to be acknowledged
after 35 years of hard work. He particularly appreciates the recognition from the hospital’s administration, because it confirms that they see and appreciate his efforts. Medina feels valued for more than just his work, honored for his character, commitment and positive impact on the Environmental Services CONTINUED ON PAGE 5