Hewlett resident earns Eagle Scout rank

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Joseph Cavataio, an 18-year-old from Hewlett, earned the prestigious Eagle Scout rank, the highest honor in Boy Scouts at a ceremony on Jan. 7.

The Hewlett High School graduate and freshman at Norwich University in Vermont gained his Eagle Scout status through a project that collected roughly 1,000 eyeglasses that will be recycled.

Dr. Gerard D’Adversa and his staff, Dr. Norman Saffra and his staff and Ophthalmic Consultants of Long and Eyes on Broadway helped Cavataio with the project as well as former Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, who sponsored the collection boxes.

“I decided to do my project based on my past experience and collect used eyewear to redistribute out to the public for Hope Day,” Cavataio wrote in a description of his project. “For several years I participated in a community outreach with my church, which is partnered with Convoy of Hope, also known as Hope Day. For my Eagle Scout Project I collected used prescription eyewear and with help from some local doctors in town and their staff, I was able to give the eyewear out by prescription. This was a such a great day that many people attended and received the help they needed.”