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

The Mayor’s Youth Task Force of Rockville Centre announced the 2014 Volunteer of the Year, Caroline Cosgrove. This marks the first time that this award has been given. Caroline, who is in eighth … 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

Animal rights activists removed eight domesticated ducks from the grounds of the Rockville Links Country Club late last month that they say were being starved to death. The eight ducks are Peking … more

Animal rights activists removed eight domesticated ducks from the grounds of the Rockville Links Country Club late last month that they say were being starved to death. The eight ducks are Peking … more

Squads of muscled police officers in slate-colored jumpsuits crowded together on the sidewalk as we made our way up Stamboliiski Boulevard in Sofia, Bulgaria, on June 23, two days after we touched down in the country’s capital. more

Every community needs police officers, teachers, sanitation workers and elected leaders. But every community also needs volunteers, the people whose contributions mean so much yet so often go unnoticed. more