The Morton Civic Association has been a staple in the Franklin Square and West Hempstead communities since 1951. The nonprofit helps neighbors out with quality of life concerns and organizes fun events throughout the year to help bolster community pride.
Joseph Romeo and Domenico Ciaccio, co-presidents of the civic association, have led the organization for more than a decade.
Romeo first joined the civic in 2010 when he moved to Franklin Square. He became president of the civic in 2012 to help out in the community with its 770 members. A large part of the responsibility with the organization is managing the relationship between civic association members and Petro Home Services, Romeo said.
Ciaccio joined the civic in 2013 and shortly thereafter became co-president. He moved to Franklin Square in 2012 and fell in love with the “neighborly love” that makes Franklin Square home.
Ciaccio and Romeo also manage the civic’s events committee to organize fun outings for the community.
Most recently, the Morton Civic Association hosted a trunk or treat Oct. 20 where they welcomed neighbors throughout the town to grab a sweet treat and have some Halloween-themed fun.
The civic will also host its annual tree lighting ceremony in November in Franklin Square.
“Last year it was a huge success, and we want to build on that to have another great event for members and non-members,” Ciaccio said of the tree lighting. “Everyone from the Franklin Square community is welcome.”
Ciaccio and Romeo are committed to working with local organizations to better the community.
“The end goal is the same: to make Franklin Square better,” Ciaccio said.
All of the work that the civic does in the community is in hopes to help the next generation, Romeo said.
“In us, we were instilled to give the best community service and value, and truthfully treat everyone as you want to be treated and if not better,” Romeo said. “And the reason for that is I see my kids now growing up, 7 and 9, and if we don’t hold an event like this or if they see something on the floor in the Dogwood Shopping Center they want to also help. So it’s kind of setting the foundation, also, for future generations to come so that this can continue to be a community that people love for generations.”
As a neighbor in the community, Romeo enjoys the mix of families who are new to the community and those who have called Franklin Square home for generations.