Another Successful Year For H.O.P.E.

By Michelle Velez

HOPE club members celebrated Earth Day by kayaking and picking up garbage. Garden City High School's environmental club, Hands on Protecting the Environment (H.O.P.E.), had another fun and rewarding year. Not only did the club surpass the prior success of their annual events, but they also began new traditions that got off to a great start.

In the fall of 2008, H.O.P.E. began the new school year with its annual beach cleanup. The volunteers picked up trash at Lido Beach and were pleased to discover that there was much less garbage on the beach this year, so last year's cleanup really made a difference. H.O.P.E. also took advantage of the beautiful fall weather and went hiking in Suffolk County's West Hills park where they climbed to the tallest point on Long Island, Jayne's Hill. It was both a fun and beautiful experience; the multicolored autumn leaves were stunning.

In January 2009, H.O.P.E. visited Garden City's primary schools for the second time to spread the message of environmental protection to younger students. This year's event was even more successful than its predecessor was because H.O.P.E. club was able to visit all kindergarten and first grade classes in all three of Garden City's primary schools. The club members performed a skit for the kindergarteners about recycling, and played an interactive game with the first graders about ways they can help the environment. The event was a huge success, and H.O.P.E. looks forward to next year's visit and to continuing to encourage environmental awareness in the children of our community.

H.O.P.E. club also sponsored its second successful GCHS Battle of the Bands. All of the proceeds went to Heifer International and the club greatly exceeded last year's donation to the organization.

As always, H.O.P.E. club continued to work with the Garden City Bird Sanctuary to help maintain our local nature preserve as well as to help raise environmental awareness within our own community. Working closely with their friends at the Bird Sanctuary, H.O.P.E helped plan and volunteered at the second annual Halloween Festival and Haunted Hike, and at the First Annual Benefit Yard Sale. The Halloween Festival at the Garden City Bird Sanctuary is always a lot of fun. H.O.P.E. club helped by volunteering at the craft and game stations during the day and scaring hikers during the Haunted Hike when it gets dark. The First Annual Benefit Yard Sale was an immediate success and all of the proceeds went to the World Wildlife Fund and the Bird Sanctuary. Club members also volunteered at the Garden City Bird Sanctuary during fall and spring cleanup sessions and look forward to more cooperative events with the Bird Sanctuary in the future.

H.O.P.E. club also kept up its tradition of participating in the Empire Kayaks' Earth Day Paddle. They cleaned up the waters of Island Park while kayaking and enjoyed the beautiful spring weather.

This year, the club has also successfully beautified the Garden City High School Courtyard by planting flowers, and installing a pond. The club will continue to transform the courtyard in the future.

This year has been an excellent success for H.O.P.E. but they could not have done it without the dedication of this year's club officers. A special thanks to H.O.P.E. Co-Presidents Emily Werner and Danielle Saltiel, Co-Vice Presidents Suzanne Tomitz and Tom Elustondo, Secretary Kacie Flynn, Co-Publicists Michelle Velez and Melissa Nazar, Treasurer Elizabeth Blatz, and Sophomore Representatives Colleen Way and Amanda Nanayakkara. H.O.P.E. club also thanks the club faculty advisor, Mr. Robert Wiedenhoft, and the Garden City Bird Sanctuary for all of their help and support.

H.O.P.E. club looks forward to another successful school year and encourages anyone going to Garden City High School to help our environment and enjoy the outdoors by joining us next year for more fun events!