Nassau County Legislature Presiding Officer Richard Nicolello, joined with members of the Legislature, Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joe Saladino and members of the Town Board to send off the region’s largest supply of donations collected by county residents to help refugees in Ukraine. The last boxes were loaded onto a truck provided by Hendrickson Fire Rescue Equipment, and will be driven to the Port of New Jersey, where they will be transported to Poland, to help the refugees escaping Ukraine.
Last month, the Majority Caucus of the Nassau County Legislature and the Town of Oyster Bay initiated the collection drive and opened drop off locations at various County and Town facilities. Residents were able to drop off much-needed supplies including medical items, and personal hygiene products in an effort to help the crisis abroad. County locations included Eisenhower Park, Grant Park, Cantiague Park, Wantagh Park, Christopher Morley Park, Nickerson Beach and the Theodore Roosevelt Legislative Building. The donations were then stored at the Town of Oyster Bay Department of Public Works warehouse in Syosset, where their journey to Europe begins.
“The people of Nassau County opened their hearts to the plight of the Ukrainian people and rallied around them to donate necessary supplies to help those fleeing the Russian invasion,” Presiding Officer Richard Nicolello said. “Thank you to everyone who donated supplies. Together, we have put together the largest collection in the region, and we have given those in danger hope.”
“What is happening in Ukraine is a travesty. Thank you to the people of Nassau County for coming together to provide supplies for so many people who have been forced from their homes,” Legislator Steve Rhoads said. “The good will of the people of Nassau County has led to the largest collection drive in the region. Thank you everyone who helped.”
In total, more than 45,000 pounds of items were collected for Ukrainians forced to leave their homes. It is the largest collection on Long Island of supplies for the refugees.
