Young people from all over Albany County spent time cleaning parks and tending to local gardens during a celebration of youth service.
Albany County, Town of Colonie and City of Cohoes Youth Bureaus helped host a local celebration for the 2010 Global Youth Service Day on Saturday, April 24, 2010.
Albany County Executive Mike Breslin said it is important for the youth who participated to sets a good example, and encourage other young people to serve the community in addition to a number of other benefits.
One, make them aware of the needs of others and two it shows them that if they get organized and get out there, they will really make a difference, Breslin said.
Breslin has been a part of the project for three years, since its inception in Albany County.
A recognition ceremony was held at the Lincoln Park Bathhouse in Albany during the afternoon.
In addition to Breslin, Lucille McKnight D-Albany, and chairwoman of the Youth Board in Albany County, Children, Youth and Families
Commissioner Colette Poulin Margaret Diggs, executive director of the County Youth Bureau and Ryan Horstmyer, D-Loudonville, who also sits on the Youth Board and were in attendance at the event.
`Volunteering and giving back to the community,` are essential activities for youths to participate in, McKnight said.
Service project sites included the Regional Food Bank, Mohawk Hudson River Humane Society, American Red Cross, Capital District Community Gardens, Lincoln Park, Mercy House, Washington Park, the Boys and Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, Capital City Rescue Mission, the Albany Damien Canter and the City of Cohoes Park Beautification program, according to organizers.
Poulin said the this is the third year Albany County participated in Global Youth Day, and said service activities ranged from working at local parks, to raking and tending to community gardens.
Margaret Diggs, executive director of the County Youth Bureau said more than 400 participants were involved in this year’s event, up from the 300 last years.
`We picked up some tread,` she said.
Representatives from the Albany Police Athletic League, Parson’s, LaSalle School, St. Anne’s Institute, the Boys and Girls Club, Hispanic Outreach Services, Israel A.M.E. Church, Girls Inc. and Jobs Corps were on hand, according to event organizers.
Allie Poll, of Delmar, is a Bethlehem Central High School graduate and SUNY Stonybrook student, helped plan the event said she was happy to have the opportunity to give back to the community and continue to serve Albany County.
Poll is on the Youth Bureau Board, and has a track record of community service, as she was Key Club president, a Capital City Rescue Mission volunteer and Habitat for Humanity volunteer.
`I love it,` she said. `It’s been amazing.`
Christian Holsapple, also a former BCSC student, said giving to the community has its benefits.
`You feel good about yourself,` he said. `You know you’re doing the right thing.`
Global Youth Service Day started in 1988 and has had nearly 37 million participants.
The event was sponsored by KOHL’s and was supported by Stewarts Shoppes, Price Chopper, McDonald’s Hannaford, Subway, Valvoline, Home Depot, Sam’s Club, Sysco, BJ’s Wholesale Club and the Colonie Police Benevolent Association.
Entertainment at the event featured a demonstration from Miss Nanny’s Double Dutch League and karaoke, including a duet by McKnight and Breslin, who performed, `You Are My Sunshine.`
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