The first Village Clean-up and Community Block Party was a great success according to the Hoosick Area Youth Center & Community Coalition (HAYC3), organizers of the event. More than 150 volunteers turned up to help clean roadsides, sidewalks, yards and flower beds throughout the Village on Saturday, May 14. After the clean-up, about 50 people stopped by Wood Park to enjoy a hot dog, play games with friends and listen to live music performed by the Tonebenders and the HFCS Jazz Band. The overcast skies likely kept some folks away, but overall the organizers were pleased with the event, particularly the support for the clean-up.
Several businesses, organizations, churches, school groups and families participated. Large groups of youth volunteers focused on the Town athletic fields and Wood Park. A group of the girls lacrosse team players moved through the Village and helped several senior citizens who could not maintain their yards alone.
The list of participants included Bagels & More, Boy Scout Troop #65, Girl Scouts of Hoosick Falls, Hoosick Area Youth Center & Community Coalition, HFCS Class of 2013, HFCS Earth Club, HFCS Fifth Grade Class, HFCS Jazz Band, HFCS Girls Lacrosse Team, HFCS National Honor Society, Immaculate Conception Church, Immaculate Conception Faith Formation, McAuliffe’s Landscaping, St. Mark’s Church, St. Mary’s Academy, Hoosick True Value, Upsy Daisy, Youth Impact, Youth Impact, Jr. and the Youth Summit Team.
This community building event was made possible by the Drug Free Communities Support Grant administered by HAYC3. Donations for the block party were made by Rural Rensselaer County Council for Health, GU Family Markets and Hannaford Supermarkets.