Brandon Aguiar, a Herricks High School junior and an Eagle Scout candidate, spearheaded an Eagle Scout service project along with the assistance of fellow scouts, volunteers and family members under the direction of coordinator P.J. Foley and assistant coordinator Annamaria Testa.
Aguiar suggested an improvement that could be made to the sensory garden at the Herricks Community Center. He presented his ideas before the Herricks Community Fund who helped financially support his project. They built a wheelchair accessible planter box, assembled a pergola to provide shade for the seniors, and refurbished and cleaned up the garden and patio area.
The new planter box was stained and filled with gravel and soil. The brick floor was power washed along with the table and chairs. From planning to execution, the project accumulated more than 500 hours of work. The garden area is now ready for the seniors to enjoy thanks to Aguia and his volunteers.
The Herricks Alzheimer’s Day Program, also known as Our Space, is a social model of adult daycare established in September 1987 for Nassau County residents over the age of 60 with a diagnosis of early to moderate onset of dementia. While the impaired senior is socializing and enjoying recreational activities, their loved one can enjoy and benefit from the respite. In addition, caregiver support groups are offered during the year. The program meets Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Herricks Community Center, 999 Herricks Road in New Hyde Park.
If you would like to volunteer or to make a donation, call Foley or Testa at 516-742-0851. The program is operated by the Herricks School District and is made possible by funding in part from the Nassau County Department of Senior Citizens Affairs through the New York State Office of the Aging, the Town of North Hempstead, the Herricks Community Fund and private donations.
