Over the past 12 years, members of the Farmingdale Community Summit Council have invited a variety of local civic organizations and retail storefronts to the annual Expo and Health Fair.
According to President Ken Ulric, the council first formed in the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001, to perform a memorial service for members in the community. The council also erected a permanent monument to memorialize the tragedy.
“Once we did that, we stayed together to improve the quality of life for residents here in town,” Ulric said.
Now, more than a decade later, members of the community council continue to work together to put on its yearly Expo/Health Fair inside the Farmingdale High School gymnasium.
“It is a great opportunity to come together and just be a community,” said Farmingdale School District Superintendent John Lorentz, while exploring the many booths at the fair.
This year’s festivities featured a large display of student artwork entitled Artistic Noise, dogs with Canine Companions for Independence, a live demonstration from Chef Marc Anthony-Bynum, and free samples provided by CaraCara Mexican Grill, Cascarino’s and the DiVine Olive. Several civic organizations were also in attendance, including the Breakfast Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, Farmingdale Youth Council, Farmingdale Federation of Teachers, Kiwanis Club of Farmingdale, and Farmingdale Adult Care.
“I can’t believe it has been 12 years,” said local Rotarian Tina Diamond, who attended the first Community Summit Council event in 2001.
According to Diamond, while the council—much like the expo itself—has grown over the years, it continues to unite members of the school community to to help raise funds for Farmingdale families in need, while still honoring the memories of those who sacrificed their lives on 9/11.
