Floral Park American Legion Post 334 will host the 2006 Citizenship Awards at the Post, located at 15 Elizabeth Street, Friday, May 19, at 8:30 p.m. The program will honor individuals and organizations for outstanding service to the community.

According to Commander Peter Fleig, "The public is invited to attend the 7th Citizenship Award Ceremony to help us honor the recipients. Each person and group has truly made a difference in Floral Park."

The coordinator of the event, Past Commander Bill Corbett, has announced the names of the recipients. "I hope folks who know these fine award recipients will attend the ceremony on the 19th. The Legion members are grateful for the contributions to Floral Park attributed to the men and women we are recognizing. They are individuals and groups who have worked for the betterment of the village, performed courageous acts on behalf of their neighbors or have volunteered or served as a member of a service organization."

Award recipients are as follows: Police Officers Kimberly Scanlon and William Doherty and Village Court Clerk Donald Philips, Floral Park Fire Department Volunteer Paul Pinto, ex-Chief Peter Bilardello of the Floral Park Fire Department, Kiwanis Club of Floral Park, Floral Park Knights of Columbus, Floral Park Lions Club and Floral Park-Bellerose Rotary Club.

Police Officers Scanlon and Doherty and Village Court Clerk Philips demonstrated their professionalism and judgment in actions that led to the arrest of an individual attempting to rob Citibank located at 115 Jericho Turnpike. It was revealed later the man arrested was a much sought after serial bank robber. Ex-Chief Bilardello served as chief of the Floral Park Fire Department from 2005-06. He served on the staff for four years prior and as department engineer for one year. As a member of Active Engine Co. he served as captain, lieutenant and warden. Ex-Chief Bilardello followed the tradition set forth by his father, ex-Chief Bilardello. His two sons, Peter and John, have joined the department too. Volunteer Firefighter Paul Pinto is recognized for providing musical entertainment at the annual dinners held at the Post for disabled veterans. Pinto, a member of the Floral Park Fire Department for 27 years, served as treasurer for 10 years. As a member of Hook & Ladder Co., he served as captain, lieutenant and currently is a warden. The Floral Park Kiwanis Club was established in 1975 and today is recognized as one of 130 clubs that have been designated as an Honors Club by Kiwanis International. Through activities in cooperation with the Key Clubs and Builder's Clubs at Floral Park Memorial High School and Sewanhaka High School and K-Kids at Covert Avenue School, numerous projects, such as the annual car show and family day, have raised funds to help children in the community and beyond. Support of research for Pediatric Lyme disease, scholarships, collecting toys for kids for the holidays, giving turkeys to needy families at Thanksgiving are just a sampling of their good works. The Floral Park Knights of Columbus was founded in 1922. Today the organization has 600 members. The Catholic men's group supports local youth through sponsorship of a Little League team, Boy Scout Troop 678 and Pack 678 and the spirited Free Throw Competition. They give awards to students attending Our Lady of Victory School, Floral Park Memorial High School and Catholic high schools. Other activities include blood drives and support of St. Vincent de Paul Society and local residents in need. Local business leaders and professionals established the Lions Club in 1925. The organization primarily supports charitable projects that involve sight conservation and blindness. The Lions work with hospitals to help expedite cornea transplants and also sponsors clinics for glaucoma patients. Collection boxes for used eyeglasses are a familiar sight in the village. The glasses are refurbished and utilized again. Events such as their annual spaghetti dinner and golf tournaments help raise funds for scholarships for local high school students and for support of seeing-eye dog programs. Lions Park, established by the club, welcomes visitors to Tulip Avenue. The Rotary Club received its charter in 1955 as part of Rotary International. The club's motto - "Service Above Self" - has been demonstrated within the community. Rotary Park is one of the best examples of the group's generosity and concern for the environment - a spot many commuters walk through and pedestrians stop to relax and perhaps have lunch in. Scholarships, holiday programs for the needy and volunteer work at Ronald McDonald House for families of hospitalized children are some of their activities.

The Floral Park American Legion was founded in 1919 and promotes good citizenship and patriotism. The group seeks to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation, to promote peace and goodwill on Earth, to safeguard and transmit to posterity and the principles of justice, freedom and democracy and to help veterans and their families in times of need and sorrow.

The Post conducts Flag Day, Veterans Day and Memorial Day ceremonies and provides awards to local school children and supports local charitable and youth organizations.