The Garden City Bird Sanctuary nature preserve will be holding its 5th Anniversary Celebration on April 29. Yes, it's been five years since the initial site cleanup by a Girl Scout group and middle school students. Since this small start, six young men have earned a Boy Scout Eagle Award through work at the bird sanctuary, and one student was semifinalist in the national Intel Science Competition. Other awards have been received from the USEPA, Long Island Leisure Services Association, Western Property Owners Association, and 1010 WINS Radio/Genovese Drugs. We have supplied numerous materials and plants for school, youth and Scout groups that help out at the sanctuary, but need your support to help continue our volunteer work. The entire community can be very proud of the improvements made to this area during the last five years.

The local students will also be sponsoring a "walk-a-thon" during the morning of April 29 to help raise operating funds. I hope all businesses and residents can join this walk or support their efforts. Brooklyn Union/KEYSPAN has generously offered to donate T-shirts for all walkers. For entry and sponsor forms, contact me at 326-1720 or email ROBALVEY@aol.com.

We hope to unveil information/map boards, as well as new benches, fencing and garden areas at the 5th anniversary. Our funds our limited to the generosity of supporters. There are also less costly, but still much needed items, such as post and rail fencing or nest boxes. Business, church, alumni and residential support will be needed to fund these items. If you would like to contribute toward any of the items shown on the attached sheet, please contact me by April 15. If you would like to advertise in our program for the Fifth Anniversary Celebration, please return the enclosed form with your advertisement. I urge you to support this not-for-profit organization. Some businesses also provide matching funds for employee donations, so please contact us if you need information.

Rob Alvey