Volunteering

A team of Investors Bank employees recently volunteered their time to turnover garden beds, weed and plant at the Options for Community Living Greenhouse and gardens located in Medford, New York. Options – a Long Island not-for-profit serving people with chronic physical and mental illnesses – operates a Greenhouse where residents grow flowers and vegetables as well as plants that are sold at seasonal fundraising events and at the Options Thrift Store, located at 392 Hawkins Avenue, Ronkonkoma, New York.

The Investors Bank employees helped weed and prepare the soil for planting, installed screening to help protect the garden from the deer and rabbit populations and planted vegetables and flowers. “The volunteers were so wonderful. I am thankful for their help getting us ready for the planting season,” said Options’ Horticulturist Jason Mullen. “Their impact will go far beyond the work they have done because we will be able to use the revitalized garden beds for many seasons to come.”

"It has been a pleasure to volunteer at the Options Greenhouse," said Investors Bank Branch Manager Amanda Seppi. "We love having the opportunity to go out into the community to help the people around us who need it most.” Investors Bank encourages all of its employees to volunteer in the community whenever possible, including carving out time during the workday for special opportunities. "Our company believes community commitment is a mindset that influences how we live our lives and conduct business every day," Seppi said.

Options for Community Living provides care coordination and affordable supportive housing to assist Long Islanders to live independently with dignity in the community. The Greenhouse provides a pre-vocational training opportunity for individuals interested in learning basic horticultural skills. Options’ residents find growing and nurturing plants in a supportive environment to be therapeutic and productive. Fresh vegetables grown in the gardens this summer will also help supplement the residents’ meals. “Eating a healthy diet is so important for our residents and being able to provide fresh vegetables grown in our own gardens is a major benefit,” stated Mullen.

Photo Caption: Investors Bank employees recently volunteered at the Options for Community Living Greenhouse (l to r): Jody Burke (Options Board President), Paul Pierno, Michael Billia, Kathy Rucci, John Savarese, Amanda Seppi, Patricia Hendrick and Brittany Scorcia.

About Options for Community Living, Inc.

Established in 1982, Options for Community Living, Inc. operates residential programs for adults with mental illness and affordable supportive housing and care coordination services for individuals and families with chronic health conditions. Options’ mission to assist people to live independently and with dignity in the community has grown through the years to serve more than 1,800 adults and children annually. The agency also runs the Options Thrift Shop, which is open year-round, Tuesday through Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Thrift Shop’s phone number is 631.676.4579. For more information about Options for Community Living, Inc., please visit the website at www.optionscl.org or call 631.361.9020.