Brookhaven Town, NY – Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay’s Monthly Mission events continue to bring community members together each month to learn about local issues while participating in hands-on service projects that make a meaningful impact. Launched in September 2025, this event series encourages neighborly camaraderie through volunteerism, providing residents of all ages with opportunities to work alongside local organizations and neighbors to strengthen their community.

Recent Monthly Missions included a wide variety of dynamic, hands-on volunteer projects: May’s Historic Grave Cleaning in Coram and Middle Island; June’s Horseshoe Crab Tagging event at West Meadow Beach in Stony Brook; and July’s Community Cleanup of the Setauket-Port Jefferson Station Greenway Trail. Monthly Missions have brought together hundreds of dedicated community members to engage in meaningful service projects that celebrate local history, natural resources, public safety, and strong communities.

Of her ongoing event series, Assemblywoman Kassay reflected, “Monthly Missions are about rolling up our sleeves, caring for our community, and connecting with one another while we do it. It is a privilege and a pleasure to help connect folks who want to help others with a wide variety of opportunities to do so in their own backyards. From scouts to seniors, the excitement and satisfaction at every event is tangible. I am very grateful to every volunteer, organization, and my office staff for making these monthly events possible.”

In May, more than 50 volunteers gathered at the Davis Town Meeting House before splitting between their cemetery, Union Cemetery in Middle Island, and Old Baptist Cemetery in Coram to carefully clean and preserve gravestones dating back centuries, including many marking the resting place of local veterans. Participants worked alongside and under the direction of historical organizations, including the Three Village Historical Society, Long Island Cemetery Preservation Group, Davis Town Meeting House Society, Middle Island Civic Association, Coram Civic Association, and the Longwood Alliance.

Long Island Cemetery Preservation Group co-founder Rob Von Bernewitz said, “Small historic cemeteries like this are irreplaceable. In many cases, the information carved into these headstones is the only record we have of the early settlers who built this area. By preserving these stones, we’re preserving the first chapters of our local history.”

Dagmar Von Bernewitz, Treasurer of the Davis Town Meeting House said, “I think it’s very important to have events like this with the Assemblywoman because they create opportunities for meaningful social interaction, inspire volunteerism, and bring together people who want to do good in our community.”

President of the Middle Island Civic Association Gail Lynch-Bailey, shared: “I’m really here to say thank you. It means so much to see how many people care about our local history. With the 250th anniversary of our nation, this is exactly the right moment for these stories — and these historic graves — to come to the forefront.”

Chittra Wells of the Setalcott Indian Nation reflected, “I like to do it because it’s therapeutic. As I clean the stones, I honor the ancestors here and even my own. Be grateful that you can go back and find bits and pieces of history to weave together. Cleaning these stones helps reveal that history.”

The following month, over 85 volunteers gathered under the moonlight at West Meadow Beach to assist Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County’s Marine Program with its horseshoe crab monitoring efforts, which take place from late May through early July. Together, volunteers identified, measured, and tagged approximately 200 horseshoe crabs, contributing valuable scientific data to help monitor and protect one of Earth’s oldest living species.

Matthew Sclafani of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County, who helped establish the NY Horseshoe Crab Monitoring Network in 2008 said: “It’s great to see so many volunteers interested in helping with the annual horseshoe crab surveys. Community based science provides hands-on educational opportunities to promote stewardship of our local environmental resources. We appreciate Assemblywoman Kassay’s support of this important project and helping to recruit so many participants at West Meadow Beach.”

Most recently, on July 18th, community members joined Assemblywoman Kassay, Friends of the Greenway, and the Three Village Community Trust for a cleanup of the Setauket-Port Jefferson Station Greenway Trail. Volunteers helped beautify the beloved 3.4-mile trail by picking up litter and preserving the corridor, reinforcing the community’s commitment to maintaining the Greenway following the recent enactment of Assemblywoman Kassay’s Greenway Preservation legislation.

Herb Mones, secretary of the Three Village Community Trust, said, “We are thrilled that Assemblywoman Kassay selected the Greenway to be part of her Monthly Mission Series. In this year of the America 250 celebrations, it is so special that the Assemblywoman played the pivotal role in passing legislation to protect the Greenway for future generations. And we are thankful that the Assemblywoman works to unite the community with her monthly mission projects.”

Friends of the Greenway Chair Charlie McAteer shared, “As chair of the Friends of the Greenway– part of the Three Village Community Trust– this partnering with Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay for this weekend's Greenway clean-up is the icing on the Community Cake given the recently signed NYS bill A10341/S10161 sponsored by Assem. Kassay keeping our Trail Green through the passage of the conservation easement. The people and pets that use the Setauket to Port Jefferson Station Greenway and will use it in the future now know what a Steward of the Greenway we have in Rebecca Kassay keeping our Community Gem both Shining and Forever GREEN!!”

Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay is proud to announce August's Monthly Mission event as the next installation of this ongoing community volunteer program series. She invites community members to join her to pack back-to-school pajama care packages with EJ’s PJs starting at 8:30 AM at Castaways Restaurant, 106 Main St, Port Jefferson.

EJ’s PJs is a nonprofit organization dedicated to collecting and distributing pajamas to children and families in need, providing comfort, dignity, and care at bedtime. During this mission, volunteers will help assemble special back-to-school pajama care packages for local children preparing to return to school this September. Each package will include a new pair of pajamas, school supplies, and a handwritten note of encouragement to help students start the school year with support and love from their neighbors.

In preparation for this mission, Assemblywoman Kassay’s office will be a drop-off location for donations of new, unused pajamas and school supplies for EJ's PJs. Donations may be dropped off at the District Office, located at 149 Main Street, Setauket, NY 11733 OR send supplies directly to EJ's PJs using their Amazon Wish List.Join in as neighbors work together to bring comfort, confidence, and encouragement to local children as they head back to school. Volunteers who wish to sign up can call our office at 631-751-3094 or email us at kassayr@nyassembly.gov.

Assemblywoman Kassay’s Monthly Mission series will continue throughout 2026 with additional opportunities for residents to learn, volunteer, and give back. Community members interested in participating in future missions are encouraged to visit nyassembly.gov/kassay , email at kassayr@nyassembly.gov, or call Assemblywoman Kassay’s office at 631-751-3094 for details about upcoming events.