Harrison Leaf Collection, Holiday Activities: Mayor

From the Mayor and Town Hall, November 27, 2017

As the holiday season is upon us, I hope you all had a restful and joy filled holiday weekend. The Harrison Girl Scouts had a busy season as the troops donated thirteen baby baskets to two local hospitals to commemorate the October 31st birthday of Juliette Low, GSUSA founder. The baskets contained essential items and were topped off with a Future Girl Scout bib. The scouts also assembled and donated twenty-six Thanksgiving baskets, containing items for a traditional Thanksgiving feast, to the Harrison Food Pantry.

In Harrison, leaf collection runs from October through December. Our Department of Public Works entire, full-time highway staff and seasonal temporary employees perform this municipal service. The work detail is divided into several routes. Leaf crews remain on their route for the entire season, giving each resident numerous opportunities to take their leaves to the curb for removal. Town personnel make every effort to remove the leaf piles as quickly as possible. Crews usually take 7 to 10 working days to complete one entire route before beginning again. Our Department of Public Works is not able to indicate exactly when crews will be in a specific neighborhood or on a particular street, as those work details are contingent on the day to day progress, of our highway department, during the leaf removal season. That being said, all leaf piles must be curb side by December 15th, the first day of this year’s last leaf collection cycle. I appreciate your patience as we continue to clear our roadways.

I would like to take this time to recognize the Interfaith Congregational Laymen’s Committee (ICLC) of Harrison. The ICLC is an interfaith fellowship, of lay representatives, from local congregations. Every year, the Committee extends a town-wide invitation to an important celebration. This year, St. Anthony’s of West Harrison hosted an assembly that underscores the theme, “Diversity of Faiths”. It was a wonderful event and provided an opportunity for all attendees to recognize the richness and value in each other’s beliefs.

Don't miss out on the following fun filled Holiday Weekend! On Friday evening, Dec. 1st at 7:00 PM, the West Harrison Neighborhood Association presents Santa and the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in West Harrison at Taylor Square. On Saturday, Dec. 2nd at 3:00 PM in Ma Riis Park, Downtown Harrison, there will be a menorah and Christmas tree lighting ceremony, caroling and entertainment by the student choral groups, DJ music, a visit from Santa, snacks and baked goods, candy canes, hot chocolate and churros! You can also purchase your Christmas wreaths by supporting the Harrison Husky Baseball Team.

On a related note, several years ago the Holiday Project was created in an effort to spread holiday cheer, to families in need, right here in Harrison. Currently, those in need encompass over 300 individuals ranging in age from infant to the elderly. Through the generosity of merchants, and with monies collected, each sponsored family receives a Holiday in a Basket that includes a grocery gift card, clothing, a toy for each child and a small gift for the parents. If you are interested in sponsoring one or more families, please
send a check, payable to The Holiday Project for $150 per family, to The Holiday Project at P.O Box 47, Harrison, NY 10528. This is the perfect time of year to help our neighbors feel the joy of this year's holiday season. If you would like to get involved in this year’s efforts, please contact the harrisonholidayproject@gmail.com.