The rain barrel giveaway hosted this past Sunday, May 21st at the Broad Channel American Legion by Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Broad Channel) and State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Ozone Park) was a runaway success. 100 barrels were ultimately given out, allowing residents of Broad Channel and the surrounding area to conserve water for use watering cars and lawns, helping them save expensive fresh water for drinking, cooking and bathing.

The DEP was on-hand to provide quick instruction on how to use the barrels, which are lightweight and come with a screw-top lid, instructions and a kit to set up a siphon for use of stored water. Pheffer Amato and Addabbo were both on-site, along with several office staff from each of their offices, meeting neighbors and helping them carry barrels to their cars.

“This is such a great program,” said Pheffer Amato. “I want to thank the DEP, and Senator Addabbo and his staff, for their expertise and energy. A City office came together with neighbors and local elected officials, we all got a little sun, and we helped over a hundred people save money on their water bills. Not a bad Sunday.

"Not only does this program go a long way to help preserve water, but it will save homeowners money in the long run by not having to pay for water to carry out everyday chores," said Senator Addabbo, a member of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee. "I'd like to extend my thanks to Karen Ellis and the DEP for providing us with 100 rain barrels for district residents, and the American Legion for being such gracious hosts."

“We’re excited to do many more events like these,” Pheffer Amato continued, “where we get to help our neighbors help themselves and connect them with some of the unexpected, super-helpful services that our City has to offer. Thanks to the folks who came out and to everyone who helped organize!”