The rain barrel giveaway hosted this past Sunday, May 20th 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 huge success. 75 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, 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. We’re excited to do many more events and look forward to our next giveaway on June 9th!”

“It was once again a pleasure to partner with Stacey and her office, along with the DEP, for yet another successful rain barrel giveaway in Broad Channel on Sunday, May 20,” Addabbo, a member of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, said. “I look forward to co-sponsoring with Stacey and the DEP future rain barrel giveaway events, like the upcoming one on June 9, in order to allow constituents in and around Howard Beach a chance to get their very own rain barrels.”