LINDENHURST, NY: On the afternoon of Saturday, February 26th, 2022, Presiding Officer of the Suffolk County Legislature Kevin J. McCaffrey joined a gathering of support on the steps of Babylon Town Hall for the people of Ukraine.
According to Newsday, “Long Island is home to what the U.S. Census Bureau estimates is 12,978 people with Ukrainian ancestry — 7,775 in Suffolk and 5,203 in Nassau. There are 64,385 in New York City, and 1,009,874 across the United States.”1
Speaking before the crowd, Presiding Officer McCaffrey expressed praise for the Ukrainian military and civilians who have taken up arms against the Russian invaders. He also issued a call to the President and other Federal leaders to take do their part and stand up for Ukraine.
McCaffrey also shared a message to the people of Ukraine, exclaiming: “We in here in the Town of Babylon have your backs. Suffolk County has your back. We are going to do everything we can to show our support for you!”
The crowd of well over one hundred men, women, and children closed the gathered around a large Ukrainian flag, and many wore clothing that matched the symbolic blue and yellow striping of the banner while carrying patriotic signage. The gathering came to ceremonious close with a beautiful group-led rendition of the Ukrainian National Anthem, “Ukraine’s Glory Hasn’t Perished.”
As the conflict in Ukraine grows, many Long-Island based charities will begin outreach programs aimed at helping their fellow man overseas- including the Lindenhurst Knights of Columbus - of which Presiding Officer McCaffrey is a member – who have paired with Lindenhurst’s Holy Family Ukraine Catholic Church to collect desperately needed supplies. McCaffrey expresses his gratitude for all those who will step up to serve others during this time and encourages all Suffolk County residents to participate in whatever way they can. Legislator McCaffrey's Lindenhurst Office will also serve as the collection point for this supply drive.
Legislator Kevin McCaffrey represents Suffolk County's 14th Legislative District, which encompasses the Villages of Lindenhurst and Babylon, the hamlets of West Babylon and North Lindenhurst, portions of Copiague, North Babylon, and Babylon's barrier beach communities.
1 Phillips, M. C. and T. (2022, February 25). 'It’s absolutely a nightmare': Ukrainian LIers react to Russian invasion. Newsday. Retrieved February 26, 2022, from https://www.newsday.com/long-island/ukraine-attack-russia-long-island-1.50519600