Politics & Government

LI Businesses, Local Leader Chip in for Veterans in Need

Golf course parking lot gets paved at Northport VA Medical Center.

A portion of the Northport VA Medical Center parking lot was paved Thursday with the help of a local leader and several small business who stepped up to help a veteran in need.

Concerned that the gravel lot near the golf course could cause injury, local veteran Mario Buonpane of Post 694 said he met with Huntington Town Board member Eugene Cook in June for assistance in getting the job done after five years of previous attempts to secure help for the project had failed.

Through the coordination efforts of Cook, several Long Island companies agreed to chip in — including Posillico Inc. which donated the asphalt; Lindley Bros Asphalt Paving Inc. which offered to do the paving; and M G M Sealcoating Inc. who agreed to stripe the lot.

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“This would not have been possible if our local small business owner’s didn’t open their hearts to our veterans community," said Cook. "Today proves that if we all work together and communicate we can accomplish what may seem like the impossible."

Buonpane said he was thankful for the help of all involved, including Boy Scout Troop 360, although the last few weeks seemed like ana eternity, he joked.

Find out what's happening in Huntingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“When I first met with Gene I had brown hair," said Buonpane. "Now that I have white hair, our lot will be paved."


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