Smithtown, Suffolk Police, Launch 'Pizza Box Top Project'

Smithtown NY

03 September, 2020

1:55 PM

Description

TOWN OF SMITHTOWN, NY — The Town of Smithtown Horizons Counseling and Education Center and Smithtown Youth Bureau, in conjunction with the Fourth Precinct of the Suffolk County Police Department, launched the 4th Annual "Pizza Box Top Project" on Aug. 20. This youth-led initiative works to educate and change adult attitudes regarding providing or selling alcohol to minors, according to a news release. Participating pizzerias include Mema's in Commack, Branchinelli's in Hauppauge, and Buona Sera in Smithtown. Approximately 1,200 stickers were stuck to carry out bags from the pizza parlors. The pizzerias were recognized for their help in combating the buying of alcohol to minors. "This is one of our favorite events to hold throughout the year," Kelly DeVito, Youth Services coordinator, said. "We hope the underage drinking prevention stickers help to open a dialogue in families that may not have happened without it. The young people and the pizzerias involved are wonderful to work with." Fourth Precinct Suffolk COPE officers LaVeglia and Dono, along with a school resource officer, presented vital information about the Suffolk County Social Host Law, underage drinking, and the dangers of the internet to the volunteers. Students then adhered 1,200 prevention messaging stickers that read "Your Decisions Matter - Preventing underage drinking is everyone's responsibility" on carry out bags for all three local pizzerias. The goal of the annual campaign is to bring attention to the issue of underage drinking and remind adults of the consequences of providing alcohol to minors. The student volunteers who participated in this year's initiative were Cailey Bobadilla, Josh Bobadilla, Vaishnavi Ravichandar, Kyle Wozniak and Emma Wozniak.