Recently, you may have noticed the new pink recycling cans in our hallways. These receptacles are part of a non-profit project that benefits young women fighting breast cancer on Long Island, as well as helps to save the environment. The organization Pink Cans 4 Cancer collects recyclables on Long Island and brings them to collection sites in exchange for money. The funds raised are then donated to the Young Survival Coalition, an international organization focusing on young women ages 40 and under diagnosed with breast cancer.

This idea was first brought to this school by junior Jessica Nemeth. She first got the thought and motivation to start a project in her community by going to the summer RYLA (Rotary youth leadership awards) conference.

She was looking for a way to bring great services to Smithtown East when she and Dr. Simmons collaborated to come up with the idea of recycling for the reason of not only helping the environment but also to donate to women battling breast cancer. Smithtown Rotary member Mr. Scott Posner helped her get started.

Nemeth enthusiastically stated, “I’m excited for more people to find out what the pink cans are and how they can help.”

The money from the bins is being saved until the end of this school year when it will all be donated to the Young Survival Coalition. Nemeth indicated that the cans will be out the remainder of this year and hopefully many going forward.