Canon and North Hempstead Spruce Up Beach in Port Washington

Folks from Canon U.S.A. in Lake Success showed  some love on Saturday. That's when volunteers from the company teamed up with the Town of North Hempstead for Canon's annual Clean Earth Crew event to help spruce up the beach.

The crew broke into three teams, laying mulch on a nature trail, painting the mini golf course, and cleaning the beach. This year’s event had more than 150 volunteers, consisting of Canon employees, family and friends.

“It really started out as a grassroots movement,” said Mindy Miller, manager of corporate events and corporate social responsibility at Canon.

Miller spoke of the origins of the Canon's conservation efforts, which, on Long Island, began in 1996.

“It could not have been more than 20 to 30 people," she said. "It was started to trying to display the company’s philosophy, working together for the common good. [This program] exposes employees as well as the CEO to the aspects of our local community they may not have known about.”

Saturday was the first time North Hempstead partnered with Canon to improve the area.

“We are happy to have Canon come to beautify the park,” Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman noted. “North Hempstead Beach Park is a major destination for the community. It’s one of our local treasures.”