As part of a yearlong initiative, the Library honored Westhampton Beach High School juniors Julie-Anna Stollow and Samantha Biondi as its October community heroes during a regular board meeting on Oct. 17. The pair was selected for the honor by the Library’s teen department.

“Both Julie-Anna and Samantha truly care about making a positive difference,” said Library Director Danielle Waskiewicz. “We are delighted to honor them.”

After best friends Stollow and Biondi started volunteering at the Library to fulfill their community service requirement for school, they quickly realized how much they enjoy helping and wanted to do more. The girls now volunteer at the Library on a regular basis, participating in various community-service activities offered by the Library. Among their charitable efforts, they have made blankets for shelter animals and designed duct-tape pencil pouches for elementary school students in need.

“It really is fun to help at the Library and do something for my community,” said Stollow.

The two juniors also help out at their school. As recycling coordinators for the CURE Environmental Club, they are in charge of sorting and collecting all recyclables in the building. Additionally, this year they enrolled in the Junior Ambulance program of the Westhampton War Memorial Ambulance Association.

“Julie-Anna and Samantha are always willing to come in and assist us in the Library,” said teen librarian Andrea Roberts. “They help because they truly want to volunteer and be a part of the Library community.”

The Library’s yearlong Community Hero recognition program pays tribute to community members who embody the spirit of giving. The honorees are celebrated at the library board’s monthly meetings.

Photo courtesy of the Westhampton Free Library