Three Village Community Connects Through New Facebook Group

A new Facebook group has joined others such as Three Village Moms and Three Village Buy and Sell in connecting the local community.

Three Village Connection is the brainchild of Inger Germano, a local business owner and school board trustee, with help from fellow trustees Deanna Bavlnka and Susanne Mendelson. It's open not just to parents, but also to students, businesses and other stakeholders in the community.

"We invite members of the community to share information regarding local events, charities, education, career opportunities and recommendations on local businesses and contractors," Germano said in an email to Patch. She said it has already received a great deal of support and positive feedback.

Whereas other local Facebook groups may have had issues such as inaccurate and negative posts that could cause divisiveness, Germano said, Three Village Connection is strictly not a page for opinions.

"The intent and goal of this page is to bring the community together through networking, causes, recommendations to local businesses, family and district events," Germano said.

It was launched July 11 and so far, as of noon on Thursday, has about 400 members. 

Community-oriented Facebook groups can even help unite neighbors during disasters, such as superstorm Sandy and the February blizzard. For instance, the Comsewogue Community Facebook page for the nearby Port Jefferson Station and Terryville areas was filled with tons of critical information and resources for local residents at those times.

"This is a welcoming group and a needed group," Bavlnka said. "People will go to this page for accurate information and answers, not hearsay and maybe's. ... I think this group will be a success; it already has in a very short time."