Village Resident to be Honored for Volunteer Work

This year’s Nathaniel Conklin Award will be given to village resident John Fitts at a ceremony at the Conklin House on Sunday, August 28.

According to Aaron Stein, owner of Norton and Siegel Insurance and the chairman of the award selection committee, John Fitts exemplifies everything the award is designed to honor. 

“This award is given for volunteerism in the village, and we had a number of very worthy candidates to consider,” said Stein. “We chose John this year because he’s been a tireless volunteer across a huge span of activities for years and years.”

“John really represents the spirit of volunteerism,” Stein continued. “He helps and helps and helps and helps.”

Stein said Fitts’ record includes many years of volunteering with the Boy Scouts, the Babylon Village Little League, the Babylon Beautification Society, the Babylon Soccer Club, the American Legion, the United Methodist Church and their food pantries, and more.

“John is a person who has given unselfishly of his time for decades here in our village," said Stein. Fitz can be found at almost every little league game helping groom the fields or working the concession stand. He is an usher at the United Methodist Church and helps set up and serve in their food pantry. He has worked for many years at the Babylon Beautification Society Fair, and also with the Soccer Club, again helping with field maintenance or any other chores that need to be done, noted Stein.

Fitts has marched in parades and helped with equipment with the Boy Scouts and the American Legion.

“He is happy just to be helping out all his friends in the village and has been someone dependable to all these groups for many years,” said Stein.

When reached at his home for comment, Fitts said he is very happy about the award. "It hasn’t hit me yet.”

When asked what is his favorite thing about growing up and living in Babylon Village, Fitts had a simple reply: “Everything.”

The Nathaniel Conklin House is a historical village building with a long and interesting history. It was formerly located on the northeast corner of the intersection of Main Street and Deer Park Avenue, before being moved to its present location on the west side of Deer Park Avenue just south of the railroad.

The award ceremony begins at 4 p.m. on Sunday, August 28, with refreshments served before the presentation at 4:30 p.m. Following the ceremony, there will be a fundraising event across the street at Lily Flanagan’s to raise money for the ongoing restoration efforts and maintenance of the Conklin House. Admission is $50. Residents are invited to attend both events.