From left to right in the front are Emmy Specht, Clara Walker, Maddie Joinnides, Rae Specht
 and Councilwoman Kepert. From left to right in the back are; Councilwoman Jane Bonner,
 Councilman Tim Mazzei, Councilwoman Kathleen Walsh, Councilman Dan Panico, Supervisor
 Mark Lesko.

Farmingville, NY – At the October 18 Town board meeting, Councilwoman Connie Kepert presented certificates of appreciation to the charity organization, Four Girls For Families, which is run by four spirited young girls, Rae Specht Emmy Specht, Clara Walker and Maddie Joinnides. The organization was formed after the Specht sisters traveled to Cambodia and witnessed extreme poverty and unsanitary conditions. The sisters returned to the United States, shared their experience with their friends Maddie and Clara, and the four girls were compelled to help.

Through their research, the girls uncovered that 75% of deaths in Cambodia are caused by infiltrated drinking water and 90% of those people who die are under five years old. They learned that simple water filtration systems could prevent this loss of life.

With this in mind, the girls’ mission, to provide filtration systems to save lives, was born. They are now raising funds to buy filtration systems at a cost of $10.00 each. The purchases of the systems, which are made in Cambodia, are also providing economic development for Cambodia’s rural villages. The filters remove 99.99% of the bacteria which causes illness and death and last approximately five years.

To raise the money they make greeting cards, t-shirts, journals and hand bags which they sell and 100% of the money they raise goes to purchase water filters in Cambodia. They will travel back to Cambodia in January to deliver the filters. “I was so impressed with these young girls, their simple solution to such a devastating problem is inspiring to us all,” stated Councilwoman Kepert.

Division of Public Information * Office of the Supervisor
One Independence Hill • Farmingville • NY 11738 • Phone (631) 451-6595 • Fax (631) 451-6258