Free Sunscreen In Southampton

Stony Brook Southampton Hospital is sponsoring free sunscreen dispensers throughout Southampton Town.

On Tuesday, June 25, members of the town board and hospital held a ribbon-cutting at Ponquogue Beach for 17 free SPF 30 dispensers that have been installed at town beaches and parks.

“The program allows everyone to safely enjoy our beautiful beaches, parks, and recreational facilities all summer long,” said Councilwoman Christine Preston Scalera, who worked with Stony Brook on the initiative. “I would also like to thank Stony Brook Southampton Hospital for their generosity and continued support.”

Creative Advertising Concepts had proposed the idea to Preston Scalera earlier this year, who then reached out to Stony Brook Hospital about a potential partnership. As part of the program, CAC worked with the town to find local sponsors to support the project. Stony Brook Southampton Hospital signed on right away.

“Stony Brook Southampton Hospital’s mission is to promote health and wellness,” said Steven Bernstein, chief development officer at the hospital. “Providing free SPF 30 broad spectrum sports sunscreen can help protect residents and visitors against too much sun exposure.”

Southampton Supervisor Jay Schneiderman said his first comment was, “Why didn’t we do this sooner?”

“I wish I thought of that,” he said. “It ought to be as commonplace as soap dispensers in the bathroom. It’s right there — right on the pathway to the beach — and it takes two seconds to slather it on. I think every beach should have that, and now our beaches will have that. I hope it becomes a ubiquitous thing.”

The free sunscreen dispensers are available through Labor Day. For more information on the locations, visit the Parks and Recreation Department page on the town’s website at www.southamptontownny.gov/353/Parks-Recreation.

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