Cross Sound Ferry Recognized for Thinking Pink

Every Wednesday is breast cancer awareness day on Cross Sound Ferry's high-speed Sea Jet I, which travels daily from Orient Point to New London, Conn.

Passengers riding the Sea Jet on Wednesdays get a pink ribbon breast cancer awareness pin, and a portion of their ticket fees are donated to the Maurer Foundation, a Mineola-based breast health education center.

Cross Sound Ferry started the initiative at the beginning of October and plans to continue the program through November. A pink and white cookie — a breast cancer awareness version of the popular black and white variety — is also available for charitable purchase from the ferry's deli service.

Wednesday morning, state Assemblyman Marc Alessi joined representatives from Cross Sound Ferry and Eastern Long Island Hospital to recognize the ferry company's efforts to raise money to help cure a disease that is expected to kill about 40,230 people in 2010, according to the American Cancer Society.

Stan Mickus, director of marketing and public affairs for Cross Sound Ferry, said that he hopes the program will generate about $2,500 by the end of next month.

"And we hope we can make this into an ongoing thing," he said.