In the interest of giving back to their community, Rocky Point High School’s junior varsity and varsity baseball teams continued their tradition of volunteering at Maureen’s Haven Homeless Shelter in Cutchogue this spring.

During this visit, the team along with team managers and coaches helped more than 30 individuals have a hot dinner, a clean bed and an inviting environment to get a safe night’s rest. The teammates set up the location, made beds, set the tables, prepared the kitchen and packed 30 lunch bags for the homeless to leave with the next morning.

Additionally, the students collected many new items for the shelter visitors, including new socks, rain ponchos, toiletries, homemade cookies, brownies, festive bags of holiday chocolates and bunnies. They also collected beef jerky, cheese crackers, peanut butter crackers, protein bars and water bottles that the homeless individuals could eat on days when they have no food. Plus, the team collected over 80 $5 gift cards for fast food
The team has volunteered in a similar fashion at the shelter twice a year for the past four years.

Photo Caption: Rocky Point High School’s junior varsity and varsity baseball teams continued their tradition of volunteering at Maureen’s Haven Homeless Shelter in Cutchogue this spring.

Photo courtesy of the Rocky Point School District

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Students at Copiague Middle School showed off their basketball skills when they participated in a Hoops for Heart fundraiser to benefit the American Heart Association on April 6 and 7 during their physical education classes.
Not only did students help raise money for a good cause, they learned about leading a heart-healthy lifestyle and making positive choices. Hoops for Heart is a national fundraising program sponsored jointly by the Society of Health and Physical Educators of America and the AHA. Through the program, students raise funds for the AHA while participating in activities that promote physical fitness.

Students showed off their sharpshooting skills as they completed a basketball-themed obstacle course. The goal of the event was to increase awareness about heart disease and related illnesses, as well as raise money for research, prevention, and education programs.

This year, the Copiague Middle School students have a goal to meet or surpass the $5,000 they raised during last year’s event.

Photo Caption: Copiague Middle School students participated in Hoops for Heart to benefit the American Heart Association on April 6 and 7.

Photos courtesy of Copiague School District

Miller Avenue School students participated in a number of Autism Awareness activities throughout the week of April 3 as part of Autism Awareness month.
The week kicked-off with the Shoreham-Wading River students meeting with Shoreham-Wading River High School freshman Frankie Fontinell and his mother, who wrote a book about their experiences of living with Autism.
Students also took part in a number of hands-on activities during their gym classes that simulated what its like to have Autism, including trying to read a book with loud noises in their headphones.

Photo Caption: Miller Avenue students learned about autism through Autism simulation stations during Autism Awareness month.

Photo courtesy of the Shoreham-Wading River School District

Photo Caption: More than 90 pints of blood were collected as part of a New York Blood Center blood drive held at the Wading River Elementary School on April 5. The Shoreham-Wading River PTA sponsored the drive, held in honor of high school student Alexa Boucher. Numerous high school students stepped up to volunteer their time and donate blood to make the drive successful.

Photo courtesy of the Shoreham-Wading River School District

Students and staff at Massapequa High School’s Ames Campus donned blue on April 3 in support of the 6,000 people a year who lose their lives to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS, as well as the people who are living with the neurodegenerative disease.

In an effort to raise awareness, speakers from ALS Ride for Life spoke to a group of ninth-graders about the disease and about the annual fundraising event that has raised $7 million during two decades. During the past two years, the course has gone through Massapequa, with students and staff standing outside of several of the district’s schools with large banners to show support.

Ames students Anthony Gazzola, Kevin McLeer and Anthony Papasodero spoke about the history of Ride for Life and its founder, Chris Pendergast, who has lived with ALS for 23 years. A video featured Mr. Pendergast’s daily challenges and footage from past rides. It also explained how ALS came to be known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease for the former New York Yankees baseball player whose career and life were cut short.

Speakers included Barbara Brown, a board member of Ride for Life, and Paul Weissman, who is living with the disease. Mr. Weissman told students that they will face challenges in their lives, and their goals should be to never give up, never lose hope and remain optimistic despite the odds against them. He also spoke of the small but meaningful acts that inspire people with ALS to keep on living and fighting, from simple words of encouragement to the Ice Bucket Challenge craze of 2014.

Tania Willman, the executive assistant to the principal, said that Ames would make a donation to ALS Ride for Life when it passes through Massapequa during its 20th annual journey in May.

Photo Caption: Massapequa High School Ames Campus students wore blue on April 3 to raise awareness for ALS.

Photo courtesy of Massapequa School District