During the holiday season, Hicksville High School varsity lacrosse coach Tom Kinsella and his team collected toys and gift cards to distribute to children with cancer and their family members at Winthrop Hospital.
The collection and visit is an annual event that was started eight years ago by Terry Magro, the mother of a Hicksville High School student and member of the lacrosse team who lost his battle with cancer. Hicksville’s lacrosse team is the only group that is permitted to visit room to room as part of the endeavor.

Photo Captions: Hicksville High School varsity lacrosse team and coach Tom Kinsella delivered toys to children with cancer at Winthrop Hospital.

Photos courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools

Long Beach High School junior Danielle Breen organized a coat drive in December through her involvement in the Key Club, with support from students and teachers. The initiative was named, “Unzip Your Hearts,” and provided coat donations to the Long Beach Martin Luther King Center, Inc. to help keep others warm this winter.

“I felt excited that I was giving back to my community, but it turned out to be much more than that,” Danielle said. “Seeing people I have never met and my close friends donating coats to the coat drive I organized was an emotional and joyful experience. I never imagined how inspirational this whole project was.” She noted that the inspiration continued when she met the MLK Center’s Board of Directors Chair, James Hodge, and witnessed his devotion to the center and people of Long Beach while delivering the coats.

Many generous individuals contributed coats to this effort, and one even included a note.
“That coat made me realize that there are so many people out there that care and how important giving back to the community really is,” said Danielle.

Photo Captions:

1: Long Beach High School student Danielle Breen with MLK Center Board of Directors Chair James Hodge.
2: Long Beach High School’s coat drive provided donations to the MLK Center in Long Beach prior to the holidays.

Photos Courtesy of Long Beach Public Schools

Students at Syosset High School continue to learn (and teach) valuable lessons in their efforts to make a difference in the lives of others. The school’s Interact Club held its annual True Blue Day, designed for students to reflect on their lives, consider all they have to be grateful for, and make a difference in the lives of others.

The theme for True Blue Day 2016 was “One Day, One Life,” as Interact sought to raise enough money in one day to help a child born with a congenital heart disorder. During the day, club members sold their entire inventory of Syosset Spirit hats to faculty, students and families. By the end of the day, it was mission accomplished as the club raised enough money to fund one life-saving cardiac surgery for a child in need. The funds were donated to the Gift of Life charity organization, which will identify an appropriate recipient of the compassionate gesture.

For more than 10 years, Syosset Interact has been coordinating efforts that have raised more than $200,000 for Gift of Life and its efforts to treat pediatric heart patients. Recent campaigns include “Mission Heartbeat” and “7 in 7.” Last year, the club sold dog tags on True Blue Day in support of the cause, and members are planning the next Gift of Life fundraiser on Valentine’s Day.

Pictured are Interact co-advisers Stacey Balducci (far left) and Carisa Steinberg (right) with members Peri Lund, Brooke Matalon, Dara Elpren, Adam Canarick, Sahil Chaudhry, Maddy Sussman, Chelsea Grossman and Katy Segall, showing their Syosset pride on True Blue Day 2016.

Photo caption: Syosset High School Interact co-advisers Stacey Balducci (far left) and Carisa Steinberg (far right) with club members (standing, from left) Peri Lund, Brooke Matalon, Dara Elpren, Adam Canarick, Sahil Chaudhry, Maddy Sussman, (kneeling) Chelsea Grossman and Katy Segall wearing the Syosset hats they sold for charity on True Blue Day.

Photo courtesy of the Syosset School District

Floral Park Memorial High School’s Florettes kickline team visited residents at The Arbors Assisted Living at Westbury facility on Dec. 13. The students performed a routine, mingled with the residents and handed out cookies. The team is looking forward to visiting the facility in the near future.

Photo Caption: Members of Floral Park’s kickline team are pictured with residents of The Arbors Assisted Living facility.

Photo courtesy of Sewanhaka Central High School District

Herricks High School’s boys and girls basketball teams hosted a Coaches vs. Cancer Tournament to benefit the American Cancer Society. With support from the Athletic Boosters, the athletes raised $2,300 through sales of T-shirts, baked goods and raffle tickets.

The tournament was held on Dec. 7 and Dec. 9, and featured competitions for both girls and boys varsity teams. Neighboring teams came out to Herricks High School to participate in friendly games. The boys component involved Herricks, East Meadow, New Hyde Park and Westbury, while girls teams who participated were from Herricks, Hewlett, Mineola and New Hyde Park.

“Coaches vs. Cancer” is the name of a collaboration between the American Cancer Association and the National Association of Basketball Coaches.