Islip High School’s girls cross-country team participated in a joint Coaches vs. Cancer meet with Sayville on Oct. 18. The event raised more than $630 for the American Cancer Society, according to Islip’s team adviser, David Claps.

164113: Islip High School’s girls cross-country team’s Coaches vs. Cancer event raised more than $630 for the American Cancer Society.
174600: Girls cross-country teams from Islip High School (white) and Sayville High School (pink) participated in Coaches vs. Cancer meet on Oct. 18.

Photos courtesy of the Islip School District

For the fifth consecutive year, Glen Cove High School’s girls volleyball team and Locust Valley High School’s volleyball programs teamed up for a Dig Pink non-league game in recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Prior to the game, the teams held a bake sale and donated the proceeds to the Side-Out Foundation, a cancer research organization. The students are always excited to help out this wonderful cause.

Each year the girls design their own Dig Pink volleyball jerseys. Coaches Matthew Carbone and George Kearns supply a bagel breakfast for both teams to give the girls an opportunity to bond while eating and planning the work of art jerseys they will wear to the game. Numbers, ribbons, names and other colorful creations usually go on their jersey.

Photo Caption: Glen Cove High School’s girls volleyball team and Locust Valley High School’s volleyball programs teamed up for a Dig Pink non-league game.

Photo courtesy of the Glen Cove City School District

East Rockaway Junior-Senior High School’s National Junior Honor society is spreading awareness this year about the Teal Pumpkin Project, which aims to include all children in the Halloween experience.
Initiated by the Food Allergy Research and Education organization, the project influences families to place teal pumpkins on their doorsteps during the Halloween season. Teal pumpkins notify trick-or-treaters that houses have non-food allergy treats for children, thus promoting all to be a part of the Halloween experience. Non-food allergy treats can include pencils, stickers and any other small toys. 

National Junior Honor Society members recently hung up teal pumpkin decorations and informative flyers throughout the school to raise awareness about the Teal Pumpkin Project. Staff and students were notified about the purpose of the project and were asked to spread the message of the project’s goal. The hope of the group is to have staff and students’ families join in on the cause and participate in the project this Halloween season.
“Allergies are becoming an increasingly severe and common problem so it is great to involve as many children in the Halloween experience as possible,” Adviser Alexandra Mendyk said.

Photo Caption: Pictured (from left): National Junior Honor Society vice president Laura Millar and co-secretaries Emma Neary and Anthony Romano.

Photo courtesy of the East Rockaway School District

Athletes from Massena Central School raked and bagged leaves for the elderly and disabled community members in conjunction with “Make a Difference Day” on Saturday, Oct. 29.

MASSENA — Elderly and disabled community members are getting some help with their fall chores today.
As part of Make a Difference Day, fall student-athletes from Massena Central School will be raking and bagging leaves, as well as performing some other small chores the residents might need done. Some of the student-athletes have already assisted residents, and others will be out in the community today.

“Every one of the sports teams is participating,” said Athletic Director Gavin Regan.

The fall teams include volleyball, soccer, football and swimming, although the swim team members are taking part in another project — helping to decorate for a school dance.
Mr. Regan said residents were invited to call Trisha LaBarge at the district to schedule a visit from the athletes to their homes.
“Trisha LaBarge coordinated with the coaches for Make a Difference Day. She has just done an outstanding, bang-up job,” he said.
And she was busy fielding requests, according to the athletic director.

“Tons of them, which is great. I would say we’re upwards of over 30,” Mr. Regan said.
He said they put the information out and stared receiving calls.

They collected the names, phone numbers and addresses, and the coaches made contact to set up days and times. The assignments are divided among the student-athletes, who head to different neighborhoods around the community.
“We’ve had a few teams do them already. Other teams have made arrangements,” Mr. Regan said.

While the primary goal was to rake and bag leaves, he said some of the elderly residents asked for help with other tasks, like moving furniture.

“We’re raking for everybody that called and requested,” Mr. Regan said. “In my opinion, it’s one of the great things Massena Central does. The kids seem to be having fun. It’s great for them.”

Residents appreciated it, too. One person who had her lawn raked over the weekend with flurries coming down wrote, “What wonderful citizens these girls are!!! Awesome workers,with 25 cent snowflakes flying and cold!! I certainly appreciate it; I’ll be 84 in December!!!”
The fall athletes started participating in Make a Difference Day cleanup activities for the elderly and disabled several years ago when Martha Slack was the school’s athletic director, and the tradition has continued over the years as a way to give back to the community that athletic directors say have supported them over the years.

Source: http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news05/massena-central-school-fall-athletes-rake-bag-leaves-for-make-a-difference-day-20161029