The Varsity Club held a successful event on Sept. 16 that benefitted student and Girls Varsity Soccer Team captain Valaria Catrambone, who is undergoing treatment for cancer. The Victory for Valaria Fundraiser raised more than $6,000 in donations. The soccer team also played an inspiring game that afternoon in which they tied with Farmingdale. The support at the game provided a great deal of comfort for the team. The athletes and their coaches did an excellent job in demonstrating the true meanings of teamwork and sportsmanship.

In mid-September, seventh-graders from Merrick Avenue Middle School hosted a Cup for a Cure to benefit the district’s Relay for Life event, which is held annually in the spring.
The car wash fundraiser was held at Applebee’s in Bellmore and raised approximately $400.

Photo Caption: From left, Hannah Byrnes, Erika Klein, Rachel Mason, Sophia Willner, Amy Heidenreich and Jeniana Willner at the car wash fundraiser.

Photo courtesy of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District

Division Avenue softball players joined the Levittown Athletic Club on Sept. 17 to support the first Batting to Beat Childhood Cancers event held at Azalea Road Field in Levittown. The players helped to raise $5,000 to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

In addition to a friendly competition against Island Trees softball team, the players attended a clinic with the Hofstra University softball team.

Photo Caption: Members of the Division Avenue High School softball team are pictured with (left) Principal John Coscia and (right) coach Michael Verdi.

Photo courtesy of the Levittown School District

NEW YORK, N.Y. – For the second-straight year, the LIU Post men’s lacrosse and basketball teams took the time to help out at the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers 5K Run and Walk on Sunday.

The Pioneer student-athletes spent eight hours assisting with setup and working at the finish line.

The event follows the path that New York City firefighter Stephen Siller took to reach the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. Siller strapped 60 pounds of gear to his back, rushed on foot through gridlocked traffic and ran from the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the Twin Towers, where he gave up his life to save others on the tragic events of that day.

“This was an awesome event to be involved with,” Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach John Jez said. “The event celebrated its 15th anniversary, honoring those who gave their lives trying to help others. It was a wonderful experience for the team to give back and help this charitable organization. It does so much to embrace the lives of our injured military and those that gave so much, as well.”

“It is such a great event for our guys to work,” Head Men’s Basketball Coach Erik Smiles stated. “Tunnel to Towers has raised so much money for veterans and first responders through their hard work and to help in that effort is such a special thing for our guys to participate in.”

Smiles later added: “Being able to take our team to the reflection pool where the towers once stood was important for our guys. They got to understand the magnitude of what took place that day and how many gave so much and how some gave all. I don’t think there is a better event to give our time and energy to.”

The goal of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation is to continue Stephen’s legacy by supporting our nation’s first responders and service members. Building for America’s Bravest, a program of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, constructs specially adapted smart homes for our most catastrophically-injured service members.

For more information on Stephen Siller and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, please visit Tunnel2Towers.org.​​

On Saturday, the LIU Post women’s basketball team helped out at the Long Island Fair at Old Bethpage Village Restoration in Old Bethpage.

The student-athletes conducted potato sack races, as well as skill games for kids. Additionally, the Pioneers assisted with a variety of fair booths.

“The Long Island Fair was a great experience for the student-athletes,” said Head Women’s Basketball Coach Deirdre Moore. “It allowed for many discussions to take place regarding agriculture, both now and in the past. The fair was also an opportunity to examine and explore many family values that were emphasized throughout our nation’s history. I was really pleased with the work ethic displayed by my players. They embraced the day and made it special for countless families and other volunteer workers.”

The Long Island Fair has been a part of Long Island history since 1842. It continues to be an event planned, organized and staffed by local citizens.

For more information about the Long Island Fair, please visit LIFair.org.​