Last year, second-graders at East Islip’s Connetquot Elementary School made “birthday boxes” for the Birthday Wishes organization, donating birthday items for homeless children who cannot afford their own birthday parties. These brightly wrapped “birthday in a box” packages are filled with everything necessary for a great birthday celebration.

This year, the entire school got involved. A total of 32 birthday boxes were donated from Connetquot’s kindergarten, first-grade and second-grade classes. The boxes will be distributed to needy families along with a bag of wrapped gifts for the birthday celebrant.

Sydney Berni, a second-grade student in Melissa Love’s class, said of the experience, “I liked making the boxes because it helps others.”

 

Photo caption: IMG_6102, IMG_6107: Thoughtful students at East Islip’s Connetquot Elementary School made 32 “birthday boxes” for homeless children via the Birthday Wishes organization.

 

Photos courtesy of East Islip School District

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Tiffany Elliott (Clarendon Hills, Ill.) of the Southern Connecticut State University gymnastics team recently contributed items to a local Goodwill organization in Greater New Haven.

This event is just one example of many community outreach events that SCSU student-athletes take part in on an annual basis. SCSU student-athletes have volunteered more than 1,500 hours of their time to numerous outreach efforts, both on-campus and in Greater New Haven, during the 2017-18 academic year.

When Rocky Point Middle School Principal Dr. Scott O’Brien asked the hundreds of people gathered in the auditorium to raise a hand if they knew someone affected by cancer, more than half of them did. The serious moment of awareness was a fitting start to the school’s annual St. Baldrick’s Foundation head-shaving event.  

Coordinated by social studies teacher Erica Alemaghides, professional bagpipers and an Irish step dancer encouraged the cheers from the crowd as the 18 brave students and staff members took their seats in the barber’s chairs to have their heads shaved by Rocky Point High School cosmetology students.

“This annual assembly serves as a way for our school community to come together in solidarity with children living with cancer,” Principal Dr. Scott O’Brien said.

Money was pledged by donors to support the shavees’ efforts, all of which will be donated to help support people with cancer. With abundant support from both school and community, the fundraising goal was surpassed and $11,000 was raised.

Eighth-grader Quentin Palifka was named the top individual fundraiser, having collected $6,018. Quentin said he has been raising money for a number of years, to honor a neighbor’s child who died several years ago. “It was a nice way to honor him,” he said of a child he never got to meet.

 

Photo captions: Rocky Point Middle School came together in solidarity with children living with cancer at the school’s annual St. Baldrick’s head-shaving event.

 

Photos courtesy of the Rocky Point Union Free School District

The members of the Hampton Bays Elementary School service organization, K-Kids, raised more than $300 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as part of a “Green Day” fundraiser. Dressed in green, the students sold green necklaces throughout the day on March 16.  

 

Photo courtesy of the Hampton Bays School District

 

Three Village Central School District’s Nassakeag Elementary School’s student council used their creativity and compassion to create 20 blankets for the Stony Brook Hospital for the Children’s Center this winter.

During several council meetings, members worked on making the blankets from fleece. They cut and knotted the ends to create fringe and a few members sewed the edge. Many worked in small groups and created more than one blanket per group.  

The completed blankets were delivered to the Child Life administrators in Stony Brook Hospital’s main lobby this March. Students attending the drop off learned how the blankets would go to children who were ill and in need of a little extra comfort.  

“It made the members feel proud that their one small act of kindness could bring a smile and comfort to someone, possibly their age, who was undergoing medical treatment,” said teacher Judy Larsen. “Our student council is looking into what we can possibly make for the unit next year.”

 

Photo caption: Nassakeag Elementary School’s student council used their creativity and compassion to create 20 blankets for the Stony Brook Hospital for the Children’s Center.

 

Photo courtesy of the Three Village Central School District