For the 10th consecutive year, Washington Drive Primary and Thomas J. Lahey elementary schools in the Harborfields Central School District hosted its annual Walk for a Wish fundraising event to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation on April 16. The well-attended event raised more than $22,000, granting the wishes of 14-year-old Joseph, a child from Huntington Station who struggles with congenital heart defects, and two other Make-A-Wish children.

“Granting wishes to children at Make-A-Wish is an important event for the Harborfields community because we are encouraging children to be empathetic and supportive of other children,” said Walk for a Wish coordinator and Thomas J. Lahey teacher Diane Brown. “Our students are actively involved in this community service project, making it a meaningful experience.”

Leading up to the Walk for a Wish event, students, respectively, held bake sales and garage sales to raise money for this annual charity fundraiser and donations were contributed through various fundraising efforts. With costs totaling more than $7,000, this marked the most funds raised prior to the walk event.

Sponsored jointly by the Walk for a Wish Committee of Thomas J. Lahey Elementary School, the Acts of Kindness Committee at Washington Drive Primary School and the schools’ respective PTAs, more than 900 students, faculty, community members and Harborfields sports teams rallied together to walk the track at Harborfields High School. The event also featured a face-painting booth ran by high school students and a dunk tank. Additionally, nonperishable food items were collected to support the Harborfields food pantry.

Throughout the past 10 years, the event has raised more than $150,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Harborfields community is responsible for granting the wishes of approximately 20 children.
“When the Harborfields students come together to work on a goal, it builds a sense of community,” said Brown. “Walk for a Wish is a celebration of the students’ accomplishment towards this goal.”

Photo Captions:
Photo1: Harborfields Walk for a Wish coordinators are pictured with students from Washington Drive Primary School, Thomas J. Lahey Elementary School and Oldfield Middle School.
Photo2: Harborfields students held the Walk for a Wish banner and lead the group of supporters around the high school track.

Photo courtesy of the Harborfields Central School District

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Eighty-five students from West Islip’s Beach Street Middle School participated in the American Heart Association Pickle Ball tournament on March 23. The event, organized by Beach Street physical education teacher Denise Cain, raised $2,846 for the AHA to help fight heart disease.

Pickle: Eighty-five students from West Islip’s Beach Street Middle School participated in the American Heart Association Pickle Ball tournament, raising $2,846 for the AHA.

Photo courtesy of the West Islip School District

In continuing its mission of unity and service, the “One Voice, One Message” committee within the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District held its second annual 5K Run/Walk on April 16

With a superheroes theme in place, participants were encouraged to dress accordingly.

Race organizers Dr. Joseph Netto, school psychologist at Meadowbrook Alternative Program, Assistant Superintendent of Personnel Dr. Mara Bollettieri, and District Social Studies Chairperson Robyn Einbinder carefully planned and executed the event, along with student ambassadors.

Proceeds will benefit Plan International, which aides in bringing clean drinking water to people in developing countries.

“The money we raised today will truly go far in building wells for children in Africa,” said Sara Samir, a Calhoun junior and student ambassador. “Because the lack of water and sanitation is such a grave issue throughout the world, it really is extraordinary that Bellmore-Merrick is taking an initiative in helping to resolve this world issue.”

Dr. Netto also praised Dr. Bollettieri’s efforts before the race kicked off.

“Her passion and dedication to the district have helped this wonderful event become a reality,” Dr. Netto said.

Photo Caption: Julianna Noto and Paige Viola of Grand Avenue and
Kyla Saade, Elisa D’Sa, Anjali Jacob and Cathy Casola of Mepham’s track team.

Photos courtesy of Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District

DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Apr. 19, 2016) – The Mercy College men’s soccer team volunteered with members of the Autism Project on Saturday, April 16th at the Yonkers Police Athletic League Center.

The Autism Project is a unique collaboration of parents, professionals and community members who provide quality support, training, and programming that is accessible to all for children and adults with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, their families and those who work with them.

The men’s soccer team participated in many activities with the members of the Autism Project. Some activities were playing basketball with soccer balls, dancing with the kids, having drum circle practice, and participating in arts and crafts.

“It was a pleasure and honor to be a part of this event. It was great to see the young children that arrived smiling and laughing with our guys. I believe our boys truly enjoyed the day and embraced the opportunity to help others” said Head Coach Pedro Velazquez.

To get involved or make a donation to The Autism Project, please click the link below for more information.

http://www.theautismproject.org/get-involved

On April 10-12, 2016 Long Island Lutheran hosted its sixth annual Meal Packing Event, packing 329,028 meals for Long Island food pantries and the Andrew Grene School in Haiti.

In addition to participating in 2+ hour packing sessions, the Varsity Football team took part in a Polar Bear Run to raise money for the event and our Simply Soup Luncheon where for a $5 donation participants received a cup of soup, crackers and a glass of water, allowing them to understand what it is like to eat simply for a day.

In total, they have packed 1,885,530 meals over the past six years!