East Rockaway Junior-Senior High School’s National Honor Society, Dignity Club and teacher and student volunteers sponsored Light It Up Blue on April 1 to raise awareness of children with autism.

The student groups sold puzzle pieces, temporary tattoos, Autism Awareness bracelets, nail art and baked goods to raise funds for Autism Speaks. In all, they raised $532 for the organization.

Photo Captions:

1. Pictured (l-r): Students Caitlin O’Mara, Tiffany Ricciardi, Alison Bashford, Caitlin Cassini and Valencia Poorajah.

Photos courtesy of the East Rockaway School District

For the second-straight year, the LIU Post football team lent a hand to Long Island Lutheran High School on Friday with its hunger relief initiative.

The student-athletes spent the morning unloading trucks of food and setting up stations for individuals to package the food for delivery.

The food was later dispensed to food banks across Long Island, with a portion being sent to Haiti, which was devastated by an earthquake in 2010.

“We continue to look forward to having our student-athletes return to Long Island Lutheran to assist in the fight against hunger,” said Head Football Coach Bryan Collins. “It was rewarding for them to play a part in making such a big difference in other people’s lives.”

For more information on the Pioneers’ football program, please continue to visit LIUPostPioneers.com.

Glen Cove residents in need have access to a new food pantry thanks to students at Finley Middle School.
The pantry, which is open on Fridays from 3-5 p.m., was created by members of the school’s Kiwanis Builders Club, National Junior Honor Society and Student Council, as part of the school’s collaboration with international charity and educational partner WE Free the Children. Through this effort, students are committed to making a positive impact on the local and global communities.

The idea for the pantry appealed to students because it gave them an opportunity to help their neighbors, but first they had to find a place to house the pantry. They ultimately decided to use a storage room at the school. The middle school children worked hard emptying the contents of the room, disposing of garbage and donating items that were useful. Then, thanks to the assistance of the school’s custodial staff, the room was cleaned, painted and shelves were repaired. The Art Club, under the direction of adviser Amanda Rodriguez, also participated by painting the entrance and door to the pantry.

The children collected food from family members, neighbors and members of the community. Athletic teams from the high school and a local Scout troop also hosted food drives to benefit the school’s pantry.
Kirsten Kenney, the Kiwanis Builders Club adviser, said she couldn’t be more proud of the students who made the pantry possible.

“These students are inspired and they are very excited to pitch in,” Kenney said. “They even come down to the pantry during their lunch periods to help.”

During its hours of operation, three students and a faculty member will be on hand to help at the pantry. All students have signed confidentiality agreements to take part in the community service activity.

As part of the students’ commitment to making a positive impact globally, they hosted bake sales, hot cocoa sales and popcorn sales and raised enough money to feed 10 children lunch for a year in Sierra Leone, Africa.

Principal Nelson Iocolano thanked Kenney, Student Council adviser Desiree Viruet and National Junior Honor Society adviser Kristen Schnall for leading the students in their efforts. Iocolano also expressed his gratitude to the students.

“I really want to thank the students,” he said. “None of this would have happened without you. You continue to inspire us each and every day.”

Photo Caption:

Sixth-grader Mia Rios helped stock the shelves at the pantry.

Photos courtesy of the Glen Cove City School District

Students and staff members at Hicksville Middle School in the Hicksville Public School District participated in the American Heart Association’s Hoops for Heart program to raise funds for cardiovascular health awareness. The school collected more than $2,200 as a result of its remarkable fundraising efforts. Hoops for Heart served as a fun and charitable way for students to learn the importance of maintaining healthy and active lifestyles.

Photos courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools

Members of the Hampton Bays Elementary School first-grade Community Service Committee raised $700 for the Southampton Animal Shelter as part of an animal awareness fundraiser.

For the effort, the students drew posters of Southampton Animal Shelter animals in need of homes, sold multicolored bracelets and paw print stampers and designed T-shirts featuring the worlds, “First-Grade Loves Pets.” They worked on the effort under the direction of teachers Jonathan DellaSperanza, Diane Hutchison and Kristie Loper.

The students presented the donated funds to the Southampton Animal Shelter on March 23. In return, shelter representatives spoke to the students about the center and introduced them to several puppies currently available for adoption.

Photo Caption: The Hampton Bays Elementary School first-grade Community Service Committee presented a $700 check to the Southampton Animal Shelter on March 23. Pictured with the students is teacher Jonathan DellaSperanza.

Photo courtesy of the Hampton Bays School District