Port resident Helena Sanders started a project she calls Blessed Dresses. Sanders is collecting gently used First Communion dresses for children who may not be able to afford a dress. She will be holding an event in April where girls can come and try on the dresses and accessories.

“After cleaning out my attic and seeing our First Communion dresses up there, I decided that it’s a waste for these dresses to be worn just once,” said Sanders. “I know people donate prom dresses and thought that I could do something similar with First Communion dresses.”

First Communion dresses, shoes and accessories can cost hundreds of dollars.

“Some people can’t afford to buy a dress for that amount of money, especially if it’s worn only once,” said Sanders. “I want to help people who don’t have the money to buy a beautiful First Communion dress.”
Sanders is a graduate of St. Peter’s School and is a junior at Our Lady of Mercy Academy in Syosset. She has three sisters: Jane, a freshman at Mercy; Nina, an 8th grader at St. Peter’s; and Faith, a 6th grader at St. Peter’s. With three sisters, Sanders knows a thing or two about dresses.

“All of the dresses that I’ve gotten so far are so beautiful and in perfect shape,” said Sanders.

Sanders runs cross country, plays volleyball and is a member of the Spanish Honor Society and a candidate for the National Honor Society.

In April, children and their parents can come and try on the dresses and accessories and choose ones they would like to keep. Stay tuned for a date and time.

If you would like to donate a Communion dress and accessories such as veils, crowns and shoes, call 516-883-6383.

Source: http://portwashington-news.com/communion-dresses-for-a-cause/

The Briarcliff HS National Honor Society sponsored the charitable effort

Briarcliff High School’s National Honor Society hosted a blood drive in conjunction with the New York Blood Center as winter wound down, offering students and faculty the opportunity to give back during a time of year when donations are especially needed.

“We tried to get students involved in advance,” said senior Jordana Cohen, co-vice president of the National Honor Society. “A lot of people have been showing up.”
The high school gymnasium was filled with teachers and students throughout the day who were looking to make a difference.

“It’s a really easy thing to do,” said Cohen. “And donating blood could potentially save someone’s life.”

Photo Caption: Briarcliff High School’s National Honor Society sponsored a New York Blood Center drive during an especially needy time of year.

Photos courtesy of the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District

In the Merrick School District, Norman J. Levy Lakeside School student council held a Dance-A-Thon, raising more than $4,000 for local charities.

Prior to the event, fourth-, fifth-and sixth-grade students collected donations from family, friends and neighbors throughout the month of February for Sunrise Day Camp and the Making It Happen Foundation.

Sunrise Day Camp is a Long Island summer camp that provides children with cancer and their siblings free of charge. The second charity, Making It Happen Foundation, was founded by the family of NFL player Michael Oher to promote awareness, provide hope and improve the lives of children living in foster care.

Wearing their Dance-A-Thon shirts designed by the fifth-grade class, students gathered in the Lion’s Den ready to dance the evening away and increase the donations for their charities. Music by DJ Mark from Hart to Hart and dancers motivated students throughout the night to continue dancing with their friends. By the end of the event, with the support of all the students, teachers, administration and community, Lakeside’s student council raised $4,665 for these two organizations.

Photo Captions:

Excitement was in the air for Levy Lakeside students as they celebrated their charitable efforts.

Photos courtesy of the Merrick School District

On Saturday, the LIU Post field hockey team took part in the third-annual Town of Oyster Bay Polar Plunge at Tobay Beach, benefiting Special Olympics New York.

The Pioneers helped to raise funds for Special Olympics by taking a dip into the frigid Long Island waters.

“We are very grateful for the opportunity to work with Special Olympics New York,” said Head Field Hockey Coach Raenee Savin. “They do such great things for the community and we wanted to do everything we could to be a part of it.”

Established in 1969, Special Olympics New York has 67,162 athletes training and competing year-round in 22 Olympics-style sports. They provide intellectually-disable people with opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship.

For more information on Special Olympics New York, please visit specialolympics-ny.org.

East Islip High School held its annual Winter Sports Awards Night on March 9, honoring student-athletes in the school’s auditorium as well as featuring a special fundraising presentation.
As part of a leadership project, five students in the school’s National Honor Society, cross-country and track teams – Amanda Engrassia, Jessica Carrino, Sarah Commisso, Julia Rizzo and Kyra Walls – had spearheaded a series of charitable event efforts on behalf of the East Islip Athletic Booster Club. During the awards ceremony, the group presented a $14,40.74 check to EIABC President Bob Sendell.

_D4S7558, _D4S7563: East Islip High School Amanda Engrassia, Jessica Carrino, Sarah Commisso, Julia Rizzo and Kyra Walls presented a check to East Islip Athletic Booster Club President Bob Sendell during the school’s Winter Sports Awards Night.

Photos courtesy of the East Islip School District