As part of a proud holiday tradition, South Middle School students organized a Thanksgiving Food Drive. After sorting and bagging the food items, student and parent volunteers delivered the food to the Salvation Army in Freeport, to help that organization spread holiday cheer. Students worked under the guidance of teacher Alyssa Papa.

“The food drive was a great success,” said Ms. Papa. “The best part was seeing how teachers, students, and parents collaborated to create a wonderful experience for our students and for those who benefited from their efforts.”

Story and photo courtesy of Lynbrook Public Schools

KINGS PARK, NY — A youth hockey team on Long Island is helping to make the wish of a terminally ill boy come true.

On Sunday, the Long Island Royals honored 4-year-old Luke Carusillo, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in February.

Before their game in Kings Park, the Royals made Luke, who is a big hockey fan, an honorary team member.

The team has also been working with the Make-a-Wish Foundation to raise money to send Luke and his Lake Grove family to Disney World.

“He’s been through so much at his age already and we just wanted to make it a special day for him and raise money for him to get him to go to Disney World,” 16-year-old Kyle Jadatz said.

By Monday, they had reached their goal to raise $7,000.

Click news article below for more information.

http://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/long-island-royals-midget-16u-hockey-team-helps-make-child-s-disney-world-dream-come-true-1.11176375

During its annual Turkey Trot celebration prior to Thanksgiving, students and faculty members at Archer Street School in the Freeport Public School District presented local nonprofit animal rescue organization Bobbi & the Strays with a check for $2,860.

With the entire Archer Street community creating a sea of orange, yellow and red on festive hats and colorful class signs, Bobbi & the Strays graciously accepted the check prior to a march around the school. The organization then presented Archer Street with a certification of appreciation for its ongoing support and donations.

The annual Turkey Trot and fundraiser highlighted Archer’s commitment to giving back, especially during the holiday season, and also served to teach students about the importance of being thankful.

Photo caption: Gathering of all Archer Street students and faculty members

Photos courtesy of Freeport Public Schools

Seneca Middle School recently hosted its annual Turkey Trot and Empty Bowl event.

Students who participated in the Turkey Trot raised money and ran the one-mile course around Seneca.

Afterwards, students and their families attended the school’s Empty Bowl Dinner where they had the opportunity to have unlimited homemade soup, bread, dessert, and drinks – made available from the kitchens of the school’s staff and faculty – to help needy families in our community.

The money and donations they made raised over $2,800.

Thirty families within the Seneca family will receive a turkey with all the trimmings along with a gift card to Stop and Shop to purchase any additional items they may need.

Glen Cove High School athletes Michelle Melfi, Lindsey Payton and Sean Morrisey offered tips to youth elementary students in glen cove school on how to hold a lacrosse stick and how to cradle the ball. They also spoke to students about peer pressure, the importance of taking part in extracurricular activities and reminded the youngsters to always look out for their own best interests.

Many of Glen Cove High School’s student-lacrosse players visited each of the district’s elementary schools in an effort to promote the sport of lacrosse. The high school athletes also encouraged the elementary students to participate in the Glen Cove Jr. Lacrosse Club’s free clinics, which will take place at Finley Middle School on Wednesdays Dec. 2, Dec. 9, Dec. 16, Dec. 23 and Jan. 6 for boys grades K-6; and on Fridays Dec. 4, Dec. 11, Dec. 18 and Jan. 8 for girls grades K-8. All clinics will be held from 6:30-8 p.m.

Photo Captions:

1. Glen Cove High School athletes and Landing physical education teacher Karen Serani taught Landing students the basics of lacrosse.

2. Kaelyn Bonilla enjoyed taking part in the lacrosse lesson.

3. Glen Cove High School student Michelle Melfi showed Diego Henrriquez how to hold a lacrosse stick.

4. Third-grader Nicholas Garcia practiced cradling the ball during the class.

Photos courtesy of Glen Cove City School District