Rocky Point School District students and staff have been working to raise funds and awareness to support breast cancer initiatives through several creative and longstanding events.

This year’s 12th annual “Pack the “Track” event brought together hundreds of students, faculty and community members who walked together in the fight against breast cancer. In collaboration with the middle and high schools, the Rocky

Point cheerleader’s annual program raised approximately $4,000. This will be donated to the Hewlett House and a small portion will benefit a special member of the Rocky Point community.

“Every year this event pulls at my heartstrings,” said coach Anna Spallina. “It’s difficult to put into words to describe what this event means to me.  Our solidarity as a district is exhilarating.”

Photo Caption : Rocky Point School District students, faculty and community members raised approximately $4,000 during this year’s “Pack the Track” event.

Photos provided by the Rocky Point School District

Across the Port Jefferson School District, students are doing their part to help raise awareness and funds for John T. Mather Memorial Hospital’s breast cancer outreach project, called, “Paint Port Pink.”

Throughout the month of October, students are building on the outreach campaign by raising awareness within their respective schools through fundraising efforts.

At the Edna Louise Spear Elementary School, students are collecting monetary donations in a large hourglass; Port Jefferson Middle School student council members are selling pink shoelaces and Frisbees; and Earl L. Vandermeulen
High School’s varsity cheerleaders and student organization members are participating in a pink flamingo “flocking” fundraiser. The flamingo fundraiser raises money as community members provide a monetary donation to have the
cheerleaders place a flock of pink, plastic flamingos in a neighbor’s yard.

“Through their participation in this community event, our students are being exposed to valuable lessons in community service and character education, as well as learn the importance of giving back,” noted Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics Debra Ferry, who helped organize the district’s participation.

Photo Caption: Earl L. Vandermeulen High School Varsity cheerleaders are helping to raise funds and awareness of the Paint Port Pink initiative by participating in a “flocking” fundraiser.

Photo courtesy of the Port Jefferson School District

The University of the District of Columbia men’s basketball team volunteered at Peabody School Gardens Saturday morning, October 17th.

From 9-11 AM, the men’s basketball student-athletes and coaching staff did general clean-up and maintenance, pruning of shrubs and trees, rebuilding of stone borders and edging of the 9,000 square foot garden which surrounds the Early Childhood Center, a DC Public School on Capitol Hill.

The garden areas support the school’s integrated art, science, math, English and geography curriculum and the “Story of Food: Growing Healthy Readers” project. The initial garden areas and programs were developed in 1996 under the leadership of three faculty and supported by numerous volunteers with generous financial support from the community and other non-profit organizations. In 2004, the UDC Master Gardening Program formed a partnership with the school gardening program to support and sustain the gardening program, and two Master Gardeners were assigned to work with the school.

Kellenberg Cheerleading took part in the Autism Speaks Walk at Jones Beach for the first time this year. The cheerleaders came out in force to support Autism Speaks, an organization which raises money to support research geared towards Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The walk is just one of many ways that Autism Speaks reaches out to advocate for individuals suffering from autism.

Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Bob and Suzanne Wright, grandparents of a child with autism. According to the Autism Speaks website, ASD and autism are both general terms for, “a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors.”

Autism Speaks has grown into the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism. It also increases awareness of ASD and advocates for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Since its inception, Autism Speaks has committed more than $525 million to its mission, the majority in science and medical research. Each year Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are held in more than 100 cities across North America

With the remnants of Hurricane Joaquin still in the air, it was a cold, cloudy and very windy Sunday morning on October 4th. Freshman, JV, and Varsity Cheerleaders, along with the coaches, met at Kellenberg Memorial High School at 7:30 AM. The cheerleaders came dressed in their Kellenberg warm ups and all wore a blue cheer bow high in our hair to show support and raise awareness about Autism. As we all got on the bus, we were cold and tired; but as soon as we pulled up to Jones Beach the energy of the thousands of people inspired us and made us want to get off the bus. We crossed the start line and began our 3-mile journey. Many people there were walking for a family member, a friend or just to support the Autism Speaks organization.

The walk took place on the boardwalk of Jones Beach. Cheerleaders were asked to give a donation to support the cause and walk. Varsity captain Julia Stackpole said, “We don’t just walk because we have to, we do it because we choose to.” Varsity cheerleader Eleni Muratore added, “I’m so proud to take part in this amazing experience.”

Our team’s participation in the walk supports the goal to change the future for all who struggle with an autism spectrum disorder. According to the Jones Beach website, over 15,000 participants came to Jones Beach – Field 5 and walked united for the Long Island autism community. To date, they have raised $727,468. This number just keeps on growing.

I am so thankful and honored to be a part of Kellenberg Cheerleading that supports the mission of Autism Speaks to change the future for all those who are affected by autism.

– See more at: http://teamup4community.org/events/kellenberg-cheerleading-takes-part-autism-speaks-walk-jones-beach#sthash.NyQkChz3.dpuf

DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) member Mercy College, is rising up to support the people of South Carolina. The Mavericks have committed to helping out fellow ECAC DII Field Hockey member, Newberry College, in collecting items needed by those affected by the flooding in South Carolina.

Head Coach Kayte Kinsley and her sqaud are traveling south and trying to pack their charter bus before they go. The ECAC encourages all local institutions to get involved and support the South Carolina Community. All items need to be delivered to Mercy by Thursday October 15.

Here is a list of items needed:

Cases of bottled water

Canned meat

Canned food

Baby and adult diapers

Baby forumla

Feminine hygiene products

“In a time when other Americans are in need, we need to rise up as adults, coaches and mentors and lead the way for our student-athletes so that they can understand the importance of giving back and helping others,” said Assistant Director of Athletics/SWA, Dawn Anselmi.

For more information, please contact the Mercy College Athletic Departement. http://www.mercyathletics.com/landing/index