The Mercy College athletic department 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 squad are traveling south and trying to pack their charter bus before they go. All items need to be delivered to Main Hall Room 245 by Thursday, October 15.

Here is a list of items needed:

Cases of bottled water

Canned meat

Canned food

Baby and adult diapers

Baby formula

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 Anselmin.

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

On Thursday, members of the St. Thomas Aquinas College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee rolled up their sleeves and volunteered to give the college patio a complete makeover.

The area, which has become a favorite spot for the STAC student population to gather, study and socialize, was in need of a little tender loving care and the members of SAAC at St. Thomas Aquinas College approached Director of Athletics, Gerry Oswald with a plan to spruce up the space and make it more modern and friendly for those who would like to use it.

Existing tables were outfitted with umbrellas, Adirondack chairs were added and the space was completed with hay bales, pumpkins and other Halloween decorations. The student-athletes are also committed to changing the theme and decor of the patio to match each season and specific holidays.

The first major event scheduled to take place on the newly renovated patio will occur on Thursday, October 29th and will be hosted by the STAC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. A Halloween themed evening will be on tap, complete with a pie eating contest, apple bobbing, a costume contest, live music, food, drink and so much more.

Story courtesy of: http://www.stacathletics.com/

On Monday, October 5, 2015, the Bay Shore Girls Varsity Soccer team hosted its annual Kicks for Cancer game. Each year, the team raises money for those affected by cancer or battling the disease.

This year, the game took on a whole new meaning for the team. One of Bay Shore’s teachers, Mrs. Jennifer Dobbs, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She is a Bay Shore graduate, teacher and coach, and a role model to so many. Before the game, the team dedicated the game to Mrs. Dobbs, adopting the mantra “Do it for Dobbs!”

Through the support of parents, classmates and teachers the team raised over $1,000 for individuals and families fighting through this disease.

Story and photo courtesy of Bay Shore schools.

On October 12, 2015, Kellenberg’s Girls Junior Varsity Volleyball Team took a trip to Staples to buy supplies for the people who were affected by Hurricane Joaquin. As a team, they decided to contribute money and buy school supplies for the kids who lost everything in South Carolina. School supplies may sound unimportant, but Long Islanders who lost nearly everything in Hurricane Sandy know how important the little things are.

Upon arriving at Staples, the team split up into groups and were tasked with finding the supplies that would best contribute to the kids’ education. The team was astonished by the number of materials they had collected, ranging from pens and pencils to glue sticks and rulers. Each team member contributed $10 for the supplies, and it really went a long way!

The team packed up all the items and sent them to Christ Central Ministries in Columbus, South Carolina. When the ministry gets the donations, they will send them to the affected schools and the kids who need them the most.

The situation in South Carolina is all too similar to that in Long Island, nearly three years ago. Hurricane Sandy negatively impacted the lives of so many New Yorkers; Kellenberg’s network of support was influential in getting families back on their feet. The Junior Varsity Volleyball Team only feels grateful that they were able to contribute to people going through the same hardships that they faced. I was so delighted my team got a chance to pay-it-forward.

Story Courtesy of http://www.kellenberg.org/

Article by Katie Sweeney ’18:

Putting community service into ambulatory action, West Islip High School’s varsity and JV field hockey teams recently volunteered at the Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Belmont Lake State Park on Sept. 19.

Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, the event featured participants of all ages and abilities, walking two miles around the lake to raise funds for the Long Island chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. The group’s mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care for those affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

“We are very proud of the altruistic efforts of our West Islip field hockey players, and their coaches Josephine Hassett, Debra Mock-Dorfman and Joanne Orehosky,” said Superintendent of Schools Bernadette Burns.

2015 Field Hockey Alzheimers: West Islip High School’s varsity and JV field hockey teams recently volunteered at the Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Belmont Lake State Park on Sept. 19.

Photo by West Islip School District