SHIRLEY, N.Y.- The Make-A-Wish Suffolk County Chapter partnered with the Dowling College Athletics Program in hosting the 3rd Annual Walk For Wishes 5K this afternoon at Dowling’s Brookhaven Campus.

Over 200 student-athletes and staff participated in the event, which had over 300 runners and is projected to raise over $20,000.

“It was so much fun hanging our with all the kids,” said senior Jessica Kalbfleisch of the Dowling College volleyball team. “It was very inspiring to the community come together to help Sam fulfill his wish.”

Prior to the race, Make-A-Wish Suffolk Chapter President and CEO Karine Hollander granted Sam, a 4-year-old boy from Greenport, N.Y., his wish to meet his favorite Superheroes. The Golden Lions transformed their baseball field into a Superhero Academy where Sam and local kids were able to train along side Batman, Spiderman, Wonder Woman, and many others in events such as archery, target practice, basketball, and a dunk tank. Marvel’s Ironman then came for the Superhero’s Oath and to present Sam with a special cape and a trip Disneyland and Universal Studios where he will be able to meet more of his favorite superheroes.

“Make A Wish is such a wonderful organization,” stated Vice President for Athletics Melody Cope. “I am so proud that our student athletes can play a role in making this event special for the wish recipients each year.”

Continuing its longstanding commitment to philanthropy, in 2003 the NCAA Division II established a national alliance with Make-A-Wish, a global charity that grants wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. It is the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 62 chapters throughout the United States and its territories. Since it’s inception, the Suffolfk Chapter has granted over 2,400 wishes to local wishes with over 120 wishes this year alone.

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

Garden City, N.Y. — On Saturday, September 26, the Adelphi University softball team and the softball programs of LIU Post, Central Connecticut State and Fairfield University gathered together for Adelphi’s Breast Cancer Fall Playdate, a day of fall softball in support of breast cancer awareness and the non-profit organization Unite for Her.

For a suggested admission of $5, fans could attend four games between the teams beginning at 10 am; in total, the afternoon raised $1,290.00 in just suggested admission. In addition, the Panthers are donating 25 percent of t-shirt sales from the event, which totals $135.00. From this, Adelphi softball will be cutting a check to Unite for Her in the amount of $1,425.00.

In addition to contributions made at the gate, the Adelphi softball team created a pledge program which allowed all four teams to contribute to the cause. Fans and supporters of the cause alike had an opportunity to pledge any amount they would like for every base reached, hit or strikeout on the day, while also allowing for flat donations. Thus far in flat donations and pledges, the team has received $1,911.00 from 20 different people, families and local businesses. With pledges still rolling in over the next few weeks, additional donations could total over $2,000. As of October 1, the total in admission, merchandise and donations is at $3,336.

Adelphi also also registered its game with the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA), who provided us with “Strikeout Cancer” helmet stickers, eye black, and a pink first-pitch ball. Pat Miller threw out the ceremonial first pitch to her husband and Adelphi baseball alum, Dave Miller. Pat is a cancer survivor, and has raised over $72,500 from 2009 to today to help those facing breast cancer. She began raising funds long before 2009; however, she only has financial records on money raised from 2009 on. She has raised tens of thousands of dollars without any corporate assistance or sponsorship.

“We want to genuinely thank every single person who participated, attended, or donated to our event,” said head coach Breanne Nasti. “We are so incredibly overwhelmed by the goodwill and generosity of those who support us. Having an event like this one reminds us how truly grateful we are to have so many good-hearted people within and surrounding our program. We also want to thank the players, staff, family, friends and fans of LIU Post, Fairfield, and Central Connecticut. We owe the day’s success to the collaborate efforts of all involved.”

Unite for Her is a non-profit out of Pennsylvania, which began in 2009. Unite for Her’s cornerstone has been to bridge that gap for breast cancer patients, focusing on wellness initiatives that will positively impact their health, as well as the health of all women and girls. Unite for Her strives to make a positive difference in the lives of women and girls by supporting and providing breast cancer and wellness programs that educate, empower, and restore, while considering not only physical needs, but emotional and spiritual needs as well.

For information about and to donate to Unite for Her, visit its official site, http://www.uniteforher.org.

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

The Deer Park/North Babylon girls varsity swimming and diving team were in attendance again at this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, held on Sept. 19 at Belmont Lake State Park.

The students, who attended the Walk in the prior two years, participated in the opening ceremony and the two-mile walk around the lake, raising more than $200 for the Long Island chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Extra motivation for these service-minded high schoolers came from a personal encounter with the disease.

“The grandmother of a past team member, who graduated last year, has Alzheimer’s,” explained Kaitlyn Sullivan, a college and career counselor at Deer Park High School. “The girls saw how it affected both the grandmother and their friend, and they wanted to help raise awareness.”

Photo Caption: DPNB Swim Team 1, DPNB Swim Team 2: The Deer Park/North Babylon girls varsity swimming and diving team raised more than $200 participating in the Sept. 19 Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Belmont Lake State Park.

Photos by Deer Park School District

Wearing their purple and white football jerseys, eight seniors on the Earl L. Vandermeulen High School varsity football team volunteered to share their love of literacy by reading to Port Jefferson first graders at Edna Louise Spear Elementary
School this fall.

The football players – Shane Bruno, Nick Caltagirone, Mike DiCalogero, Bill Govits, John Guerra, Garret Hiz, Jefferson Koutsantanou, Spencer Wooley – participated in the event as part of a community outreach program organized by the team’s booster club.

“The high school athletes were very exited about this opportunity to give back,” said coach Andrew Cosci.

After reading “Fall Mixed Up,” by Bob Raczka; “If You Take a Mouse to School,” by Laura Numeroff; and “A Bad Case of Stripes,” by David Shannon, the players took turns answering questions from students. The reading session culminated with the athletes taking the first graders outside to teach them how to throw a football.

Photo Caption: Earl L. Vandermeulen High School varsity football players read to Edna Louise Spear Elementary School first graders on Sept. 28.

Photo courtesy of the Port Jefferson School District

QUEENS, N.Y. — St. John’s softball participated in University Service Day on Saturday, Sept. 26, as the squad made a trip to Atrium Assisted Living in Jamaica, Queens to lend a hand for the third consecutive year.

“The softball program fully embraces the University’s Vincentian mission and truly enjoys giving back to the community,” head coach Amy Kvilhaug said. “University Service Day is one of the most enjoyable experiences of the year for our student-athletes. They have completely taken ownership of the event and look forward to their annual visit with the lovely folks at the Atrium Assisted Living Facility.”

Organized by seniors Shirley Chui and Carly Williams, the Red Storm interacted with the members of Atrium by leading stretches and playing games such as volleyball and Wii bowling.

“Saturday was a good opportunity for us to work together as a team off the field,” Williams said. “We were all able to get to know the elderly and relate to them, which brought us together as a team.”

The group arranged trivia jeopardy for the Atrium members and donated St. John’s gear for the home. Chui particularly enjoyed meeting several World War II veterans and a music composer that worked with Elvis Presley.

“My favorite moment came when Grace [Kramer] and I were leading stretches and James displayed for us his dance moves he rocked back in the `70s,” Chui recalled. “He had us play the Bee Gee’s `Staying Alive’ and started dancing. We all had a good laugh and it really made me happy that we were able to put a smile on their faces.”

The Red Storm resumes play next weekend as the squad welcomes Monmouth and Fairleigh Dickinson for a fall doubleheader on Oct. 3. beginning at 1 p.m.

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