Culminating their collective fundraising efforts, the W.T. Clarke Middle School Change 4 Change club in the East Meadow School District recently presented donations to 10 worthy charitable organizations during a special ceremony.

Change 4 Change is a student-driven service club in which members develop creative fundraising projects and hold competitions throughout the year to benefit charities of their choosing. Over the course of the academic year, members have organized and participated in fundraising events, provided services to the community and advocated for organizations close to their hearts to receive donations at the end-of-year assembly. This year’s fundraisers included Dunk-A-Teacher, Teacher Polar Plunge, Ugly Sweater Day, Guess the Candy Corn, Principal for a Day, Coin Collection: Competition of the Grades, Denim for Dollars, and raffles and book collections.

Opening the Change 4 Change Giving Assembly, W.T. Clarke Middle School Principal Stacy Breslin welcomed students, faculty and honored guests to this heartwarming celebration.
“I am very proud of each and every one of you for bringing our motto, ‘Clarke Cares,’ to life today,” Breslin said. “It is through your generosity, strong moral character and fundraising efforts that you have made a positive impact on the school and community.”
The festivities continued as W.T. Clarke Middle School Homes and Career teacher Anne LaGreca received the “Be the Change” award for going above and beyond in making a positive difference at W.T. Clarke Middle School and in the community.

Prior to presenting the charity representatives with their checks, club members explained why the organization is important to them and how it has made an impact in their lives. This year’s charities included the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association of America, Last Hope Animal Rescue, the League of Yes, the Hagedorn Little Village, the Henry Viscardi School, Building Homes for Heroes, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Bethany House and the Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County.
Change 4 Change advisers Katie Pienkos and Ashley Sanalitro express their gratitude to the W.T. Clarke Middle School administration, faculty, students and custodial staff for their support, guidance and help throughout the year. They also thank the club members for their dedication and hard work each week and throughout the year.

Photo Caption:

Members of the W.T. Clarke Middle School Change 4 Change club held a special ceremony in which they presented donations to 10 worthy charitable organizations

Photos courtesy of the East Meadow School District

For the month of May, Islip’s Wing Elementary School teamed up with the Children’s Tumor Foundation to bring awareness to neurofibromatosis, often abbreviated as NF. One of the school’s first-graders has this condition.
To end this very special month, Wing students and staff participated in a “Hero Dash” on May 31, joined by Suffolk County Legislator Tom Cilmi. Students wore NF-themed “Brave” capes as they walked and ran for the cause, raising $1,680 dollars for the Tumor Foundation.

Image: Students at Islip’s Wing Elementary School wore capes in a “Hero Dash” to bring awareness to neurofibromatosis and raise funds for the Children’s Tumor Foundation.

Photo courtesy of the Islip School District

The basketball skills of East Broadway faculty, students and parents in Levittown were put to the ultimate challenge during a game against the Harlem Wizards. This fundraiser generated $4,000 for the school’s student activity account and will be used to enhance the outdoor sound system for events.
It was a memorable evening for everyone who participated.

Photo courtesy of the Levittown School District

Rocky Point High School’s varsity baseball team recently held its fourth annual Live Like Susie Scholarship Fundraising game, which was played in memory of Rocky Point alumna Susie Facini.
The team played the early May game against Mount Sinai varsity baseball after working for weeks under the direction of coach Andrew Aschettino gathering donations and creating commemorative T-shirts, all in support of the annual scholarship. This year, thanks to the generosity of both teams, Rocky Point baseball raised more than $600 in a matter of hours for the worthy cause.
That same week was made even sweeter for Rocky Point baseball, as coach Aschettino reached a professional milestone – his 200th career game win. To help celebrate, the team surprised him with a little celebration during the Live Like Susie Scholarship game, complete with a commemorative cake made by Mrs. Facini.

Photo Caption: Rocky Point High School’s varsity baseball team recently held its fourth annual Live Like Susie Scholarship Fundraising game, which was played in memory of Rocky Point alumna Susie Facini.

Photo courtesy of the Rocky Point School District

Third- through fifth-grade students at Bayport-Blue Point School District’s Academy Street Elementary School were recently joined by members of the community to celebrate the fifth annual “Friends of Carly Fun Run” in honor of former Academy student Carly LeStrange.

After being cheered on by kindergarten through second-grade students lining the front entrance of Academy Street Elementary, students, staff and their families joined one another to jog around the newly renovated Bayport-Blue Point High School track.
Additionally, $1,046.16 was raised in honor of the Carly LeStrange Scholarship Fund by members of the community to be awarded to a 2017 graduate of Bayport-Blue Point High School.

Photo Caption: Third- through fifth-grade students at Bayport-Blue Point School District’s Academy Street Elementary School recently joined members of the community to celebrate the fifth annual “Friends of Carly Fun Run.”

Photo courtesy of Bayport-Blue Point School District