Number of Participants: 1
Hours Donated: 450
Value of Time Served: $15,656
Event Type: Civic & Community
Activity: Girls Basketball
School: Half Hollow Hills High School East
Date: January 1, 2026
Location:
Half Hollow Hills High School East
Vanderbilt Parkway, Dix Hills
NY
About:
For Samantha Heyman, community service became deeply personal after watching her grandfather lose his leg to diabetes. That life-changing experience shaped her understanding of compassion, dignity, and the importance of showing up for others — values that have guided her remarkable dedication to service throughout high school.
Since 2020, Samantha has served as a student ambassador for Limb Kind, helping support an organization that has provided more than 500 prosthetic limbs to over 400 children around the world. Through fundraising and outreach efforts, Samantha has witnessed the nonprofit’s incredible growth firsthand — expanding from raising under $3,000 annually to nearly $1 million in support for prosthetic care for underserved communities worldwide.
Closer to home, Samantha has also played a role in the annual “Show Your Shine” runway event hosted by the Long Island chapter of Limb Kind. What began as a small gathering with only a few hundred attendees has evolved into a sold-out celebration drawing thousands, empowering individuals with limb differences to proudly share their stories and inspiring a stronger culture of inclusion throughout the community.
Her passion for inclusion extends beyond Limb Kind through her involvement with Budding Friendships. Volunteering alongside individuals with special needs reinforced Samantha’s belief that inclusion is not simply an initiative — it is a daily commitment demonstrated through presence, kindness, and consistency. Whether shooting hoops, playing soccer, or simply spending time together, Samantha found that some of the most meaningful moments came from simply showing up and making others feel valued.
Through her work with both organizations, along with additional school-based service initiatives, Samantha has completed approximately 450 hours of community service during her high school career. Each experience reflects the lesson her grandfather inspired in her years ago: that everyone deserves the opportunity to move through the world with dignity, and that consistent acts of compassion can create lasting impact.
Samantha’s dedication to service, inclusion, and advocacy serves as a powerful example of how one person’s compassion can help change lives — both locally and globally.
