East Islip High School’s varsity softball team and coach Jason McGowan met up at a local Target store before the holidays to participate in the team’s annual shopping extravaganza for the nonprofit Christmas Magic program, coordinated by Hauppauge attorney Charlie Russo.
In conjunction with the Amityville High School WAC PAC, a student leadership program coordinated by McGowan, teens shopped for 84 underprivileged children who attend a daycare center in Middle Island. Each athlete, shopping for two to three children, was given a $100 bill and a handwritten “Dear Santa” list filled with clothing, toys and electronics. “I loved shopping for my little girl,” said student Ashley Benvengo. “It felt good knowing that she woke up Christmas morning and had a bunch of toys.”
IMG_3936: East Islip High School’s varsity softball team shopped for underprivileged children at Target as part of the annual Christmas Magic program.
Photo by East Islip School District
