“Athletes 2 Athletes was formed in 2011 by four senior athletes in my class as part of a competition to create a business plan…they went above and beyond to turn their plan into action after they saw needs within the community that they could help with. Specifically their basketball coach at the time had a stroke and he need some things that insurance simply wouldn’t cover. Also, their English teacher had a niece and nephew both who suffer from a terminal illness and they needed help purchasing a handicap van and swimming equipment for the children. That year we were able to help both families.

After they graduated I asked them if they cared if I continued to run the organization as a non-profit and just got new athletes to help every year. Since 2011 we have had over 100 athletes work for A2A.

This year we have 29 athletes from various sports who plan and run a charity basketball game between the K-8 Staff and HS Staff along with lots of family activities to bring our community together. They set up Face painting, concessions, raffles, A2A clothing, halftime entertainment, 50/50, local mascots from professional and college teams, and many other things. This year we are mostly helping two families. One family the Taylors, have a mom who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and have had lots of medical and travel expenses piling up. The Taylors have two boys in our baseball program one in 7th grade and one on Varsity. Secondly, a Johnson City police officers son who is 4 years old needs a heart transplant. The son is currently in NYC and he has to travel on his off days to be there. Those are the two main things.

We also donate 1,000’s of dollars to local events to help raise awareness for causes. One of the young students we helped in 2011 passed away and we pay for shirts for a group of 20+ runners to run in her honor.

We sponsor other fundraisers, donate food to students/families in need, buy Christmas presents and so many random things I wouldn’t have time to write.

This year our big game is on February 28th. We actually for the first time have 2 police officers playing in the game as well as the Broome County Executive Jason Garnar playing.

Out of the 29 student athletes participating they put in between 30-60 hours each depending on their position within the organization.

All our marketing material is also created by the students as well as our social media and website. ” — Joseph Schieve Athletes 2 Athletes Chair person

 

Please consider supporting them in the great work they are doing to make a difference in the lives of others in their community https://www.gofundme.com/jca2a2019

 

Photo caption: Members of the Southampton Elementary School Student Council are working on a community service project to help those in need this winter. During the past month, they have been collecting gently used coats that will be dry-cleaned by Good Ground Cleaners in Hampton Bays and then delivered to the Heart of the Hamptons groups. The project is one of many that the student council has worked on this school year. Earlier this year, they held a water bottle collection to raise money for the Women’s Cancer Coalition and collected shoes for Operation International, which provides medical and humanitarian aid to impoverished countries.

 

Photo courtesy of the Southampton School District

The Students for 60,000 club at Northport High School, which is dedicated to helping the homeless, is preparing to take its first service trip to West Virginia to work in some of the most impoverished, opioid-stricken communities in the United States. Before leaving for the trip during February break, students attended the County Executive’s forum on the opioid epidemic. Additionally, the club presented the work they have been doing for the homeless, as well as what they will be doing on their service trip.

Students for 60,000 began in 1987 as a school club dedicated to assisting the homeless. The name of the club comes from the approximate number of 60,000 homeless in New York City at the time. Over the years, the club has turned into a program that organizes fundraisers that raise money and awareness for those in need.

“This will be a chance for the students to see first-hand that, while our states may be very different, we are all still human and are all equally vulnerable to the disease of addiction,” said social studies teacher and club adviser Darryl St. George. “This trip is a continuation of seeking to fulfill our mission: helping those in need.”

 

Photo caption: The Students for 60,000 club at Northport High School will be taking a service trip to West Virginia during February break, and in preparation attended the County Executive’s forum on the opioid epidemic on Feb. 6.

Photo courtesy of the Northport-East Northport School District

Photo caption: Students and staff members at East Meadow High School are being encouraged to wear pink and/or red every Friday throughout the month of February to demonstrate their love and passion for their school and community.

 

Photos courtesy of the East Meadow School District

Covert Avenue School first-graders and members of the Student Council worked collaboratively to run a lemonade stand during their lunch periods as a fundraiser for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a pediatric cancer charity.

The first-grade classes read the book “Lemonade in Winter” before the day of the sale. The book tells the story of two siblings who open a lemonade stand in the coldest time of the year despite their parents’ objections. During the event, students collected money and handed out cups of lemonade and napkins to their customers.

Principal Mary Natoli extended her thanks to the first-grade students’ families, who generously donated lemonade mix, napkins and cups to ensure the sale’s success. The sale raised $400 for the organization, which included a $75 donation from the Student Council.

 

Photo Captions:

1. Covert Avenue School first-graders made and sold lemonade to their peers to raise money for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.
2. Covert Avenue School first-graders (from left): Micah John, Lacey Lopez, Kaarunya Yasotharan and Sophia Collett are pictured with a poster created for the sale.
3. Covert Avenue School student Ume Kulsoom Muhammad smiled after purchasing lemonade during lunch.
4. Covert Avenue School Principal Mary Natoli and first-grade teacher Concetta Moryl are pictured with students (from left): Fatima Raza, Ayannah Bertrand, Tristan Gulamadeen, Keely Harinandan and Elvin Maldonado.

 

Photos courtesy of the Elmont School District