Landing Elementary School in the Glen Cove City School District raised $11,003 during its Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser, which took place during February in correlation with the American Heart Association’s American Heart Month.

Congratulations to Kalia Edwards, who raised $1,200 thanks to the generosity of her family and friends. Her accomplishment is the highest, all-time fundraising record for a single student at Landing Elementary School. In addition to Kalia, other top fundraisers were:

 

Nathan Rup: $600

Elianna Cavese: $400

Sal Totino: $375

Arden Jimenez: $350

David Jimenez: $350

Paige Jimenez: $350

 

Through the Jump Rope for Heart program, students secure donations to jump rope during their physical education class to raise awareness about heart health. There were 137 Landing students who participated in this fundraiser, as well as staff members Ms. Caminiti, Ms. LeDonne, Mrs. Martinovic, Mrs. Muzante, Mrs. Reynolds, Ms. Serani and Ms. Thomas. Every participant raising money received a lanyard and a “Heart Hero,” which was placed on a “Hearty Hero” team poster at school.

Thanks to Mrs. Muzante and Mr. Grazioso, who helped distribute more than 200 prizes to the participating students. A special thanks to all of the Landing families who participated in this event and all those who donated. Each year we are thankful and appreciative of the incredible support throughout this fundraiser.

 

Photo Captions:

1. Landing School students raised more then $11,000 for the American Heart Association.
2. Pictured are Landing School’s top student fundraisers. Together they raised more than $3,600.  

 

Photos courtesy of the Glen Cove City School District

The Massapequa High School girls volleyball team was ranked among the top five teams in the nation for its fundraising efforts through the Dig Pink movement for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Massapequa was one of 14 schools that raised at least $10,000 for the Side-Out Foundation in 2018, and the top five were named Sports Imports Winners. Funds support stage IV breast cancer research.

The girls volleyball team has been participating in the Dig Pink movement for 11 years, and in that time has raised more than $114,000. Massapequa hosts a Dig Pink event each October during a home contest, featuring junior varsity and varsity matches, a performance by the cheerleaders, a flower ceremony, face painting and numerous raffles.

The Dig Pink event was started by former volleyball coach CarolAnn Habeeb-Kiel and continued by current coach Kelley Collins. Massapequa will receive Dig Pink net tape, which goes across the top of a volleyball net, as a prize for being one of the top fundraising schools.

“Thank you to all the coaches, players, parents, staff, students, administration and community members who have continued to support our fundraiser throughout the years here in Massapequa,” Ms. Habeeb-Kiel said.

 

Photo Caption: The Massapequa High School girls varsity volleyball raised more than $10,000 for the Side-Out Foundation for breast cancer research in 2018, ranking them among that top teams in the country.

 

Photo courtesy of the Massapequa School District

Kudos to Levy Lakeside School in Merrick for dancing its way to $5,854 in donations for two very worthwhile causes.

Lakeside School’s Student Council Crew organized a March 29 danceathon, in which fourth, fifth and sixth graders secured donations in exchange for dancing, all for the benefit of Phoenix House and Sunrise Day Camp.

Phoenix House is a nonprofit organization that helps people overcome substance abuse, while Sunrise Day Camp provides camping opportunities to children and families battling cancer. Student raised $2,643 and $3,211 for Phoenix House and Sunrise Day Camp, respectively.

Special thanks to the Student Council Crew for organizing such as wonderful event.

 

Photo Caption: Lakeside students danced the day away while raising significant donations to help others.

 

Photo courtesy of the Merrick School District

Rocky Point High School baseball teams continued its long-standing tradition of giving to others when they once again visited and volunteered at Maureen’s Haven Homeless Outreach Center this spring.

Upon arrival at the center, the team members helped to tidy up the facility, cleaning the floors and setting up bedding and sleeping areas. Additionally, they readied the dining spaces, packed lunch bags and placed donations on the beds of those who would be visiting. As part of this effort, the teams provided both food donations for the center, as well as toiletry items and gift cards to local restaurants for those who stay.

The program has been conducting this outreach effort for the past seven years, beginning first under the direction of now retired coach Andrew Aschettino, who facilitated the effort twice a year.

 

Photo Caption: Rocky Point High School baseball teams volunteered to serve at Maureen’s Haven Homeless Outreach Center.

 

Photo courtesy of the Rocky Point School District

Marine Sgt. Robert Hendriks, who lost his life on April 8 serving his country in Afghanistan, is being honored by the Locust Valley school community with the support of the Falcon Pride Athletic Booster Club and the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

Thanks to a donation from the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Falcon Pride will award the United States Marine Sgt. Robert A. Hendriks Memorial Scholarship to a deserving senior who exemplifies some of the same traits Sgt. Hendriks displayed as a Locust Valley High School student.

To honor Sgt. Hendriks, a member of the Locust Valley High School Class of 2012, Locust Valley athletes in grades 7-12 are wearing red, white and blue armbands to all of their games. The varsity boys lacrosse team is sporting stickers on their helmets with the Marines logo and Sgt. Hendriks’ initials.

The Locust Valley High School Flags for Freedom ceremony on May 20 will include a special tribute to Sgt. Hendriks. This annual ceremony honors members of the military who have fought for our freedom.

Falcon Pride Athletic Booster Club has created a website where donations can be made to the United States Marine Sgt. Robert A. Hendriks Memorial Scholarship. Please visit https://falcon-pride-association.square.site/ to contribute to the scholarship fund, which Falcon Pride hopes to award annually.

The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s mission is to honor the sacrifice of FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller, who laid down his life to save others on September 11, 2001. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation honors and supports our first responders and service members who continue to make the supreme sacrifice of life and limb for our country. For more about the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, please visit Tunnel2Towers.org.

The Locust Valley Central School District thanks the Falcon Pride Athletic Booster Club, the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation and Michael Watson (Locust Valley Class of 1983) who is responsible for connecting the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation and Falcon Pride. Watson has worked with the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation over the years to assist first responders. His relationship with the foundation made the United States Marine Sgt. Robert A. Hendriks Memorial Scholarship possible.

 

Photo Caption: RH Helmets: Locust Valley High School varsity boys lacrosse players are honoring Marine Sgt. Robert Hendriks with a memorial sticker on their helmets.

 

Photo courtesy of Locust Valley Central School District