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FREEPORT, N.Y. – Last month, members of the Queens College men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams assisted Operation SPLASH in their beach cleanup along Long Island’s South Shore.

The Knights collected garbage along the beaches and hopped on SPLASH boats to clean up the bays and waterways, disposing trash and debris to reduce the pollution along the waterfront.

Since being founded in 1990, Operation SPLASH has grown from one caring person to several thousand concerned members in seven chapters dotted all along Long Island’s South Shore. The six SPLASH boats run from March through November and are operated by volunteer captains and crewmembers.

SPLASH boats patrol the South Shore’s local waterways. Over the past three decades, the organization’s volunteers have rescued more than 2 million pounds of trash, marine debris and navigational hazards from these bays, beaches and waterways. Most of what is pulled from the water comes from the surrounding land — through storm drains and from storms blowing debris into the water.

To assist fellow classmates in need, Hampton Bays Elementary School second-graders in Ms. Kristen Webber’s class have been collecting boxes of crayons to send to a school in Texas affected by Hurricane Harvey.

Over the past several weeks, the students received donations of hundreds of crayons that will be sent directly to Elizabeth Kotey, a fourth-grade teacher at Burnett Elementary School in the Pasadena Independent School District. The crayons will be sent along with letters from Ms. Webber’s students.

Photo Caption: Hampton Bays Elementary School second-graders have been working to collect crayons for a Texas school affected by Hurricane Harvey. From left are students Skye Patino, Connor Bullinger and Anais Perez.   

Photo courtesy of the Hampton Bays School District

New York, NY –  Representatives from 10 Manhattan programs participated in the 16th annual Tunnel to Towers 5K run/walk through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to Ground Zero on Sunday, September 24 as members of Team Shamrock.

The event, which drew over 30,000 people, raises money for America’s service members through programs such as “Building for America’s Bravest.”

Runners followed the footsteps of firefighter Stephen Siller, who ran through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 while carrying 60 pounds of firefighter gear. Siller died when the south tower collapsed. Click HERE for more information on Stephen Siller.

All money raised goes to help first responders and military personnel.

Team Shamrock, which raised over $150,000, was created by Kathy Cunningham as a way to honor her brother, Donald W. Robertson Jr., who was killed in the 9/11 attacks. Cunningham’s daughter Kaitlyn played for the Women’s Lacrosse from 2013-2016.

http://gojaspers.com/news/2017/9/26/womens-lacrosse-manhattan-student-athletes-participate-in-16th-annual-tunnel-to-towers-5k.aspx

Students across the Riverhead Central School District are doing their part to assist those affected by hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

At Aquebogue Elementary School, students have been collecting nonperishable goods including bottled water, baby wipes, diapers, canned foods, new clothing and blankets. The drive is being coordinated with the assistance of the PTO.

Meanwhile, Pulaski Street sixth-grade teacher Colleen Nizza kicked off a collection drive with her students. All of the donations received will be shipped to Texas as part of the Helping Makes You Happy Foundation.

Roanoke Elementary school students raised $200 through a car wash that they held at their school. The money they raised will be used to purchase school supplies for Ripley House Charter School in Houston. The school was damaged during Hurricane Harvey.

First-graders at Riley Avenue have also commenced a fundraiser. They are working on creating a class book that they will be selling for $1 each. The money they raise will be donated to the Red Cross Relief Fund.

Photo Captions:

1: Riverhead Central School District first-graders at Riley Avenue are making a class book to raise money for Hurricane victims.

2: Pulaski Street sixth-graders have collected nonperishable goods that are being shipped to Texas Through the Helping Makes You Happy Foundation.

Photos courtesy of the Riverhead Central School District