The annual Dimes for Dezy campaign held at Cherokee Street Elementary School in the Connetquot Central School District raised $1,215 to assist those struggling with cancer.
For two weeks, students emptied their change into a large water jug in memory of the late Connetquot resident Matt DiStefano (Dezy) and the Dezy Strong Foundation. With assistance from teacher Cindy Campenella, Matt DiStefano’s children, third grader Giuliana DiStefano and first grader Gio DiStefano, emptied the donation jug each day and sorted the money collected.
Each Thursday, students wore their Dezy Strong shirts, Mr. DiStefano’s former cancer treatment day, and decorated the lobby wall with ribbon pledges to demonstrate their own strength and their support of the annual fundraiser.
“We are proud to continue the legacy and be a part of something to help our community,” Ms. Campenella said.
Photo captions:
A: Cherokee Street Elementary School students Giuliana DiStefano and Gio DiStefano, children of the late Matt DiStefano, emptied out and sorted change donated by peers for the annual Dezy Strong Foundation fundraiser for which they raised $1,215.
B: Cherokee Street Elementary School teacher Cindy Campenella, center, is pictured with, from left, Giuliana DiStefano, Gio DeStefano, and Dimes for Dezy contributors David Jalloh and Vincent Dortona-Sanchez.
C: Cherokee Street Elementary School students signed #WeGetTo be Dezy Strong pledges, which line the hallway of Cherokee Street Elementary School.
Photos courtesy of the Connetquot Central School District
Leave a Reply