Students at Dutch Broadway School donated $5,627 to Building Homes for Heroes thanks to their yearlong recycling efforts and the school’s third annual Walk-a-Thon to benefit the The Walk-a-Thon, organized by physical education teachers Debra Bennett and Glenn Saenz, began with a moving tribute to local veterans in attendance that represented posts in Elmont, Mineola and Hempstead. The veterans, which included two World War II Purple Heart recipients, were each asked to share their name and a bit of information about their military service, with some struggling to hold back tears. The ceremony featured fifth- and sixth-grade band students playing patriotic music and a bagpipe performance by Ed Geraghty of FDNY Emerald Society Pipes and Drums. Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray also took part in the ceremony, commending the Dutch Broadway students for their community service efforts and thanking the veterans for their service to the country.
Retired U.S. Marine Bill “The Can Man” Urianek was also on hand, presenting the organization with a check for $1,501.50, which represented the students’ yearlong recycling efforts. Urianek visits the school each week to collect the donated bottles. He then recycles the bottles and saves the money in an account for the school. Urianek also presented Principal Walter Aksionoff with a new American flag for the school. Following the ceremony, students took to the field to participate in the school’s Walk-a-Thon, while veterans enjoyed refreshments with administrators and faculty.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Dutch Broadway administrators, teachers and students are pictured with veterans fromElmont, Mineola and Hempstead. Also pictured are Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray (seated, fourth left), Elmont Director of Pupil Personnel and Special Education Stephanie Muller (fifth, right) and Assistant Director of PPS Helisse Palmore (second, right).
Photos courtesy of Elmont School District
