East Islip High School’s varsity softball team again participated in the annual Christmas Magic service project on Dec. 1, with a special twist. For this year’s shopping spree, East Islip coaches Jason McGowan and Mike Montouri invited Bayport-Blue Point High School varsity softball coach Nicholle Marchetta and her team to join the EI students at Target in Sayville to shop for 25 disadvantaged youths from Bellport’s Outreach Outpatient Services.
The Bellport program helps individuals struggling with alcohol and drug abuse disorders, customizing an age-appropriate, self-help model for the individual and involving family members in the process to improve the chances of a lifelong recovery.
“It was a great experience,” McGowan said. “We’ve been doing this for 12 years with East Islip, and my daughter Jayde plays for Bayport-Blue Point and has been participating in the Christmas Magic program since she was 7 years old, so I thought it would be nice to Jayde and her Bayport-Blue Point teammates to help spread some Christmas magic for those in need during the holiday season.”
The high school shoppers were also joined by McGowan’s younger daughter Stella and Marchetta’s son AJ.
“Shopping for these kids made me realize that everyone’s going through their own things, and we all have to pick each other up,” Jayde McGowan said. “I was extremely lucky to take part in this program and fulfill the kids’ wishes.”
“I love this shopping tradition and I look forward to it,” East Islip student Lexi Kneisel said. “It gives our team a way to bond off the field, and it feels great knowing that we are the reason those kids have something to open on Christmas morning.”
“It’s always an honor to be able to help families in need during the holiday season,” East Islip student Kayla Varga said. “It’s so great to know these kids will wake up happy on Christmas morning and that our actions make a difference in our community.”
“During the holiday season it’s very easy to get caught up in your own wants and needs, so it feels good to be able to give back to the people who will appreciate it,” East Islip student Reagan O’Hara said.
IMG_6979: The varsity softball teams from East Islip and Bayport-Blue Point high schools joined forces for this year’s Christmas Magic shopping service project on Dec. 1.
Photos courtesy of East Islip School District
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