Bellmore-Merrick schools rally around ‘Be a Good Cookie’ Campaign

The spirit and mission of the Be a Good Cookie campaign has taken off in a grass roots approach across the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District.

This community endeavor honors the memory of Richie Capizzi — father of students at Merrick Avenue Middle School and Sanford H. Calhoun High School — and raises money and awareness for a cause that was close to his heart, pediatric cancer. All proceeds from fundraising and sales benefit the organization, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, in hopes that the community can raise enough money to fully fund a clinical trial research grant in Capizzi’s memory. 

Community and school volunteers at Merrick Avenue set up a fundraising booth after school on Sept. 15.

“It has been truly inspiring to see an entire community honor the life of Mr. Capizzi by learning from his passion, dedication and philanthropy, and dedicating their efforts to support those battling pediatric cancer,” said Merrick Avenue Middle School Principal Katelyn Dunn. “It says so much about his legacy, but also about the beauty and power of this community.”  

The Calhoun High School Key Club organized a cookie sale after school on Sept. 15 as well. 

“When Key Club members are provided with community service opportunities it allows them to see firsthand just how much this can make a difference in the lives of others,” explained Melissa Stabile, a special education teacher and Key Club adviser. 

Through the sale of cookies today they raised $452. Their next cookie sale is planned for Sept. 29.

“It’s always a wonderful thing when a community joins together to support a good cause,” added Calhoun Principal Nicole Hollings. “This one is close to our hearts, and it has been great to see the support of so many.”

To learn more about the Be a Good Cookie campaign, click here https://my.beagoodcookie.org/campaign/be-a-good-cookie-merrick/c499667.

 

Photo captions:

1. Calhoun junior Sophia Jones and junior/Key Club President Camryn Zubiria.
2. Sam Cohen donated money to the Be a Good Cookie campaign after school at Calhoun on Sept. 15 as Key Club members Jailyann (JJ) Rilano, Sophia Jones, Camryn Zubiria and Brooke Mintzer mind the booth.
3. Key Club member Amelia Raspanti (right) sold cookies at the Calhoun booth.
4. Community volunteer Anne Ruvolo, Key Club adviser Melissa Stabile, Amelia Raspanti and Hannah Islas worked at another booth during the fundraising effort at Calhoun on Sept. 15.
5. Community and school volunteers at Merrick Avenue set up a fundraising booth after school on Sept. 15.
6. The Merrick Avenue school community showed support for the Sept. 15 Be a Good Cookie fundraiser.

 

Photos courtesy of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District