Number of Participants: 26
Hours Donated: 4
Value of Time Served: $879
Event Amount Raised: $1,500
Event Type: Health & Medicine
Sport: Girls Volleyball
School: Connetquot High School
Date: October 5, 2023
Location:
Connetquot High School
7th Street, Bohemia
NY
About:
Thank you for everyone who came and supported our Dezy Strong Fundraiser! We were able to raise 1,500$ for this amazing foundation.
Matthew “Dezy” DiStefano was a Sachem North alumni, teacher and coach whose family lives in the Connetquot School District. In February of 2019 he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Kidney Cancer, and in Fall of 2019 Connetquot Girls Volleyball held their first Dezy Strong Match.
The Dezy Strong Match has become an annual tradition to help raise money and bring awareness to the Dezy Strong Foundation. “We Get To” is Dezy’s mantra, that helps build positivity with a focus on appreciation and gratitude every day.
This mantra holds a special place in our hearts and it is applied to every aspect of our lives.
Throughout the course of Dezy’s 11-month battle with cancer, he had the courage to put his message first, speaking to and influencing as many people as possible.
Thank you to everyone that allowed us to spread his message.
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The Connetquot High School girls volleyball team faced off against Sachem High School North during their annual Dezy Strong match. Through concessions, contests and a raffle, the event raised $1,500 for the Dezy Strong Foundation.
Matthew “Dezy” DiStefano was a Sachem High School North alumni, teacher and coach whose family lives in the Connetquot Central School District. In February 2018, Dezy was diagnosed with stage four kidney cancer. Since that time, he dedicated himself to conquering the disease, while at the same time, creating the Dezy Strong Foundation to help support others affected by cancer. In fall 2019, the Connetquot girls volleyball team held their first Dezy Strong match in support.
The Dezy Strong match has become an annual tradition to help raise money and bring awareness to the Dezy Strong Foundation’s mission. Dezy created the foundation to provide the opportunity for individuals who are fighting cancer to have access to support that affects a positive mental well-being.
While Dezy passed away in January 2020, his message lives on. His mantra of, “We get to” helps build positivity with a focus on gratitude in everyday life. His mentality of “strong mind, strong body” continues to emphasize the importance of a positive mindset and a healthy approach to living for everyone in the Connetquot and Sachem school communities.
Photo caption: The Connetquot High School girls volleyball team raised $1,500 during their game against Sachem High School North in support of the Dezy Strong Foundation.
Photo courtesy of Connetquot Central School District