Number of Participants: 1
Hours Donated: 20
Value of Time Served: $169
Event Amount Raised: $1,986
Event Type: Children & Youth
Sport: Cross Country Running
Date: January 1, 2018
Location:
Connetquot High School
7th Street, Bohemia
NY
About:
Connetquot High School senior Marina Duszak continues to assist the Connetquot community with her altruistic efforts. This year, Marina took it upon herself to spearhead a fundraiser with the help of the high school students and staff, and on Dec. 22, she presented a check in the amount of $1,986 to Alexis Alpert, community relations coordinator for the Make-A-Wish foundation.
Marina has a passion for giving to others and this December she coordinated a well-received fundraiser to benefit Make-A-Wish, a national organization with a vision of granting the wish of children diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition.
Through a “wish” ornament drive, Marina inspired her peers and high school staff to purchase paper ornaments for their homes, trees, offices and classrooms. The ornaments were sold for a $1 each. Additionally, Marina collected more than 2,000 letters to Santa through Make-A-Wish and delivered them to the local Macy’s department store.
A Connetquot High School senior, Marina is a member of the cross-country team, is the Student Government president, ranks in the top 10 percent of her class, and has survived cancer. Diagnosed with leukemia in her freshman year, Marina endured almost three years of chemotherapy. In her junior year, the side effects of the medication became less debilitating, allowing her to rejoin the cross-country team, and spend time paying forward good deeds toward her community.
Photo caption: Connetquot High School senior Marina Duszak recently spearheaded a fundraiser, which collected $1,986 to be donated toward the Make-A-Wish foundation. She is pictured with Santa Claus just before donating the check to the organization.
Photo courtesy of the Connetquot Central School District/Joe Maniaci