Dancing Donations

In the Merrick School District, Norman J. Levy Lakeside School student council held a Dance-A-Thon, raising more than $4,000 for local charities.

Prior to the event, fourth-, fifth-and sixth-grade students collected donations from family, friends and neighbors throughout the month of February for Sunrise Day Camp and the Making It Happen Foundation. Sunrise Day Camp is a Long Island summer camp that provides children with cancer and their siblings free of charge. The second charity, Making It Happen Foundation, was founded by the family of NFL player Michael Oher to promote awareness, provide hope and improve the lives of children living in foster care.

Wearing their Dance-A-Thon shirts designed by the fifth-grade class, students gathered in the Lion’s Den ready to dance the evening away and increase the donations for their charities. Music by DJ Mark from Hart to Hart and dancers motivated students throughout the night to continue dancing with their friends. By the end of the event, with the support of all the students, teachers, administration and community, Lakeside’s student council raised $4,665 for these two organizations.

Photo Captions:

Fifth-graders Olivia Rinaldi and Jack Lerner were excited to kick off the Levy Lakeside Dance-A-Thon.
Fifth-grader Amanda Ball signed fellow fifth-grader Ally Greenberg’s shirt.
Sixth-grader Ethan Becker signed fellow sixth-grader Sam Pollack’s shirt.
Fourth-graders Sharon Polo, Danielle Lawrence, Jaden Joby and Jamie Pellegrino jumped for joy to celebrate the Dance-A-Ton.
Excitement was in the air for Levy Lakeside students as they celebrated their charitable efforts.
Students danced to the beat during the Levy-Lakeside Dance-A-Thon, which raised more than $4,000 for charity.

Photos courtesy of the Merrick School District