Dimes for Dezy raises money for cancer patients

The annual Dimes for Dezy fundraiser held at Cherokee Street Elementary School in the Connetquot Central School District raised a total of $1,279 for those struggling with cancer. 

The Dezy Strong Foundation is a nonprofit organization established by Matthew “Dezy” DiStefano, who was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer in February 2019 and passed away in January 2020. Dezy was a Sachem High School North alumnus, teacher and coach whose family lives in the Connetquot Central School District. 

This year, to promote a little friendly competition and motivation, Cherokee Street used a “house system” to collect donations. Each student and staff member were placed in a house to promote a sense of community across grade levels. The houses included “unity,” “dreamers,” “kindness,” “friendship,” “uplifters” and “courage.” 

With the help of faculty members Mrs. Passero and Mrs. Campanella, Dezy’s son, Giovanni DiStefano, a student at Cherokee Street Elementary, ran the fundraiser to continue the work of his father. 

Dezy’s mantra of, “we get to” lives on in the school building and beyond, helping to build positivity with a focus on gratitude in everyday life. Each year on Dezy Day, students watch a video, explaining the meaning of the day, and fill out paper ribbons, completing the phrase, “we get to.” This officially kicks off the two-week fundraiser run by Giovanni DiStefano and Mrs. Campanella. 

 

Photo Captions: 

1: From left, Matteo Triolo, Maxwell Siegel, Giovanni DiStefano, Harlow Riede and Daniella Meltzer wore their Dezy Strong apparel while raising money for Dimes for Dezy. 

2: Cherokee Street Elementary students Harlow Riede and Daniella Meltzer sorted their donations into their respective “houses.” 

3: With the help of Mrs. Campanella, left, and Mrs. Passero, right, Giovanni DiStefano followed in his father’s footsteps, helping to raise money for the Dezy Strong Foundation. 

 

Photo courtesy of Connetquot Central School District