Number of Participants: 14
Hours Donated: 10
Value of Time Served: $4,871
Event Type: Veterans & Military Families
Activity: Gymnastics
School: Centereach High School
Date: November 6, 2025
Location:
Middle Country Central School District
Brookhaven, NY
USA
About:
The Middle Country Gymnastics team recently took time away from training to honor those who have served our country. In recognition of the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Armed Forces, the athletes wrote heartfelt cards and messages to veterans, expressing their gratitude for the service and sacrifice of those who have protected our freedoms. This meaningful gesture reminded everyone that gratitude and respect are powerful ways to give back and that leadership extends far beyond the gym.
That same spirit of service was reflected across Suffolk County as all 20 varsity gymnastics teams united for the annual Coaches Invitational Meet, hosted by the Suffolk County Gymnastics Coaches Association. Designed for gymnasts who do not qualify for the state meet, this special event has grown into a countywide tradition of giving. Each year, teams join forces to raise funds for a shared cause, showing that sportsmanship and compassion go hand in hand.
This year, the Suffolk County gymnastics community chose to support the Wounded Warrior Project, honoring and assisting veterans who have made great sacrifices for our nation. Athletes dressed in red, white, and blue as they competed, and proceeds from donations, concession sales, and 50/50 raffles were directed to support the organization’s mission.
In past years, the Invitational has raised between $3,000 and $5,000 annually for causes such as the Wisconsin families who lost a child in a car crash and the families of the Farmingdale marching band. These collective efforts exemplify the compassion, unity, and leadership that define Suffolk County’s gymnastics community.
Middle Country has also been active throughout the year, participating in multiple fundraisers and continuing their strong tradition of service and community involvement.
Under the leadership of Michelle Valentino, President of the Suffolk County Gymnastics Coaches Association, these initiatives highlight how student-athletes across the county are using their platforms to make a meaningful impact—on the mat, in their schools, and throughout their communities.
