Number of Participants: 40
Hours Donated: 10
Value of Time Served: $3,380
Event Amount Raised: $6,000
Event Type: Civic & Community
Sport: Girls Lacrosse
School: Miller Place High School
Date: May 13, 2024
Location:
Miller Place High School
Memorial Drive, Miller Place
NY
About:
In memory of Matt LoNigro, a beloved figure in the Miller Place community renowned for his dedication to youth sports, particularly lacrosse, a special game was organized. Matt, who tragically passed away unexpectedly last May, left behind a legacy of advocacy and support for young athletes.
As a former head of the Youth Lacrosse program for both boys and girls, as well as the President of the Athletic Booster Club, Matt’s impact reverberated throughout the community. His eldest child, Matthew Jr., graduated from Miller Place in 2021, while his youngest, Abigail, is currently a junior at MPHS.
The game, a collaborative effort between Matt’s family and the Girls Lacrosse program, aimed to pay homage to his enduring commitment to sports in the Miller Place community. Beyond honoring Matt’s memory, the event also served as a fundraiser, with proceeds directed towards Matt’s other passion, Hope House Ministries, now known as Matt’s House in his honor, and a lacrosse scholarship fund.
This event stands as a testament to Matt’s profound influence and the lasting impact he made on the lives of countless young athletes in Miller Place.
The girls and their families, along with several families from Smithtown West Girls Lacrosse, helped raise money by donating items and creating baskets to be raffled off. They worked together to raise awareness by wearing special commemorative t-shirts, utilizing social media to spread the word and encourage attendance at the game. All of the girls on our JV and Varsity teams contributed, totaling about 40 girls in participation.
