We will post occasional pieces about community service by our Section XI schools and teams! To learn more, go to Team Up 4 Community!
On Saturday, September 29, 2018, the Boys and Girls varsity soccer teams hosted a fundraiser for the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation. This organization was chosen because of the support they continue to demonstrate to the families of our fallen heroes. This past year the Tunnel to Towers Foundation paid off the mortgages of two servicemen from the Air National Guard 106th Rescue Wing in Westhampton who lost their lives defending our freedom: Tech. Sgt. Dashan Briggs of Port Jefferson Station and FDNY Lt. Christopher Raguso of Commack. Because of the Foundation, the wives and children of these heroes will have one less thing to worry about. They can continue to live in their homes without having the burden of paying a mortgage. READ MORE!
On September 23, 2018, Lindenhurst Union Free School District athletic teams, coaches, administrators and community members, along with local and state politicians, joined members of the Renna family at the 12th annual Christina Renna Foundation Walk-A-Thon and Blood Drive held at Lindenhurst Middle School.
Christina, a former student of the Lindenhurst School District, was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer, and passed away in 2007. READ MORE!
The Elwood-John Glenn Soccer Program is dedicating this upcoming 2018 season in honor of former player and American hero, MSgt Christopher Raguso (class of 1997).
Chris, a member of the Air National Guard’s 106th Air Rescue Wing, was one of seven servicemen that made the ultimate sacrifice when their helicopter went down on March 15th during a combat mission in Western Iraq while supporting coalition forces in Operation Inherent Resolve, the war against ISIS. Chris was a treasured father, husband, son, and brother, as well as a 6-time decorated FDNY Lieutenant during his 13-year career at Engine 249/Ladder 113 in Brooklyn and Engine 302/Ladder 155 in Queens. Lt Chris was also a 20-year volunteer with the Commack Fire Department, who dedicated his life to helping others. READ MORE!
After practice on Monday, Aug. 27, members of the Smithtown East and West high school boys’ cross country team, led by coaches Peter Schieck and Mark Jackett, headed down to the Island Harvest farm in Brentwood to volunteer for a couple of hours.
Island Harvest is the largest hunger relief organization on Long Island, serving more than 300,000 Long Islanders annually, including adults, children, families, seniors, and veterans, through their network of approximately 570 food pantries, soup kitchens, and other emergency programs.
The boys learned about Island Harvest from staff member Hillary Hess, and then pulled weeds in between the rows of vegetables, as well as harvesting some zucchini and eggplant. It was a hot day, but the boys learned a lot and had fun serving their fellow Long Islanders in need!