CLOSE
Fundraiser

by -
0 1128
Photo caption The Daniel Gale Foundation, the philanthropic division of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty, a leader in luxury real estate, is collecting new and gently used business attire in support of its 25th annual clothing drive for Dress for Success. Donations can be dropped off  at Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty offices.  Pictured here (l-r), real estate advisors Lowell Ackerman, Veranika Johnston and Jessica Crowley.

The Daniel Gale Foundation, the philanthropic division of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty, has announced the launch of its 25th annual clothing drive in support of Dress for Success.

From now through the end of May, all 29 Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty offices from Brooklyn and Queens to the Hamptons will be collecting new or gently used professional clothing and accessories to help local women dress for success—literally. Items being accepted include dress and pant suits and separates, blouses, shoes, coats, handbags, and other business-appropriate attire. All donations will benefit Dress for Success, which supports unemployed and underemployed women by providing professional attire and tools to help them succeed in their job search and career development.

“Whether it’s the first impression a property or a person makes, no one understands the power of presentation like a real estate agent,” said Deirdre O’Connell, Chief Executive Officer of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty. “But this drive is about so much more than clothes—it’s about helping women feel seen, valued, and equipped to take the next step in their careers and lives.”

Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty’s partnership with Dress for Success began in 2000, when agents and employees were first invited to participate in a company-wide clothing collection. Since then, the initiative has become a cherished annual tradition, with the company donating truckloads of high-quality business attire that has supported countless women on their journeys to economic independence and personal empowerment.

This year’s drive continues the legacy of service that is a hallmark of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty’s culture—supporting not only the communities in which its agents work but also those striving to build better futures for themselves and their families.

Community members are invited to join the effort by dropping off donations at a Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty office. To find the nearest location, visit www.danielgale.com/locations.

 

 

by -
0 729

Island Harvest Food Bank, the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), and the United States Postal Service (USPS) are once again in a united front for the annual Stamp Out Hunger® food drive, the nation’s most extensive single-day food collection campaign on Saturday, May 10.

At a recent kickoff rally at Island Harvest’s Melville headquarters before a group of postal union workers, corporate sponsors, and food bank staff and supporters, Samantha Morales, founder of Branches Long Island, a Middle Island-based social services organization that helps people in need, relayed a story about a first-time client coming in for food assistance.

“A woman named Maria came in holding a baby in one arm and a grocery list in the other. Her husband had been laid off, and their savings were completely gone. She looked exhausted yet determined and said, ‘I never thought I’d need help like this, but my baby needs to eat.’” Ms. Morales said that because of food donations from efforts like Stamp Out Hunger, Maria wasn’t turned away in her time of need, and she was given fresh produce, canned goods, and formula for her baby. As Maria left, she hugged a volunteer, broke down and said, “You gave me a lifeline today.” In concluding her remarks, Ms. Morales stated, “Every can, every box and every bag collected during this campaign helps real people right here on Long Island.”

According to Randi Shubin Dresner, president & CEO of Island Harvest, the need for food assistance on Long Island has never been greater.

“The need among Long Island families is alarming, making your contribution to Stamp Out Hunger more important than ever,” said Shubin Dresner. She highlights that the organization distributed a record 18.3 million pounds of food last year and is forecasted to distribute 20 million pounds this year.

“With increased costs at the grocery store, coupled with the region’s high cost of living and continued economic uncertainty, more Long Islanders urgently need supplemental food support. We are calling on the responsibility and generosity of all Long Islanders to donate what they can by leaving nonperishable food items in a bag next to your mailbox before the regularly scheduled mail delivery on Saturday, May 10 for your letter carrier to pick up and help ensure it gets onto the tables of our Long Island neighbors in need,” she added.

Nonperishable food includes canned goods, cereal, pasta, rice, boxed juices, and shelf-stable milk (no prepared food or food or juices in glass containers). In addition, personal care items such as toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, and disposable diapers are gratefully accepted. All donations collected will help replenish Island Harvest’s network of community-based food pantries, soup kitchens and other emergency feeding programs in communities in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

“Every donation, no matter the size, will help countless Long Islanders who may be struggling to put food on their tables — even a can of soup can be a much-needed meal for people who are hungry,” added Ms. Shubin Dresner, “We’ve always been touched by the generosity of Long Islanders to help their neighbors in need, and we are confident that they will once again step up and support this year’s Stamp Out Hunger food drive.”

“The National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 6000 and the United States Postal Service are excited to partner with Island Harvest again this year for your 33rd annual Stamp Out Hunger food collection,” said Tom Siesto, Executive Vice President of NALC Branch 6000. “The members of Branch 6000 and the employees of the United States Postal Service often see firsthand the widespread issue of food insecurity on Long Island and are thrilled to take part in this very important campaign and give back to the local communities they serve.”

Since its inception in 1993, the Stamp Out Hunger food drive, held on the second Saturday in May, has collected approximately 1.9 billion pounds of food for those in need across the United States. Input from food banks and pantries suggested that late spring would be the best time because most food banks start running out of the donations received during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays by that point in the year, according to the NALC.

Last year, generous Long Islanders donated 382,175 pounds of food, supplementing 577,000 meals. Island Harvest hopes to exceed 500,000 pounds of food during this year’s Stamp Out Hunger food collection campaign.

This year’s Stamp Out Hunger collection campaign on Long Island is generously supported by presenting sponsor National Grid (lead sponsor), JPMorganChase, Dime Community Bank, FourLeaf Federal Credit Union, IPRO Healthcare, Leviton, M&T Bank, Nonna’s Garden, Petro Home Services, and Stop & Shop.

by -
0 1939
1 of 17
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Sophie Reed, senior second baseman, hit a grand slam homer. Photo by StevenZaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Signs dedicated to Gabby Petito adorned the grounds near the Ward Melville softball field. Photo by Steven Zaitz

By Steven Zaitz

The Ward Melville softball team held their 5th annual charity game on May 3 for the benefit of the Gabby Petito Foundation and to bring awareness to domestic abuse.

For the past five seasons, the team has chosen a different charity to support and, for 2025, the team selected the Gabby Petito Foundation. 

Petito, who attended Bayport-Blue Point High School, was 22 years old when she was murdered by her fiancé in 2021 during a cross-country road trip. The foundation’s mission is to address the needs of organizations that support locating missing persons and to provide aid to organizations that assist victims of domestic violence situations through education, awareness and prevention strategies.

Purple balloons, bunting and petals of lilac and lavender festooned the grounds near the softball field and, although it was only 10 o’clock in the morning, the strengthening whiff of fire-grilled hot dogs tantalized the taste buds. 

Posters of Petito stood on easels near the backstop and an ice sculpture rested on a purple-and-pink draped table that was protected from the morning sun by a canvas tent. Two banners devoted to Petito and her namesake organization hung on the centerfield fence. 

Dana Powell, mom of senior star player Emerson Powell, who is currently on the injured list, organized much of this event, which has raised more than $10,000 so far. 

“We felt it would be great because this is a team of young ladies to bring awareness to domestic abuse and teach them — and the community — that it does start young. We want everyone to look for the signs,” said Powell, who is the head of the team’s booster club. “The Gabby Petito Foundation is doing amazing things to protect not just young women but also young men and missing persons.”

Members of Petito’s family participated in the pregame service and entered the field through the third-base fence, passing through a welcoming line of players holding their bats in an overhead V formation. The procession was led by Petito’s grandmother, Mary Wickman, and the family of about 10, who were all greeted by warm applause as they took their place near the middle of the diamond. Ward Melville head softball coach Joe Burger addressed the crowd near the third-base bleachers.

“There are times when our athletes need more than coaching,” Burger told the crowd. “They need to be lifted up, be seen, heard and supported. When the pressure of life and the game becomes too heavy, they need to know that we are standing right beside them and that we believe in them.”

Ward Melville players, coaches and most of the parents wore special purple shirts for this game that promoted the event on the front of the shirt and Gabby Petito Foundation. On the back, the phrase Love Doesn’t Hurt was written inside a heart-shaped border. Bellport donned similar shirts, but theirs were mostly white with purple trim. 

Lady Patriots players Isabella Parente, Sara Kropp, Cate Scolaro and Kaitlyn Morales spoke to the crowd about how much they have learned about the many forms of domestic abuse and what can be done to help. 

“I have learned that there are many resources and support available,” said Scolaro, who is an 11th grader. “Hotlines, shelters, counseling services and legal assistance are some of these and it is important to know that you are never alone and there is always help to escape the cycle of abuse and rebuild a safe life.” 

Mary Wickman closed the oratorical portion of the ceremony with a heartfelt thank you to the team, the school and the Three Village community. Petito’s cousin, Bubba Wickman, a middle schooler in the Middle Country Central School District and a grandchild of Mary, threw out the ceremonial first pitch to Patriots catcher Haley Mauser, as last-minute hugs were shared on and around the field up until the very last moments before the umpire shouted “Play Ball.” During this time, the team presented Mary Wickman with a bright yellow, glass-encased softball signed by every member of the team, along with a bouquet of pink and white flowers. As she posed for photos and hugged each player, Wickman was awash with emotion.

“Being a team isn’t just about what happens on the field, it’s about fighting for something bigger,” said Mary Wickman. “And these young women have done just that. To the coaches and the players and the school and the community, I say thank you for taking the time, energy as a force for good. For the love of Gabby, keep leading, keep caring and using your voice to make a difference.”

On the field the Lady Patriots certainly made a difference too, as they beat Bellport by a score of 17-5. Senior second baseman Sophie Reed hit a grand-slam home run in the first inning and Ward Melville raced out to a 7-0 lead after just one inning. Starting pitcher Makenna Steinberg struck out 10 Bellport batters for the win.

by -
0 923
Eric Hurnyak and other riders on the North Shore Rail Trail heading to Greenport. Photo by Bill Landon

By Bill Landon

For Eric Hurnyak, the battle with glioblastoma was a personal one when he lost his mom, Barbara Johnson Hurnyak, to this insidious disease in March. The Sound Beach resident wanted to raise awareness by doing what he did when he was his mother’s primary caregiver for the better part of two years: by riding his bike to clear his head. 

The May 4 fundraising event started from the Stony Brook Village Center and took the North Shore Rail Trail from Port Jefferson to Wading River, which marked the 20-mile mark with 35 miles to go until Greenport.

“My mother wanted to find a clinical trial or advanced research program, but her case was so far advanced there weren’t a lot of options,” Hurnyak said. “So, after two years it’s hard to give up the fight. So raising money to further the research into this dreaded disease is what I’ve turned to, as we’ve passed the six-thousand-dollar mark as of yesterday morning.”

The balance of the ride included stops at On the Docks in Aquebogue and the Love Lane Kitchen in Mattituck before finishing at Andy’s restaurant on Front Street in Greenport.

Proceeds benefit the Glioblastoma Research Organization, For more information visit https://www.gbmresearch.org/.

by -
0 759
1 of 10
A scene from the 15th annual Mt. Sinai Fire Department’s Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 15th annual Mt. Sinai Fire Department’s Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Photo by Bill Landon
COPYRIGHT BILL LANDON
A scene from the 15th annual Mt. Sinai Fire Department’s Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 15th annual Mt. Sinai Fire Department’s Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 15th annual Mt. Sinai Fire Department’s Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 15th annual Mt. Sinai Fire Department’s Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 15th annual Mt. Sinai Fire Department’s Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 15th annual Mt. Sinai Fire Department’s Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 15th annual Mt. Sinai Fire Department’s Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Photo by Bill Landon

By Bill Landon

The Mt. Sinai Fire Department held its 15th annual Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at Company 1 on Mt. Sinai Coram Road on April 13.  It was a robust turnout with raffles silent auctions and plenty of food where the kids had their picture taken with the Easter Bunny. No one left hungry.

— Photos by Bill Landon

by -
0 643
This year’s distinguished honoree is Julia Poli Pecora.

The Daniel Gale Foundation, the philanthropic division of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty, will be holding its Third Annual Outing on Monday, June 9 at the Huntington Country Club. The outing will offer a day of golf, tennis, and pickleball in support of the Foundation’s mission to benefit charitable causes across Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, the North Fork and the Hamptons. Last year’s event achieved 110 percent of its goal, with more than $110,000 earmarked for multiple Long Island charitable organizations. 

This year’s distinguished honoree is Julia Poli Pecora, a Huntington native and Vice President of Partnerships at UBS Arena and the New York Islanders. Now in her sixth season with the team, Julia has played a pivotal role in the franchise, leading numerous revenue generating sales efforts. Julia’s work, which was pivotal to the successful opening of UBS Arena in November of 2021, continues to greatly benefit the organization. Most notably, Julia recently secured a long-term partnership with JetBlue Airways. 

A seasoned sports industry executive with 17 years of experience, Julia has held key roles  as an executive with the National Football League, Under Armour, and FOX Sports prior to joining the NY Islanders. 

“With heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors and attendees who made our first two events a success, we anticipate another opportunity to make a meaningful impact on our neighbors in need,” said Deirdre O’Connell, Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty Chief Executive Officer and President of the Daniel Gale Foundation. “Our commitment remains steadfast – to support the communities we serve across Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island.” 

Co-chairing this year’s event for the Daniel Gale Foundation are two of its board members, Melissa Stark, Sales Manager for Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty’s Cold Spring Harbor, Huntington and Northport offices and Abby Sheeline, Senior Media & Communications Strategist in the corporate office. 

To register for or to sponsor the outing please visit 3rd Annual Daniel Gale Foundation Golf Outing.  

About the Daniel Gale Foundation

The Daniel Gale Foundation was established in 2022 as part of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty’s celebration of its centennial year. Charitable donations and community outreach have been integral to the fabric of the Daniel Gale organization throughout its history through donations totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars and hundreds of volunteer hours.

As its sphere of influence has grown, so has the reach of its community giveback. The Foundation was formed to consolidate and organize the considerable charitable giving and outreach efforts of the organization’s management, staff and real estate advisors to make an even greater impact. In the three years since its formation, the Foundation has donated the equivalent of 150,000 meals to Island Harvest and City Harvest food banks during Hunger Action Month®, supported Pink Aid in its fight against breast cancer, and raised more than $300,000 for local charitable organizations from Brooklyn to the North Fork and the Hamptons.

To learn more about the Daniel Gale Foundation or make a donation, please visit www.danielgalefoundation.org.

 

by -
0 880
1 of 5
Shark Tank Showdown on April 1. Photo courtesy of The People's Arc of Suffolk
Shark Tank Showdown on April 1. Photo courtesy of The People's Arc of Suffolk
Shark Tank Showdown on April 1. Photo courtesy of The People's Arc of Suffolk
Shark Tank Showdown on April 1. Photo courtesy of The People's Arc of Suffolk
Shark Tank Showdown on April 1. Photo courtesy of The People's Arc of Suffolk

People’s Arc of Suffolk and Rise Life Services co-hosted an April Fool’s Day “Shark Tank Showdown” fundraiser on April 1 with six of its fundraisers taking a dive into the shark tank at the Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead to raise funds for the two non-profit agencies. The event raised more than $60,000 for the two organizations.

The event was emceed by News 12 Long Island anchor Jenn Seelig and meteorologist Alex Calamia.

“People may have thought this was an April Fool’s Prank, but it’s no joke. People are going in,” said John McGuigan, CEO of People’s Arc of Suffolk. “We have 250 people that have come together to raise critical funds to support people with disabilities on Long Island and we’re so grateful.”

Divers suited up and entered a shark cage in pairs and were lowered into in the giant shark tank at the aquarium, accompanied by a dive master. Each duo spent about five minutes underwater, coming up close and personal with the sharks and other fish in the massive tank.

The dives were broadcast onto large screens throughout the aquarium for dinner-goers to watch.

People’s Arc, which provides services for intellectually and developmentally disabled Long Islanders, invited the 12 people who are fundraising for the event to create social media videos that were shot entirely by People’s Arc TV program participants. They operated the cameras, asked the questions and will edit the video for posting online.

The “Shark Tank Showdown” is a unique fundraising event where two individuals who raise the most and least funds will enter the 120,000-gallon shark tank at the Riverhead Aquarium for a face-to-face swim with sand tiger and nurse sharks, and a variety of exotic fish. This thrilling experience aims to raise awareness and support for programs benefiting children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

by -
0 815
You are are cordially invited to Dorothy's wedding! Photo courtesy of Keith Dougherty

By Tara Mae

Theatre Three gives the public an opportunity to say “Thank you for being a friend,” with The Golden Girls Gone Wild: A Murder Mystery at Dorothy’s Wedding & Brunch on Sunday, April 13, at 11 a.m.

A benefit for Theatre Three, this interactive experience on its Second Stage is based on characters from The Golden Girls (1985-1992), a television comedy series about four previously married women: Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Dorothy’s mother, Sophia, who share a Miami home, hardships, and happiness as they navigate life and love together.

In this installation, Dorothy is about to get remarried, but seeing the bride before the ceremony proves to be fatally bad luck for the groom.

Rather than spectators of this unfolding performance, attendees are cast as wedding guests. While patrons partake of a menu provided by Theatre Three that includes mimosas, Bloody Marys, cinnamon French toast casserole, sausage-egg-and-cheese casserole, yogurt, fruit parfaits, cakes and cookies, festivities take a fun, funereal turn when the groom meets a suspicious end.

Now tasked with finding the murderer, participants get clue packets to help Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia solve the crime. Ballots are also supplied so people can write down who they think the murderer is and why. Hilarity and hijinks ensue as they work together on the whodunit.

“I’m excited to have our audience members—many of whom are longtime subscribers and friends of the theater—actively involved in the theatrical experience. It’s also a great opportunity to break the fourth wall in a way that’s usually not possible,” Theatre Three’s Artistic Associate/Director of Development Douglas Quattrock said. 

Instead of actors and audience, cast and congregants are collaborators in amateur sleuthing.

The show is the brainchild of writer/director/producer Keith Dougherty. Proprietor of Murder Mystery Manhattan, he specializes in writing unauthorized parodies that spoof popular TV shows and film, as well as spoofs of cult classic films and TV shows. This is his first time working with Theatre Three. 

“Personally, I like writing all the Golden Girls scripts because not only are the main characters iconic, but the show was so ahead of its time with many of the topics they tackled that are still relevant today,” Doughtery said. 

The Golden Girls Gone Wild features Dougherty as Dorothy Soreback; Laurel Riley Brown as Rose Nylon; Teri Monahan as Blanche Devilho; Amanda Baumler as Sophia Barilla; and Timothy Scott Harris in a dual role as Phil and Pat McCrotch.

“One of our longtime patrons had seen them perform before, and when she attended our previous murder mystery event, she recommended them to me,” Quattrock said. 

This partnership is part of Theatre Three’s ongoing creative effort to raise money for the arts and simultaneously regale its supporters. Unlike many previous fundraisers, which have been project oriented, this production is designed to support the theater as a whole.

“While we typically allocate fundraisers to specific causes, this one will support all of Theatre Three’s ongoing programs. We wanted to ‘spread the wealth,’ so to speak,” Quattrock said. “There are many worthwhile causes, and we felt that supporting all of them would be particularly helpful at this time.” 

Showcasing The Golden Girls Gone Wild for such an endeavor is a worthy undertaking to Dougherty, melding entertainment with outreach. “Murder Mystery Manhattan always likes to give back to the community and is happy to perform for a good cause,” he said. “We love what we do and appreciate the audiences and venues whose support allows us to continue to do what we love.”

—————————————–

Tickets are $125 each and includes brunch. The show runs approximately three hours. All proceeds benefit Theatre Three, located at 412 Main Street, Port Jefferson. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com. 

by -
0 577
Stony Brook University will hold its 7th annual Giving Day on March 26.

Day Dedicated to Philanthropic Giving from Inside and Outside the University Community

On Wednesday, March 26, Stony Brook University is hosting its seventh annual Giving Day. This 24-hour crowdfunding event brings together alumni, friends, patients, parents, faculty, staff and students to support causes close to their hearts in an effort to help Stony Brook “Be Unstoppable.”

More than 130 different academic units, clubs, athletic teams, clinical departments, student enrichment programs, and other initiatives across the Stony Brook community will be positively impacted on Giving Day. A series of special matching gifts and participation challenges will multiply the impact of individuals’ donations. To inspire participation, all gifts made will be tracked in real-time on givingday.stonybrook.edu.

The university looks to surpass previous years’ results, with a goal of 3,500 unique gifts. Last year, Giving Day generated $1.6 million from 3,800 gifts. Donations have totaled $3.8 million dollars since the inaugural Giving Day in 2019. Every year, about 20% of gifts come from first-time donors.

“Giving Day is an exciting opportunity for the Stony Brook community to step forward and support the university in a big way. Every year, I am inspired by our community’s engagement, not just by their generous philanthropic contributions but also by the motivation behind their philanthropy,” said Scott Barrett, interim vice president for advancement.

“It’s remarkable to see how many people are driven by the positive impact they can make for our current students and faculty — and, frankly, for generations to come. I look forward to celebrating that impact again this year,” he said.

For those seeking to make social media postings regarding Giving Day, the hashtags for this year’s Giving Day are #SBUGivingDay and #BeUnstoppable.

For more information, visit givingday.stonybrook.edu.

 

by -
0 526
Parker Hutchinson. Photo courtesy the Hutchinson family

By Joshua Kim

If you want to catch a glimpse of Parker Hutchinson’s fresh, cleanly faded, cut-in-Massapequa hair, you’ll have to act fast. On  St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, with about 12 others, 11-year-old Parker is going to shave off his hair in the auditorium of Port Jefferson High School. 

Parker Hutchinson with his parents

The shaving is part of a fundraising event for St. Baldrick’s Foundation, which was brought to Port Jefferson School District by childhood cancer survivor and Port Jefferson High School senior Kyle Martin. Melissa Martin, Kyle’s mother as well as Parker’s kindergarten teacher, described the foundation as “an organization that raises money to help fund children’s cancer research. They try to help children in the area where the money is raised.” 

Kyle, who plans to attend SUNY Geneseo in the fall, hopes to leave Port Jeff’s St. Baldrick’s as his legacy — a way to make a difference while teaching others along the way to stay positive and keep fighting.

People can participate at St. Baldrick’s events in two ways —as shavees and as fundraisers. At the time of writing, in addition to planning to shave his head, Parker has also raised over $2,300 for the foundation, meeting his original goal of $250 more than nine times over. 

He said he’d gotten donations from over 50 people, including seven people who donated over a hundred dollars, through posting on social media and directly asking the people around him, like coaches, friends and family, to help the cause. Paige Hutchinson, Parker’s mom, said that “everyone sees it’s for a good cause, so people have been so generous and willing to donate.”

For the past two years, Port Jefferson Middle School had shown its students a video about St. Baldrick’s encouraging them to join in. This year, Parker, who had fundraised for his sports teams and school before, was convinced; in particular, he remembered the video telling him that every two minutes, a child is diagnosed with cancer. He registered for the event as soon as he could. 

The original $250 goal was met in less than a day. Two weeks in, he hit $1,000, texting his mom, “We’re over!” Then, just a few days later, he hit $2,000. The family is hoping to “punch out another thousand” before March 17. Parker only said he was “happy because everyone’s been so supportive” when he saw how the money was coming in. His mom put it a bit more strongly: “He was psyched!” 

But while the support he’s received is exciting, he still says that the event is really about “helping kids who are going through bad stuff to have hope.” 

“If there are kids who don’t even have cancer who shave their heads, [it] can show them they’re not alone and that it’s not embarrassing,” he said.

When the day comes, he’ll walk over with his classmates during their lunch period to the Port Jefferson High School auditorium before noon, where he expects there to be around 500 people: middle and high school students, teachers, parents and community members. Then, he and the 12 other participants will go on stage to have the deed done by local barbers. As for what he’ll do after, Parker said that he’ll “maybe go downtown once the day’s over.” Then, of course, he’ll spend the next few months around school with a hairless head.

“We didn’t tell him to do anything. We didn’t ask him to do anything —it was all his idea. So that’s amazing. And then on the flip-side, it’s been nice to see the support he’s gotten from the folks who are willing to donate,” said his mother.

“The support from the local community has been overwhelming,” added her husband, Pete.

Prev123...10Next Page 2 of 10
TBR News Media is your local news and entertainment website.
We provide you with the latest breaking news and information for your community.
Contact us: [email protected]

Most Viewed

©