Good News: Fundraisers Span the Region

As a local news organization, Patch covers stories of all kinds, from heartbreaking tragedies to nitty-gritty breakdowns of government and school district issues. But some stories are simply inspiring, often showing that at the heart of our communities is a desire to do good. Here are some of the touching headlines from the past seven days.

Pink-Gloved Dancers Hope to Grab Prize

Stony Brook University, hospital and the community has partnered once again to participate in the Pink Glove Dance video competition, a national contest to raise awareness for breast cancer research. Last year Stony Brook placed in the top 10 and this year they are aiming to be number one.

Stony Brook students, workers, athletes, nurses and surgeons wearing pink gloves swayed to the infectious tune of "Carry On", by Indie band Fun for this year's catchy vide.

If they win, Stony Brook Medicine will donate the proceeds to the  Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund. Top prize is $25, 000.  Click here to vote. The contest ends Nov. 5. and you can vote once per day.

Team Raises Cash for Breast Cancer Coalition

The West Islip Field Hockey team's annual "Stick It To Cancer" fundraiser game on October 7 raised over $1500 for the West Islip Breast Cancer Coalition.

The Varsity, JV and Middle School Teams would like to thank everyone for their continued support of their annual game including the following local businesses for their raffle basket donations; Hawley Corner Gift Shop, Shiki Restaurant, Carvel of West Islip, Hershey's of West Islip, Anthony's Pizzeria and Cafe Europa.

Students Collect Treats for Troops

The sophomore class at Bayport-Blue Point High School is making Halloween trick-or-treating a bit more special this year as students are trick or treating to help out troops overseas.

This Halloween, the students in the Bayport Blue Point High School sophomore class have chosen to "trick or treat for the troops" and will be donating their candy to the troops overseas.

Not only are the students planning to donate treats collected on Thursday, Halloween, but will be running a donation collection effort between Oct. 31 and Nov. 6 to provide troops with needed essentials.

School Raises Cash for American Cancer Society

The North County Road Middle School hosted it's first dance of the year for seventh and eighth graders this month. Working hard to honor breast cancer patients, the student government decided to take all of the funds from the dance and donate them to the American Cancer Society.

In addition to monetary donations, students donned pink outfits to show their support. All in all, it was a successful night as the district was able to raise $575.

Loom Bracelets Give Cancer Patients Hope

Port Jefferson Middle School Students, specifically fourth and fifth graders, decided to put their skills to the test for breast cancer. After school, the students began making rainbow loom bracelets for local breast cancer patients as a gift of hope.

Elementary school teachers Deanna Lilimpakis and Kristen Poulos worked together to organize the event and helped the students make over 70 bracelets.

Money Raised for Stony Brook CHILD LIFE Program

Danielle Gleason, publisher and editor for Macaroni Kid of Port Jefferson, Stony Brook and East Setauket, organized a fundraiser to raise donations for the Stony Brook Children's Hospital CHILD LIFE program at the North Shore Montessori School (NSMS) in Stony Brook.

This hospital program helps celebrate important milestones for Stony Brook Children’s patients such as birthdays and end-of-treatment celebrations. Together, Gleason and NSMS were able to get almost 200 people to attend the event, raising over $500 in monetary donations.

Night Of Fright for Walk for Life

Sachem students scared those who dared enter the Night of Fright at Sachem High School East in Farmingville on Oct. 25.

A group of Sachem East seniors put the haunted house together to fundraise for their Sachem Relay For Life team called the Wolffpack, senior Cassandra Olivieri, a member of the team who organized the event with her team, told Patch.

The team had around 20 people involved in the attraction, which had actors and spooky classrooms, Olivieri said.

The attraction raised around $650 toward the American Cancer Society.

Sachem's Relay For Life event is scheduled for June 7, according to the event's website.