Lockhart Elementary Raises $15K For Make-A-Wish

MASSAPEQUA, NY. — Lockhart Elementary carried on a decades-long tradition Tuesday, raising over $15,000 to donate to the Make-A-Wish foundation for the second year in a row. It's also the 37th year in a row that the school raised funds for Make-A-Wish, a total district officials said makes it the longest-running school donation campaign in the country.

The donation was revealed at the district’s Dec. 23 Make-A-Wish concert, met by applause from students, teachers, staff, administrators and board of education trustees and local elected officials. The concert featured holiday standards to celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah and the winter season, performed by the fifth grade band, chorus and orchestra.

The funds were raised over a six-week period across several district events, including a walk-a-thon, the sale of raffle tickets and more.

“This is not just another school fundraiser, this is not just another school collection,”
Principal Michael DeLuca said. “The spirit of Make-A-Wish and what it represents
completely embodies what Lockhart strives to be. This wonderful organization helps
families lives out a dream that might not be possible. For us to be a part of that truly shows
how much we care about helping others.”

The donation will be used to grant the wish of six-year-old Ezra, who recently had a liver transplant and wished to go to Disney World with his family.

“Wishes are so much more than a trip, a puppy or a gaming system,” Assistant
Principal Louisa Vecchione said. “They are a spark of hope, a reminder that anything is
possible. Year after year, I have seen our school unite as a family to bring joy and strength
to children and their families.”

On hand to accept the donation was Joan Siedlecki, a wish granter who discussed the mission and purpose of Make-A-Wish. Also speaking at the concert were student council adviser Diane Bacheller and student council president Madison Sheinfeld. The orchestra opened the concert under the direction of Inna Tymochko-Dekajlo, while the chorus performed under the direction of Kathleen Dyckman. The band closed out the performance, conducted by Nicole Boyle.