North Fork Students Join Hearts To Help Kids Displaced By FL Hurricane

CUTCHOGUE, NY — Even the smallest students can make a big difference in helping those in need.

Cutchogue East Elementary School students in Sophie Avella’s fourth grade class raised $643 during a Read-A-Thon, held from Nov. 8 to 15, representatives of the Mattituck-Cutchogue Union Free School District said.

The funds will be donated to Binks Forest Elementary School students in Wellington, Florida, who were displaced from the impact of Hurricane Helene in September, the district added.

Fourth grader Kaia T. moved to Long Island from Binks Forest Elementary School and into the Mattituck-Cutchogue Union Free School District at the start of the 2024 to 2025 school year. After a discussion between Kaia’s grandmother and Avella about how Kaia’s class could give back to those impacted by the hurricane, her teacher learned that several students were displaced and in need of support. The school itself is safe and stable, the district assured.

The Binks Forest Elementary PTA, in collaboration with Avella’s class and Kaia’s grandmother, then coordinated the fundraiser. The students utilized their reading skills to pledge money for each page read for the week.

"Not only do Avella’s students feel good about helping others in need, the displaced students and their parents will benefit from the student’s altruistic gestures and kindness," the district said.

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