Students & Community Unite in Memory of H.S. Alumnus at Walkathon

SYOSSET, NY/WOODBURY, NY; October 24, 2024 – Syosset High School students were recently joined by members of the community to not only support Syosset Dog Rescue’s mission in promoting the importance of dog rescue but to pay tribute to a Syosset High School alumnus dedicated member of Syosset Dog Rescue Club whose life was tragically taken too soon, Sabrina Navaretta of Woodbury. For one hour, nearly 150 students and people from the community walked together around Syosset High School’s track to a prominently displayed banner adorning Syosset Dog Rescue Club’s Walkathon’s new name, the “Sabrina Navaretta Syosset H.S. Dog Rescue Walkathon,” which features large pictures of Sabrina. Syosset Dog Rescue’s Co-Advisors Jodie Cohen and Dana Kaplan renamed the Walkathon last year in Sabrina’s honor after her life was tragically taken in a car accident while returning from a college function as a freshman at the University of Delaware.

At the event, Sabrina’s parents, John and Mara Navaretta of Woodbury, presented to Co-Advisors Cohen and Kaplan their second annual check donation of $500 to Syosset Dog Rescue that will benefit Paws of War, a not-for-profit that rescues dogs for veterans and troops serving overseas. The Navarettas made their first annual donation to Syosset Dog Rescue last year to carry on their daughter's legacy of support for the club. It is one of many charitable contributions the Navarettas have made since establishing their inspirational nonprofit, the Sabrina Navaretta Memorial Foundation, which empowers them to keep their daughter’s memory alive by giving back to the community. Their philanthropic efforts include supporting other grieving families and awarding scholarships to high school seniors who embody Sabrina's character and values. Remarkably, the Navarettas’ set up the Sabrina Navaretta Memorial Foundation and gave out its first Syosset High School senior scholarship within just two months of their daughter’s passing.

“This event was incredible,” said Cohen. “We felt Sabrina’s presence the whole morning, including her passion for dog rescue and her dedication to helping homeless animals. Through our club members and the community participating, our Walkathon raised $6,000, which will all go towards our mission of supporting different dog rescue groups.”

Kaplan continued, “Our Walkathon was successful on so many fronts. Some of the highlights were when our high school a cappella group, the Adelettes, performed Angel in honor of Sabrina, and the Syosset Fire Department arrived with their fire truck to support our event.”

Brynn Pinto, a senior at Syosset High School who is Syosset Dog Rescue Club Co-President, commented, “This Walkathon was fantastic. It was so much fun to be outside together to pay tribute to Sabrina and raise money so we can continue to help dogs in need of rescue.”

Sabrina’s Mother was especially moved by Syosset Dog Rescue’s continued efforts to keep Sabrina’s memory alive. “We are so touched that Syosset Dog Rescue has renamed its annual Walkathon to honor our beautiful daughter, Sabrina, each year. We know she was smiling down over the many who turned out to participate in Syosset Dog Rescue Club’s Walkathon for its mission and to remember Sabrina. Since Sabrina was so passionate about rescuing dogs, John and I will always support the Syosset Dog Rescue Club as well as Paws of War as one of its beneficiaries.”

Launched in 2016 as the first dog rescue club on Long Island, Syosset Dog Rescue is one of the largest clubs at Syosset High School. It has approximately 100 student members and has donated $55,000 since its establishment to not-for-profit dog, cat, horse and wildlife rescue organizations across the New York Tri-State area. Its mission is to educate students about the rescue of dogs and other animals, provide them with hands-on experience with rescue dogs, and raise money for dog and other animal rescue groups through its various events.

Though her life was short, Sabrina Navaretta made an everlasting impression during her life by giving to and thinking of others. This inspired her parents, John and Mara, to establish The Sabrina Navaretta Foundation in June 2023 after her tragic death on April 28, 2023. The Syosset-based Foundation covers numerous areas of philanthropic service, including: senior scholarships, animal rescue, grief support, environmental stewardship, and assistance for people with different needs in our community. The Navarettas are grateful to Foundation donors and welcome continued support. Anyone who would like to donate can do so by Venmo via @SabNavScholarship, Zelle via 516-551-3347, or a mailed a check issued to The Sabrina Navaretta Memorial Foundation addressed to 30 Berry Hill Road, Syosset, NY 11791. For more information about the Sabrina Navaretta Foundation, please visit www.sabnavfoundation.org, contact 516 551-3347 or email Sabnavevents@gmail.com.

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PHOTO CAPTIONS:
PHOTO 1:
Pictured from right to left: John and Mara Navaretta of Woodbury, parents of Sabrina Navaretta, whose life was tragically taken in a car accident on April 28, 2023, discuss their daughter’s dedication to Syosset Dog Rescue Club as a Syosset High School student after presenting their second annual check donation to Syosset Dog Rescue Co-Advisors Jodie Cohen and Dana Kaplan at the “Sabrina Navaretta Syosset H.S. Dog Rescue Walkathon.”
Photo credit and permission are courtesy of Syosset Dog Rescue.

PHOTO 2:
Pictured from left to right: Syosset Dog Rescue Club Co-Advisors Dana Kaplan and Jodie Cohen stand in front of the "Sabrina Navaretta Syosset H.S. Dog Rescue Walkathon" banner surrounded by Syosset High School and community member participants.
Photo credit and permission are courtesy of Syosset Dog Rescue.

PHOTO 3:
Pictured from left to right: Syosset Dog Rescue Co-Advisor Dana Kaplan and Mara Navaretta of Woodbury, mother of Sabrina Navaretta, who tragically lost her life in a car accident on April 28, 2023, remember Sabrina at the Walkathon, which has been renamed in her honor, by proudly standing next to a large photo of Sabrina with her two rescue dogs, Bella (left) and Molly (right).
Photo credit and permission are courtesy of Syosset Dog Rescue.