Kids & Family

Good News: Serenaders Lift Spirits for Sick Boy

Some stories put a smile on your face. Here's our wrap-up from around Suffolk County.

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.

Shoppers Sing Away Blues for Local Child

Last Saturday, shoppers and friends at Macy's in Commack dedicated a song to a local boy fighting a rare disease, to help lift his spirits.

A host of caring locals performed Songs of Love Experience, part of a movement that records groups singing a "song of love" for a local child living with a serious medical illness.

As seen in the YouTube video above, the group belted their hearts out for Joshua Thompson, who, according to the video's description, is battling a disease that prevents his body from absorbing a certain protein.

Pol Honored for Kids Health Initiative

State Sen. Phil Boyle, R–Bay Shore, was recognized for his work to protect children’s health at a family friendly picnic held at George S. King Park in Bay Shore on August 21.

Sen. Boyle has been working to pass a bill to help protect the health of District Four's many children, currently labeled the Child-Safe Products Act.

No Lazy Days of Summer for Kiwanians

Sayville Kiwanians recently teamed up with the Sayville Fire Department to run two Casino Nights to raise money for community service initiatives. Every year, the Kiwanis Club of Sayville sends a group of five children to camp for a week.

PTA Donates $11k for Student Tablets

Students at Joseph A. Edgar Intermediate School will get a little extra taste of technology this year following an $11,000 donation from the Rocky Point Parent-Teacher Association that will go toward buying 30 tablets.

Raised by the ad-hoc committee and donated to the district on Aug. 15, the funds will purchase 30 Acer Ionia tablets which will be available to individual classrooms one-at-a-time. The school will have a cart for the tablet that will go around the school and let third-through fifth-grade students get a hands-on experience.

2 Mount Sinai Schools Earn NYS Reward Status

Two Mount Sinai schools were named as New York State Reward Schools by  New York State Commissioner John B. King, Jr. for the 2013-14 school year.

Mount Sinai Middle School and high school have received the designation as a Reward School. Mount Sinai Middle School was also named a 2012 National Blue Ribbon School in the performance category of “Exemplary High Performing", last year.

Smithtown Native Gets Back to Work After Conquering Cancer – Twice

Meredith Jorgensen, inducted into the Smithtown Hall of Fame earlier this year, was diagnosed with cancer two times, and recently started back to work as a reporter for a Pennsylvania news station.

Centerport Firefighter Honored for 65 Years of Service

Centerport volunteer firefighter Ken Klerk was recently recognized for his 65 years of dedicated service with the Centerport Fire Department.

Klerk joined the department in 1948 and later climbed the officer's ranks, starting as Lieutenant and Captain of Engine Company No. 1, Second Assistant Chief, First Assistant Chief, and then served as Chief of the Department from 1968-1969. Klerk spent the next 20 years, from 1970-1990, as member of the Board of Fire Commissioners.

Resident Donates Technology To Sachem North

Mr. Gil Sacks donated approximately $6,000 in laptops, scanners, printers and carts to Sachem High School North.


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