Suffolk County Blood, School Supply Drives To Honor Scott Martella

HAUPPAUGE, NY — Suffolk County will host blood and school supply drives in August in memory of Scott Martella, a former county employee who died in a car crash on the Long Island Expressway 10 years ago.

The blood drive will be held on Aug. 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge and from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Suffolk County Fire Academy in Yaphank, County Executive Ed Romaine said.

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Martella, a Smithtown native and Northport resident, was serving as communications director for the Suffolk County executive's office when he died in August 2016.

"Scott was a phenomenal young man who was very skilled and had a commitment to public service," Romaine said. "We are proud to continue to host these community events in honor of Scott, whose legacy still has a strong presence in Suffolk County."

The drives honor Martella's commitment to helping others.

Martella's mother, Stacy Martella, thanked Romaine and the community for continuing to honor her son.

"My family thanks everyone, including County Executive Romaine, for the continued support to honor my son and his passion to give back and pay it forward in a world that can use much more of that," she said. "We are proud to continue these drives in Scott's memory, as giving blood and providing school supplies to children less fortunate were causes that were close to his heart."

Before joining Suffolk County, Martella served as Long Island representative for then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo. In 2009, at age 22, he became the youngest person elected to the Smithtown Central School District Board of Education.

"This drive reminds us that when we have someone like a Scott Martella, we remember and honor him by helping other people in need," Romaine said.

The county is also collecting school supplies for children in need through its annual Back to School Supply Drive, held in partnership with the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless.

Donation boxes will be located throughout the H. Lee Dennison Building. Residents may also contribute through the county's Amazon wish list.

Blood donors are strongly encouraged to make appointments in advance at nybc.org/suffolkcountygov.

Residents may also donate at any of the New York Blood Center's six donor centers by using the code 71573.