HAUPPAUGE COMMUNITY UNITES FOR 1st RESPONDERS

The Hauppauge School District united on Saturday, September 26, 2016 with the goal of collectively walking 911 miles in the First Annual Patriots Month Walk to benefit the Feal Good Foundation. This inaugural charity walk was organized by Hauppauge High School Seniors Craig Bottner and Teressa Mercurio as part of their International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) project requirement. Doreen Gordon, director of Social Studies and Business served as the students’ adviser, and Assistant Principal Joy Ferrara provided technical support.

While the Patriots Month Walk fell short of it 911-mile goal, approximately 50 participants walked more than 1,000 laps around the Hauppauge High School track to raise approximately $2,000 for the Nesconset-based Feal Good Foundation, which assists first responders who are struggling with illnesses related to 9/11. “It’s very important to continue to help these people,” described Mercurio.

While Bottner and Mercurio were only toddlers on September 11, 2001, they learned about 9/11 from the news, their classes and through personal stories – all of which led them to partner with John Feal, the founder and president of the Feal Good Foundation for their community service project requirement. “I hope these first steps cause a chain reaction that will lead to something far beyond the original idea,” stated Bottner. “And I hope support for this event will continue to grow and unite our community the way 9/11 united America.”