Mills Pond Cares Club Raises Nearly $800 For Local Children Foundation

ST. JAMES, NY — The Mills Pond Cares Club, made up of fourth graders at the elementary school, recently donated $775 to the Smithtown Children's Foundation, the Smithtown School District announced.

The students had a weeklong spare change collection to raise money for the foundation. Cares Club is led by teachers Kristin Quail, Melissa Taylor and Diana Lanze.

The Smithtown Children's Foundation is a not-for-profit public charity that provides financial and emotional support to families living within the Smithtown School District.

It formed in 2008 to help a local kindergartener diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma. As the group pooled its resources, its founders realized they were building something to help the entire community.

"Even though Kaylee Ann Rivers has since passed away, her courage inspired us to help others in crisis!" the foundation wrote.

The foundation assists families in crisis by paying medical bills, overdue household bills, and purchasing medical equipment that is not covered by insurance. It also manages college scholarships for graduating seniors from both Smithtown high schools, many in memory of loved ones lost. It also funds an annual Teacher’s Grant for a worthy classroom project that cannot be funded in any other way.

"We have become a resource for our community’s most needy as we work closely with our school district’s social workers, providing backpacks/school supplies, as well as Thanksgiving gift cards and holiday gifts," the not-for-profit wrote.