Fun Events Raise Money For Good Causes

By Gresa Shala

The school year has just started and I.S. 49 is bursting with all different kinds of activities. With almost 1,000 children attending our school, you can imagine how there’s always something going on! Whether it’s community service activities, fund-raisers or after school programs and clubs, there is plenty of good news at Dreyfus!!

One of the first fun events took place on September 29. I.S. 49 Arista students and teachers participated in the “Light the Night” walk to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.“They are local events that all (Dreyfus) students, not only Arista (students), can participate in by collecting donations and volunteering their time,’ said Mrs. Abramowitz when she was asked why she chose to lead and attend this walk with Ms. Wolfson. “It is also a wonderful opportunity for students to interact with their teachers outside of school,” said Ms. Abramowitz.

Just recently on Sunday, October 21,2007, I.S. 49’s Arista students and teachers (including Ms.Abramowitz, Ms.Wolfson and Ms. L.Buono) participated in the “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” walk at Clove Lakes Park. The walk, which has taken place for more than a decade, drew thousands of Staten Islanders and many of the participants were students.Tim Rice, the walk’s emcee, says he volunteers himself to the walk because “I’ve become very emotionally involved in this when I see all these women that have suffered greatly, especially those that are wearing sashes that say ‘Survivor.’” He also said, “To me it’s such a powerful symbol of victory over this disease.”In the event I felt like I was walking through a sea of pink—everyone there was wearing pink: pink sweaters, caps, and bracelets, and there was even a person whom I saw that wore a pink wig! It was a day full of energy and zest; there was loud lively music and enthusiastic walkers surrounded by friends and family.

Many companies such as UFT, Pathmark, Staten Island University Hospital, USBC Staten Island Association and media sponsors like WABC-TV, 105.9 La Kalle and 98.7 Kiss FM sponsored the walk.

The money raised helps the American Cancer Society fight breast cancer by: helping to educate women across the nation about prevention and early detection, providing free programs and services that better the lives of cancer patients and their families in more than 3.400 communities in America.

Did you know that since 1993, 3.5 million walkers national have raised more than $230 million through Making Strides events?