School Club and Local Restaurants Help Feed Frontline Heroes

Shortly after school buildings began closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the student and staff members of “The Hut” school store club at West Hollow Middle School in Melville, New York, realized they would have an excess of funds that they wanted to put to good use. Under the guidance of club advisors Ms. Elisa Brosnan and Mr. Ed Marinich, the club decided to donate $500 to local restaurants owned by a West Hollow alumnus so that he could provide meals to frontline health professionals at Huntington Hospital.

“So many people are generously giving around us, their care, support and time at their own expense and risk,” said Brosnan, an art teacher at West Hollow. “When we were asked by our administration to continue remote clubs during the school closure, we knew our school store members would collaboratively assist in coming up with a way to donate in our community.”

The $500 donation came from funds that would’ve been used to buy products for the school store, that was no longer open due to the school closure. The students from West Hollow often support fundraisers and charities as part of various service learning initiatives in the building, so the students didn’t think twice about giving to the frontline heroes at Huntington Hospital.

"We appreciate the delicious donations of food that local businesses and the community collaboratively have provided to the staff during these difficult and uncertain times,” said Kelly Skinner, an emergency room nurse at Huntington Hospital. “Their support and generosity are appreciated more than we can ever say."

Restaurant owner Dan Valentino of New Wave Burrito and Vauxhall in Huntington, an alumnus of West Hollow Middle School, worked with his staff to prepare the meals that were delivered to essential works and medical professionals at the hospital on April 25, 2020, and April 29, 2020.

“Having the opportunity to be part of something positive and use the donation to feed the frontline healthcare workers is incredible,” said Valentino. “New Wave and Vauxhall want to thank West Hollow staff and students for the donation. It’s helping to keep my business afloat during these hard times.”

An education-oriented community with high academic expectations, the Half Hollow Hills Central School District is located in a residential area of 50,000 people in the central part of Long Island, approximately 40 miles from New York City. Providing for the education of almost 8,000 students, the school district has five elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools. Half Hollow Hills High Schools are fully accredited by the New York State Department of Education. The district is committed to providing all students with equitable opportunities to excel in academics, athletics and the arts.