Greg Sill Foundation Raises $42K At 2nd Annual Golf Outing

HAUPPAUGE, NY — The second annual Greg Sill Foundation Golf outing raised approximately $42,000, the Smithtown School District announced.

More than 100 people gathered at the Wind Watch Golf and Country Club on July 24 for a day of golf, lunch, dinner, raffles and gift bags.

The event was to honor the legacy of the late Greg Sill, the beloved Smithtown High School West history teacher. Sill died unexpectedly in March 2021 at the age of 48.

His wife, Elizabeth Sill, started a GoFundMe page to raise money for what is now called the Greg Sill "Be the Coffee Bean" Memorial Fund.

"The foundation started on the day of his funeral," Elizabeth said. "I got up and said his name cannot end here. His legacy must live on."

Last year, the inaugural Greg Sill Golf Outing raised $60,000. The two golf outings combined have raised more than $100K.

"As we reflect on our second annual golf outing, we are overwhelmed with the ongoing support of everyone involved," Elizabeth told Patch. "Last year, we felt that the support came from people who knew Greg, but this year we experienced our mission spreading and support came from those who heard about him and the legacy we're maintaining. It’s our goal to ensure that his impact on others continues. The money we raised will fund the scholarships we award, directly impacting the lives of high school seniors and spreading our values of positivity, adventure, and empathy."

The foundation raises scholarship money for local students, including an annual $5,000 scholarship for a Smithtown High School West and Smithtown High School East student.

"The whole idea is to keep Greg’s legacy going," said Ashley Marchese, Smithtown High School West social studies/special education teacher and athletics coach. "You get 100 people to show up, that's what makes it all worth it."

Elizabeth said there were plenty of newcomers to the event this year, as well as plenty of Smithtown Central School District staff, including Smithtown High School East Principal Robert Rose and High School West assistant principals Annemarie Freund and Michael Freiberg.

The "Power of a Pebble" scholarship is offered at both Smithtown high schools, Sachem High School North, and Brentwood High School. Donations go to students who live "positive, adventurous and empathetic lives," according to the Greg Sill Foundation.

The Greg Sill Foundation can be followed on Instagram here.