for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com may 23, 2013 • The CourieR SUN 3 STEP BY STEP JDRF WALK RAISES $70,000 TOWARD A CURE BY TERE NCE M. CULLEN [email protected] They are $70,000 closer to a cure. On Saturday, May 18, the Fifth Annual South Queens Juvenile Diabetes Walk- A-Thon to Cure Diabetes, organized by the International Society of Saints Cosma and Damiano, raised $70,000. All of the funds will go directly to juvenile diabetes research. The Howard Beach Kiwanis Club, one of many organizations involved, donated a $500 check to the cause. The walk was emceed by KTU’s own Goumba Johnny. The kickoff featured fun and games for all ages at the Ave Maria Catholic Academy in Old Howard Beach. “We’re going to walk for a cure for diabetes and it starts here,” the host said. “And we’re doing it every year until we find a cure.” Walk organizer Joe De Candia said this year has been tough for everyone in the neighborhood because of Sandy, but the community still came out to give their support. “Everybody knows the devastation this area has gone through in the last six months.” De Candia said. “And it was a little tough for everybody to get through, but this is a worthwhile cause we all fight for.” Co-organizer Joe Mure said the day was about the children who suffer daily from the disease, and promised those present a cure was on the way. “I promise you,” he said. “We’re working, we’re taking a step closer to finding a cure and hopefully we’ll be there one day soon.” Councilmember Eric Ulrich applauded the work of De Candia and Mure for organizing the walk and looked forward to the day juvenile diabetes is no longer a problem. “But until that day comes we must do everything that we can,” he said. “We must walk, we must raise awareness and we must fund the necessary research to find a cure.” Vita Leone, president of the Rockwood Park School’s PTA, gives away raffle prizes at the association’s annual fundraiser at Russo’s on the Bay. During the roughly two months the Rockwood Park School was closed for post-Sandy repairs, elementary school students went to the nearby Walter Ward School (P.S. 232). Middle schoolers were assigned to the Holmes School in Long Island City (I.S. 204), necessitating long bus rides and other inconveniences. Citywide, students at 61 schools were relocated to 63 other sites as a result of Sandy, according to Schools THE COURIER/Photo by SHANT SHAHRIGIAN Chancellor Dennis Walcott’s testimony before the City Council’s education committee in February. While the re-opening of the Rockwood Park School on January 2 was a welcome relief, memories of the ordeal lingered at the annual fundraiser. “It’s nice for everyone to be together,” PTA member Cetti Madonna said. “It’s a happy event, as opposed to Sandy– terrible memories.” Garden Center • Seasonal Decor Landscaping • Irrigation 125 Crossbay Blvd. • Broad Channel HOMECOMING Fundraiser for Rockwood Park School after Sandy displaced students BY SHANT SHAHRI GIAN [email protected] Even in the best of circumstances, getting the kids to school can be a chore. But when Sandy temporarily shut down the Rockwood Park School (P.S./M.S. 207Q) in Howard Beach – and some students were assigned to another school about an hour’s bus ride away – getting them up in the morning became all the more difficult. “Basically he hit snooze about four times,” Pamela Baglino said of her seventh grade son. “By the fourth snooze, I’m like, alright, now you have to get out of bed.” PTA members like Baglino had reason to let loose at a lively fundraiser at Russo’s on the Bay on Thursday, May 15. About 190 members wined, dined and danced during the evening. Organizers expected to raise up to $7,000 for the PTA, whose basement office at the Rockwood Park School was ruined during Sandy. The funds will also go to school planners, graduation awards and other uses. “We lost so many months of fundraising,” PTA president Vita Leone said. “Now we’re making it up tonight.” Area businesses donated raffle prizes including iPad minis, a cruise package and gift baskets. One parent donated the use of his photo booth for the night, a big hit with PTA members, who took snapshots in silly hats and accessories. “It’s fun,” PTA member Stephanie Casillo said. “Everybody came out to have a good time and raise money for the school.” at the root of all your garden needs. 718.855.543.NURSERY (6877)
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