Dix Hills, NY - December 22, 2017 - The Half Hollow Hills Central School District of Huntington and Babylon has received a generous $6,000 donation for the Half Hollow Hills - Helping Our Own program from the Tom Collins / Chris Panatier 9/11 Memorial Foundation. This is the 14th year Half Hollow Hills has received a donation from the foundation, bringing their total support to an astounding $100,000.
The funds received by Helping Our Own, a partnership between the district and the REACH-Community Youth Agency (CYA), are used to support district residents and employees with financial, psychological or educational assistance in times of crisis. Social workers from the district are able to use this donation to provide immediate relief to families who are struggling.
“A majority of the TCCP Memorial Foundation’s donation is used during the holiday season and directly benefits students and families from the Half Hollow Hills community who are in need,” said Roseann Miceli, executive director of REACH CYA. “Their crucial funding truly brings smiles to the faces of those who are less fortunate, in what can be one of the most difficult times of the year.”
Helping Our Own was born as a result of the tragedy on September 11, 2001, giving it a unique attachment to the TCCP Memorial Foundation. Tom Collins and Chris Panatier were both graduates of the Half Hollow Hills High School East class of 1983 who perished in the World Trade Center attack in 2001. The foundation was founded in 2003 by Tom and Chris’ friends as a means to give back to the community where they all first became friends.
“We are trying to keep the legacy alive of these two great men by giving back to community that meant so much to them,” said Matt Lulley, board member of the TCCP Memorial Foundation and a district resident. “It is our way of taking one of the most painful moments in our nation’s history and trying to have a little good come out of it by donating money, time and effort to people in need of help in our community.”
Each May, the TCCP Memorial Foundation grants at least two $2,000 scholarships to graduating seniors of Half Hollow Hills High School East, and also supports worthy local organizations including Alec’s Run, the Pat Covelli Foundation, and Angela’s House. Additionally, the foundation renovated a beautiful 9/11 Memorial Courtyard at High School East that includes a sculpture and lush gardens. To learn more about the Tom Collins / Chris Panatier 9/11 Memorial Foundation or to make a donation, please visit http://www.tccpmemorialfoundation.org/donate.
“The memory of Tom and Chris is consistently honored by the great work of their friends through the foundation,” said Dr. Patrick Harrigan, superintendent of schools at Half Hollow Hills. “Our district and the community at large is so grateful for their continued support of those in need.”
ABOUT HALF HOLLOW HILLS
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 more than 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 and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The District is committed to providing students opportunities to excel in academics, athletics, and the arts.