Connetquot High School Recognized as Charity Champions Grand Prize Winner

Optimum Community visited Connetquot High School to celebrate and recognize student members of the Habitat for Humanity Club as the Charity Champions grand prize winners for Suffolk County. The school was presented with $5,000 to be donated to Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk, an independently operated affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. For 25 years Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk has empowered over 165 families to achieve homeownership. Its goal is to build 12-15 houses annually to enable families in need in Suffolk County to have an affordable home. The Habitat for Humanity Club at Connetquot High School was started 15 years ago, and over 200 students participate in the club with each putting in more than 20 hours of community service a year. This year, the club held a number of fundraising events, including a book sale, a 5K Fun Run, cookie dough sales, a pancake breakfast at Applebee’s, an Easter Egg Hunt, and more. Students also volunteered in a “student build” this year in Mastic Beach. Town of Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter attended the ceremony, congratulating the students on their success, and a representative from Senator Tom Croci’s office presented the club with a citation.

“Every family needs a place to call home and thanks to your terrific efforts throughout the year, Habitat for Humanity is able to make that dream of homeownership come true for families in need,” said Supervisor Carpenter. “Not only did you win the Charity Champions grand-prize for Suffolk County, but you also actually helped build a home in Mastic Beach this year. Congratulations on a job well done! I’d also like to thank Optimum Community for making this program available to the students in our area.”