Grand Prize Charity Champions Winners Bellport High School Organize a 5K for HELP Suffolk

Bellport High School was named the grand prize winner in this year’s Charity Champions program, which promotes volunteerism among high school students in the tristate area. Students choose a local charity and their efforts are rewarded with a donation from Optimum Community to the charity of their choice. Students, faculty, administration and community members gathered for a 5k race and a 1mile kids’ fun run to raise awareness and funds for their charity, HELP Suffolk. A presentation to recognize the students and award the $5,000 check to HELP Suffolk was held just before the start of the race, and Senator Tom Croci was on hand to congratulate the students as well.

HELP Suffolk is a transitional housing facility for homeless families, the largest facility for the homeless on Long Island. The complex sits on seven acres of property and consists of four residential buildings, a community building, two playgrounds and a baseball field. Since its inception in 1990, HELP Suffolk has served over 4,000 families and has placed nearly 60 percent of families into permanent housing.