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Community Corner

Blue Angels To Hold Fundraiser

The Blue Angels charity will be at Public House 49 and Pera Bell in Patchogue on December 8.

Many Sachem students across the district are dedicated to helping the community this time of year, but one group in particular has extended its service far beyond graduation. The Blue Angels Charity has been in action for 9 years and is comprised of Sachem alumni who work tirelessly to distribute gifts to children in need. The group will be at work once again on December 8 at Public House 49 and Pera Bell in Patchogue, and needs the community's help to make this year its most successful yet.

The charity’s founders - Sachem alumni Ryan Boyd, Larry Bragaglia, and Dave Chierella - were working together back in 2002 when they collectively decided that they wanted to do something to help those having financial difficulties during the holiday season.

They began the Blue Angels with a bowl-a-thon, the first of many fundraising events, and their efforts gave them the means to buy gifts for the children of five families. Since that first year, the Blue Angels’ membership list has continued to grow, and the charity has been able to help as many as 250 families in recent years. Past fundraisers have included a Chinese auction and a bar crawl.

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The Blue Angels work closely with Christmas Magic, a Long Island-based organization that donates toys to those in need in both Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Children write a letter to Santa specifying the toy they are most hoping for on Christmas morning, which is passed along to the Blue Angels so that members can purchase those particular items with the money raised. The toys are donated to shelters and to various other locations around the Sachem community the day before Christmas Eve.

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“The look on parents’ faces when we deliver the gifts that night is incredible,” said Sachem alum Ryan McCaffery. “They’re so thankful that their children are able to have the Christmas that they deserve.”

Although the Blue Angels are not strictly Sachem graduates, McCaffery noted that they do make up about 30 of its members. In his sixth year working with the organization, McCaffery feels privileged to be a part of such an amazing group, and has seen involvement from community members of all ages.

“We’ve met a lot of people that have gotten their own children involved to give back to the community,” he commented. “People that you’ve never met before are constantly coming out to help our cause.”

The Blue Angels will be hosting their next fundraising event on December 8 at 8 p.m. at both Public House 49 and Pera Bell in Patchogue. For a $15 donation at the door, attendees will find drink specials, a live band and DJ, and will be able to enter 50/50 raffles to win prizes such as digital cameras or a flat screen TV. The Blue Angels Charity promises that 100% of all proceeds will go directly towards buying gifts for children in the community.

Those looking for more information or to donate can contact McCaffery at mccaff16@yahoo.com.

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