Teens Help Raise $1,400 for Sandy Relief

Teens from the East Hampton area have helped to raise about $1,400 for Hurricane Sandy relief.

Just before Thanksgiving, a bunch of young soccer players from around the South Fork participated in a tournament fundraiser.

A group from Springs invited friends from Pierson, Hampton Bays, Tuckahoe, Ross, East Hampton and Southampton middle schools to play in the charity round robin soccer match held at Coastal Sports in Hauppauge.

According to Springs School parent Mary McPartland, whose son Andrew Wilson was amongst the players, each boy played for two hours and contributed $25 to 30. She said all proceeds were donated to American Red Cross and there were over 50 teams that participated. "Our group of boys raised $580 total, and the entire tournament took in $11,000, which has been gifted to families who lost everything in the hurricane."

The Springs players also included: Henry Pillco, Erick Lopez, Patrick Gonzalez, Brandon Flores, Alberto Gallegos, Derick Palacios.

Older brothers from East Hampton High School's championship varsity soccer team helped coach the boys.

McPartland' sson also placed buckets — made up by Montauk Youth — at 13 businesses around Springs, including at the Springs General Store, Springs Pizza, Wolfies Tavern, Corner Store, One Stop Market, Maidstone Market & Deli, Michael's, Pepperoni's, Springs Wines & Liquors, and Springs Hardware & Video.

Two weeks later, when Andrew went to collect the buckets, he found almost $800 had been donated, according to his mother. "The funds will be used to equip local volunteers with cleaning supplies when they go to Island Park and the Rockaways to help clean out homes," she said. "That combined with the charity soccer tournament, played in Hauppauge before Thanksgiving, means the local effort by these couple of teens raised almost $1,400."