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H.S. senior leads cancer research fund through his work with Blood Cancer United. Last year, Amiruddin co-led J a c k s o n A m i r u d d i n , a a team called the Hope Chasers senior at Calhoun High School in the organization’s Student in Merrick, shifted his role this Visionaries of the Year camyear in the Blood Cancer Unit- paign, finishing as a top comed Student Visionaries of the petitor among Long Island Year campaign from student teams in the fundraising effort. fundraiser to men“I wanted to help tor, guiding fellow a lot of the kids participants who were like me,” through a sevenAmir uddin said. week ef for t that “Hopefully help helped raise more them have a better than $1.48 million childhood than I on Long Island was able to with all while supporting the hospital visits teams as they and everything.” JAckSoN worked toward a The campaign shared goal of help- AMIRuDDIN challenges high ing patients and Senior, Calhoun High school students families affected by School across Long Island blood cancer. to raise money for Amiruddin took blood cancer part in the Student research, advocacy Visionaries of the Year grand and patient support during an finale at Pier Sixty at Chelsea intensive seven-week period. Piers in New York City on This year, 30 teams collectively March 6, which was the culmi- raised a record, nearly dounation of years of resilience, bling last year’s total of about leadership and a commitment $850,000. to helping others facing the dis“It’s a seven-week fundraisease he once battled himself. ing challeng e where high The 17-year-old, who was school students compete to diagnosed with acute lympho- raise the most money,” Clara blastic leukemia at just 13 Leyendecker, a campaign develmonths old, has transformed opment manager with Blood his experience into action
By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ
hgaldamez@liherald.com
I
wanted to help a lot of the kids who were like me.
Courtesy Scott Gold
At the Merrick Estates Civic Association, community members are preparing the adults’ and kids’ pools for summer fun.
Pool club prepares for summer fun
Club membership offers special benefits for residents By JoSEPH D’AlESSANDRo jdalessandro@liherald.com
The Merrick Estates Civic Association is preparing for summer the same way it has for almost 70 years, looking forward to months of outdoors fun for parents and children alike. The association’s members-only community center, on Shore Drive, was created to bring families in the neighborhood together to enjoy games, events and stress-free socializing. Its attractions include a community pool with a diving board, outdoor lawn games, Ping-Pong and beach volleyball, as well as drinks and cooking amenities. Membership also qualifies families for discounts with sponsoring businesses, involvement in
MECA sporting events, weekly programs for children and more. The association’s board is made up of volunteers. Co-presidents Scott and Shari Gold have worked to make the club an accessible, casual hangout spot for neighbors looking to unwind. “We’re really about creating that local c o m m u n i t y e x p e r i e n c e, ” S c o t t s a i d . “We’re typically designed for families and kids of all ages, but there’s very much a strong focus on younger families with younger children. “The families that are with MECA have stayed with MECA for many years, summer over summer,” he added. “It’s like a diamond in the rough … even though it’s been here ContinuEd on pAgE 2
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