ECC Spirit Showcase Raises Over $3,500 for Make-A-Wish
Selden, N.Y. - Dance teams and cheerleading squads from ten institutions joined together on March 26 to perform in the East Coast Conference’s Spirit Showcase, an event that raised over $3,500 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
“The East Coast Conference and its member schools take the NCAA Division II attribute of service to the community very seriously and I think the opportunity to support the Make-A-Wish foundation through our Spirit Showcase again this year was a great success,” said ECC Commissioner Dr. Robert Dranoff. “We raised $1000 more than last year, had more of our ECC schools participating and were able to bring in cheer and dance squads from other area institutions as well. All the teams were great, as were their coaches and fans. We think everyone had a good time helping us raise money for such an important cause.
Although focused on participation from member institutions, the East Coast Conference opened the showcase up to local Long Island squads. Performers included cheerleading squads from Adelphi, Bridgeport, Molloy, NYIT, St. Thomas Aquinas, Stony Brook and Suffolk Community as well as dance teams from Adelphi, C.W. Post, Dowling, Molloy, Queens, and St. Thomas Aquinas.
Justin Cirillo, a wish recipient and speaker for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, was on hand to kick-off the event that was held in the Brookhaven Gymnasium on the Suffolk County Community College campus in Selden. He told the crowd of over 400 spectators how his wish to meet the New York Yankees was granted and how much of an impact a wish makes on the life of a child.
“It was a pleasure being able to speak at the East Coast Conference Spirit Showcase in front of a great crowd,” Cirillo stated. “As someone who has received a wish before, I hope that everyone there got to understand why Make-A-Wish is a truly great organization.”
Through ticket sales, raffles and concessions, the East Coast Conference surpassed their goal of $3,000 to donate to the Foundation.
“We really want to thank our friends at Suffolk Ccounty Community College for hosting this event and the Make a Wish Foundation of Suffolk County and their volunteers who helped make it a great day,” stated Dranoff.
