NBHS Raises Funds to Fight ALS
Led by Barbara Brown, a teacher and Dean of Discipline in the high school, students and staff have been busy raising funds for Ride for Life, the local ALS chapter, in memory of beloved high school librarian Mary Murphy. The first fundraiser they had this year for ALS was the "Hearts of Hope" at Valentine's Day, which raised $1,000. The second one took place at Mary Carrolls in Babylon where staff and community members raised over $6,000.
The first Mary Murphy Memorial Concert will be held on May 7th, in the high school auditorium with over 25 talented teachers from all over the district volunteering to perform. The final fundraiser is the ALS Walk. Ms. Brown says that over 100 students have raised $25 each, or even more, and will join the PALS (Patients with ALS) on May 20th for the walk. The President and founder of the Ride for Life, Mr. Christopher Pendergast, along with other patients who have ALS, ride their motorized wheelchairs from Montauk Point to Manhattan to raise money and awareness for ALS. Schools throughout Long Island welcome the PALS to their school and many students walk with them on that particular day’s journey. The Ride for Life PALS will be starting their day at North Babylon High School on May 20th. At that time, West Islip students will join with North Babylon in remembering Mary and others from the North Babylon community who have lost their lives to ALS. In addition, everyone in attendance will celebrate this year’s ALS riders.
North Babylon High School has been an official sponsor of the Ride for Life the last 5 years. Sponsors need to raise $10,000 or more and North Babylon has already raised over $100,000.
Pictured L to R: (Back) Maureen Murphy-Kawakami, Dan Murphy, Jean Ellen Murphy; (Center) Chris Pendergast (President and founder of Ride for Life); (Front) Barbara Brown and Mary Murphy’s grandsons Peter, John, and Patrick.