Good News: Big Week for Fundraisers, Hall of Fame Inductions

As a local news organization, Patch covers stories of all kinds, from heartbreaking tragedies to nitty-gritty breakdowns of government and school district issues. But some stories are simply inspiring, often showing that at the heart of our communities is a desire to do good. Here are some of the touching headlines from the past seven days.

Hundreds Rally For Pay-it-Forward Mission Honoring Lost 22-Month-Old

Nearly six months after Hurricane Sandy devastated the Long Island landscape, locals are still pulling together to support one family who is turning their own devastation into something that can help people for years to come.

On April 5, more than 300 people packed Napper Tandy’s in Smithtown to raise money for the Specht family of Sound Beach – whose 22-month-old son drowned in a backyard pond one day before the big storm hit – by backing their ReesSpecht Life foundation.

Mick Foley Inducted into WWE Hall of Fame

Mankind, Cactus Jack and Dude Love – the personalities of pro wrestler Mick Foley – enjoyed one more night among the stars. Newsday reported that Foley, 47, a resident of East Setauket, was among the inductees into the WWE Hall of Fame on Friday at Madison Square Garden.

PHOTOS: A Hundred Take to the Water for Teen's Cause

A hundred community members braved the chilly April weather on Sunday to splash into the Atlantic Ocean to help raise money for a backpack program, sponsored by a Westhampton Beach teen.

The Spring Splash, held at Rogers Beach, was sponsored by HUGS of Westhampton and created by Ariana DeMattei, a 7th grader, raised $3,000 for DeMattei's program, called Backpacks, for fellow students.

PBA Tournament Coming to Port Jefferson

Several years have passed since a Long Island bowling center played host to a PBA tournament. But local professionals and elite bowlers now have the chance to celebrate: Port Jeff Bowl in Port Jefferson Station will host its first-ever PBA Eastern Regional tournament June 8 through June 9.

Teacher's iPad Savvy Earns Tech Leadership Award 

Southampton Intermediate School education teacher Jayne Clare has always aimed to keep up with the cutting edge of educational technology.

Now in her 30th year as an educator, the National School Boards Association's Technology Leadership Network has named Clare one of the "20 to Watch" among leaders advancing educational technology, praising her expertise in iPad integration in classrooms and her app review website Teachers With Apps.

"Jayne Clare’s room was once described as 'magical' by a colleague who observed students with multiple learning problems effortlessly navigating technology she had tailored to their needs," NSBA stated.

Cutchogue Firefighter Running for a Cause

Following a scary bout with an eating disorder a decade ago that landed her in the hospital on multiple occasions, the Cutchogue resident Danielle Fogarty has rebounded in recent years to not only turn that experience around into a positive one, but most recently was named a candidate for the Long Island chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Man/Woman of the Year Award.

Injured Owl Set to Be Released Back Into Wild

Sweetbriar Nature Center Director center Janine Bendicksen says the owl, which became injured when it flew into a soccer net in Fort Salonga, can fly once more.

Commack HS Takes 1st in NYIT Science Competition

A Commack High School team recently won first place at a science competition at New York Institute of Technology.

1972 Olympics Victim Named to Commack's Jewish Sports Hall of Fame

On April 21, nine greats from the athletic world will be inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, located at the Sufolk Y JCC in Commack. Among them is David Berger, a weightlifter of the Israeli Olympic team who fell victim to terrorists during the 1972 Munich games.

Hauppauge Robotics Team Wins Regional Competition

Hauppauge High School's robotics team, the Robotic Eagles, took first place in the SBPLI (School-Business Partnerships of Long Island, Inc.) FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Regional Robotics Competition event held on April 5 and 6 at Hofstra University.