The incredible partnership between the Farmingdale State College (FSC) Men’s Lacrosse Team and the People’s Arc of Suffolk Educare Center recently caught the attention of the local news! ABC 7 Eyewitness News visited our Bohemia campus to capture the magic of this 20-year holiday tradition.
You can watch the full segment below to see the impact these student-athletes have on our community:
WATCH: ABC 7 TV News Coverage: FSC Lacrosse Team Holiday Donations
Heartwarming Highlights from the News
The segment, reported by Shante Lans, showcases the deep connection between the players and the students. Here are a few standout moments:
Smiles All Around: The players described how seeing the children’s reactions “warms my heart” [00:25]. Each athlete personally donates three to four gifts to ensure every student has a bright holiday [00:40].
A Two-Way Street of Giving: It wasn’t just the students receiving gifts. In a touching moment, a student named Anderson gave the lacrosse players “tattoos” (temporary) as a thank-you for their kindness [01:24].
A Legacy of Service: The report details how the tradition started 20 years ago with Coach Sean Chamberlain’s brother and has been carried on with pride ever since [01:31].
The Magic of Santa: The news crew even caught up with Santa, who shared that he gets just as much joy out of the day as the kids do [01:54].
Supporting Our Community
This event is a beautiful reminder of the strength and resilience of the People at the People’s Arc of Suffolk. For students like Chris and Anderson, who have attended the school since they were toddlers [00:59], this day is the highlight of the season.
We are so proud of the FSC Lacrosse team for their dedication to the People of Long Island and thankful to ABC 7 for sharing this story of joy and gratitude.
Don’t forget to watch the video here and share the holiday spirit!
