Veterans from all across Long Island were honored and thanked for their service at the second annual “Concert Under the Stars: A Salute to America’s Heroes,” at the Long Island State Veterans Home (LISVH) at Stony Brook University.

More than 2,000 veterans, families and friends came to share in the free patriotic music performed by the West Point Jazz Knights at the June 27 event.

Veterans from across Long Island were thanked for their service during the concert.

 “Hosting the Concert Under the Stars with the West Point Jazz Knights allowed us to bring together several generations of veterans — from the greatest to the latest — for a wonderful evening to recognize and celebrate their service to our country,” said Fred Sganga, Executive Director of the Long Island State Veterans Home.

Wearing their traditional cadet uniforms, the nationally acclaimed Jazz Knights gave a 90-minute performance, and featured a musical tribute to each era of veterans, starting with WWII.

The Paul J. Gelinas Junior High School Jazz Band opened the event with their 32-piece band, lead by Mark Portugal.

Members of the Stony Brook University Football team took some time off the field this past October to lift the spirits of the young patients at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital.  

After an early morning practice, the players, along with Wolfie, mingled with some of the youngest Seawolves fans in the pediatric acute care units and the pediatric hematology/oncology unit at Stony Brook Children’s.

All had a great time in the play room at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital wit the football players from Stony Brook University. (left to right) Christian Ricard (#39), 6-year-old Liliana Virgilio of Smithtown, Will Tye (#44),  Davonte Anderson (#2) and 4-year-old Julien Indefonso of Holbrook.

With ‘tricks and treats’ in hand, the players drew and colored Halloween-inspired pictures and crafts with the children, took photos, gave out temporary Wolfie tattoos, signed autographs and had some fun with the kids in the Child Life playroom.

The visit brought exactly what the players had hoped for –  smiles to all the young faces. And based on the players’ smiling faces it was difficult to tell who was having more fun.

The players making the visit were Running Back Stacey Bedell of Mastic Beach, New York (#21); Tight End Will Tye of Middletown, Connecticut (#44); Kicker/Punter Luke Allen of Port Jefferson, New York (#53); Quarterback Conor Bednarski of South Pasadena, California (#16); Defensive Back Christian Ricard, of Spencer, Massachusetts (#39); and Defensive Back Davonte Anderson of Corona, California (#2).

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The Stony Brook University Scholars Program held its 3rd annual Toys for Tots Charity Ball on Monday, December 1 in the Student Activities Center.

With the largest response to date, the students donated a total of 492 gifts for the toy drive.

Hundreds of toys were donated at the annual Toys for Tots Charity Ball.

This year’s theme, “Old Hollywood,” brought nearly 400 students to the event. The atmosphere was festive with clips from old films running on a screen, decorative balloons and a large dessert bar.

Representatives from the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve were at the charity ball to collect the donations.  The toys will be given out to less fortunate children in Suffolk County during the Christmas season with the help of local community organizations.

The Toys for Tots Charity Ball event is held each year and planed by the University Scholars Outreach and Social Committees under the guidance of Jeremy Marchese, University Scholars Program Advisor.