Huntington Habitat Donates $78,000 to Build House

Huntington High School Habitat for Humanity club members came to last week’s public meeting of the Huntington School Board in the Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School auditorium to announce the club would be donating $78,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Long Island to build a much needed home in Wyandanch.

“Since the inception of Huntington High School’s Habitat for Humanity chapter, a student run club, our goal has been to make a difference in the world,” club President Mabelin Maldonado said. “We have built all over Long Island,. We have helped the Breezy Point, Queens community rebuild after Superstorm Sandy. We have traveled to Florida, Texas, California, Alabama and Tennessee. After Hurricane Katrina devastate New Orleans, we participated in over 17 trips to New Orleans to help in the rebuilding of a beautiful city with remarkable people. Over these 20 plus years we have donated over $90,000. Our biggest highlight came when we donated $20,000 to the building of a home for one of our very own security guards.”

Fundraising events have included Met/Yankee games, restaurant initiatives, bake sales, a color run, cheesecake sales, generous donation from Huntington residents and businesses and beyond and alumni club member contributions.

“Huntington students past and present have stood side by side with many homeowners and now we stand here before you making history on Long Island and possibly the whole United States as we donate the largest amount of fundraised money by a student run chapter,” Ms. Maldonado told trustees. Thanks to a very supportive Huntington community and school district, we the students of Huntington Habitat would like to donate $78,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Long Island.”

Membership in the high school’s Habitat for Humanity chapter is open to all students. Those interested should speak with Robert Gilmor, the group’s founding faculty advisor.

Club members are thrilled to be able to make such a large donation. “I am beyond overjoyed and extremely grateful to be a part of this historic moment,” said Emma Polinsky, club vice president. “I am looking forward to raising the walls of our home.”

Mr. Gilmor beamed at the meeting. “This has been a forever goal and this is a historic milestone for our club,” he said. “We’ve been to communities all across the country and we have watched people come together to help a family realize their dreams. In Wyandanch, the Huntington funded home will be built by our community for a deserving family.”

Long Island Habitat officials were on hand at the meeting. “I’m ecstatic, overjoyed, emotional, grateful and appreciative,” Ms. Maldonado said.

Club members and supporters gathered in the STEM school lobby for a commemorative photo. “I’m honored to be a part of the culmination of hard work from the many students at Huntington,” Mr. Gilmor said.