Spare Change Adds Up for Stony Brook Children's Hospital

Children at schools across Suffolk County got a lesson in community service when they collectively raised $35,000 to donate to .

In the "Change for Children" program, students collect spare change from family members and friends, helped along the way by hospital volunteers.

An anonymous donor will match the donation to bring the total raised to $70,000.

“Their efforts will help improve healthcare for children across Suffolk County and Long Island who come to Stony Brook Children’s for their care,” Dr. Margaret McGovern, physician-in-chief of Stony Brook Children's, said in a statement.

Photo caption: Suffolk County school district representatives and volunteers who fundraise for “Change for Children” present a check for $35,000 to Stony Brook Long Island Children’s Hospital. Standing, left to right, are Mary Magee of Blue Point Elementary School; Linda Chase of Mt. Sinai Elementary School; Kathy Connor of Merrimac Elementary School; Kristen Poulos of Edna Louise Spear Elementary School; Natalie Zaino, Sachem Lead Nurse; Brandon Roslak of Sachem High School East; Fred Sganga, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Stony Brook University Hospital; Joe Zito of Laddie A. Decker Sound Beach School; Linda Arnold of Blue Point Elementary School; and Gia O'Connor of Lynwood Elementary School. Seated are, left to right, Christina Burns, Change for Children volunteer; Debra Grimm MS, RN, Associate Director of Nursing and Administrator for Stony Brook Children’s; and Elizabeth Eghrari, Change for Children volunteer.