West Islip students and staff are joining forces to help a local family in need, working through the Lionheart Fund. According to Lionheart coordinator and Principal John Mullins, the family has lost the mother and the father is hospitalized. Two of their children are attending

an elementary and middle school in the district. A third has returned from college to take care of them. Shown with Mullins are several Captree students as they put their dollar bills and coins into a jar marked for West Islip Lion Friends. The lion is the school mascot. The children, left to right, are Jack Gillings, Jake Brodmerkel, Andrea Suess, Ashley Lopez and Nicole Moy. If you would like to help this special family, please contact Manetuck Elementary School Principal Mary Anderson at 631-893-3350 or Principal Mullins at 631-893-3390.