Stories

After nearly nine years U.S. veteran John W. of Mastic Beach is finally home. It wasn't until this year that he was able to move into his newly built home in after it suffered irreparable damage due to Superstorm Sandy. United Way of Long Island reached out to help John by providing him a mobile trailer to live in to give him a place to call home while he waited for his permanent house to be…

Jason Jason Safuto, no stranger to service, is a former member of the U.S. Navy now in his 20th year as a NYPD police officer. If he discovered service many years ago, Safuto didn’t discover running until later in life. He has since run numerous races and is now gearing up for his first marathon as part of Team Mission United, United Way of Long Island’s entry in that race. “I never liked…

Nelson Nelson Reyes is a U.S. Army veteran as well as a member of Team Mission United, United Way of Long Island’s team of runners entered in the New York City Marathon to raise money for veterans. He understands what it means to serve in the military as well as the importance of supporting veterans. “I believe that the veteran demographic is a tricky one to serve, especially in regard to combat…

David Running the New York City Marathon as part of the United Way’s Team Mission United will be David Smith’s first full marathon, but he’s no stranger to track and field. Running this race, to raise funds for veterans, is both a return and something new for him. He has participated in the Syracuse and the Great South Bay half marathons. “I enjoy running,” Smith, a 41-year-old East Meadow…

Alyssa Alyssa Barbosa since 2016 has served as a member of the New York Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton. She also works as a nursing assistant at Mather Hospital in Port Jefferson. The 24-year-old Lindenhurst resident now brings the same focus and motivation to the New York City Marathon as a member of Team Mission United,…

Robert D.R.E.A.M.S. for Youth Scholarship Recipients   When Robert was exploring college options during his junior year at Huntington High School, he fell in love with New York University’s rigorous actor training, alumni connections and location. And in his first academic year at NYU, United Way of Long Island’s D.R.E.A.M.S. for Youth Scholarship Program gave him the opportunity to pursue his…

Eric & Christopher   Anthony J. Stupore Memorial Scholarship Fund Recipients D.R.E.A.M.S. for Youth Scholarship Recipients Eric and Christopher are twin brothers who graduated from Seaford High School. Their father was absent for most of their childhood, while their mother struggled to raise and support three children and a 101-year-old grandparent on a teacher’s assistant salary. The family…

Sam D.R.E.A.M.S. for Youth Scholarship Recipient During his time as a student at Baldwin High School, Sam developed a passion for law and government. He found himself enamored by political science and economics, and with the help of United Way of Long Island’s D.R.E.A.M.S. for Youth Scholarship Program, he was able to pursue those interests at University at Albany, SUNY. Growing up in Baldwin…

Priya D.R.E.A.M.S. for Youth Scholarship Recipient While most Columbia University freshmen began their college experience virtually this past year, Priya was one of the few on campus in Manhattan. Given the COVID-19 pandemic, students were forced to apply for the limited space offered in the dorms this past year. Priya’s ability to live on campus gave her the freedom she lacked at home, and with…

Thomas 2nd New York City Marathon An Army mechanic turned engineer turned marathon runner. This November, Thomas will run the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon as a member of Team Mission United.  When Thomas enlisted in the US Army, he took to running and discovered he had a strong lung capacity. Within months Thomas became the leader of his troop’s group runs, setting the pace and keeping his…