Every year around Christmastime, students in Mr. Lollo and Ms. Mullane’s class take part in a meaningful tradition centered on compassion, service, and community. 

Through their annual “giving back” initiative, students make bologna and cheese sandwiches to donate to the food pantry at Bethany House of St. Patrick Church, helping to feed those in need throughout the holiday season.

This year, the class set an ambitious goal: to surpass last year’s total of 197 sandwiches. Not only did they meet that challenge—they exceeded it remarkably. By the end of the day, students had proudly assembled 257 sandwiches, shattering the previous record by 60. The room buzzed with excitement as students realized their hard work would make an even greater impact for families in the community.

The success of the initiative was made possible through the generosity and dedication of the class moms, who worked behind the scenes to secure donations from local partners, including Maple Street Deli, Costco, Stop & Shop, Target, Stew Leonard’s, and King Kullen. Their support ensured that students had everything they needed to turn a lesson in kindness into real-world action.

More than just a numbers milestone, the project reinforced the importance of empathy, teamwork, and civic responsibility. Through their efforts, students demonstrated what it truly means to care for others and give back to the Islip community, especially during a season defined by generosity and goodwill.

The record-breaking day served as a powerful reminder that even small acts, when done together, can make a big difference.