A recent student-led service-learning project at Merrimac Elementary School helped raise money for an incredible cause, as students across grade levels rallied together to collect money for the Special Olympics. 

Fourth-grade student Gabriel Nagel developed a plan to raise money for the Special Olympics and brought his idea to Building Principal Veronica DeCicco to make it a reality. Gabriel held a coin drive where students donated spare change, and he also organized a kickball tournament with various incentives for the winning team. 

Additionally, Gabriel reached out to the popular Long Island organization John’s Crazy Socks, which came to Merrimac to host an assembly program for students. Before the assembly, students learned about Down syndrome, what the Special Olympics are and about the inspirational story of John’s Crazy Socks. John’s Crazy Socks is a father-son team which was co-founded by John Lee Cronin, a young man with Down syndrome. During the assembly, John shared information about the Special Olympics and how he never lets Down syndrome hold him back. 

To conclude the assembly, John answered questions prepared by the students and presented Gabriel with his own special socks.