Sharks lend a helping hand

The Eastport-South Manor varsity football team recently came together last month to help clean up the Camp Paquatuck grounds ahead of the Spooky Walk.

“We are beyond proud of these young men for volunteering their time for a great cause. We want these boys to see that the real struggles of life are not between the lines of a football field,” said varsity assistant Coach Mike Farley. “The Eastport-South Manor JV and varsity football teams are playing some of their best football in over a decade! It’s an exciting time to be a shark!”

Started in 1989, the Spooky Walk is a fundraiser hosted by the Camp Paquatuck fundraisers (formally the Moriches Paquatuck Squaws) to benefit Camp Paquatuck, a camp for children and adults with special needs.

“When I was first told of this idea, I thought it was great. The community supports these boys so much through donations and fundraising that I knew I wanted to find a way for them to give back and what better way than to help children with disabilities?” said ESM Football Booster Club president Kelly Schultz. “That was an instant yes. These boys work so hard on the field and I’m proud of them for working just as hard off the field. I think this is a great way to show them that you should be thankful for what you have and give back whenever possible.”

The event delivers about 45 minutes of scares and is considered the longest-lasting haunted walk on Long Island. This year it was hosted on Oct. 16, 17, 23, and 24. One hundred percent of the proceeds go to the camp.

Players from the varsity team showed up with gloves in hand to help move big props out of storage units and set up the grounds ahead of the big event as well as a cleanup, including raking leaves and picking up sticks.

“Our players are giving back to the community, volunteering their day off to help set up Camp Paquatuck’s Spooky Walk. Proud to see our Sharks leading by example and making a difference beyond the football field!” said varsity head coach Guy Buckley.