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Photo caption: Michael Billia, Senior Vice President, Long Island Market, for Investors Banks and Therese Mora, Assistant Vice President, (right), present a check for $5,000 to Terrie Magro, Vice President and Co-Founder, Michael Magro Foundation. Funds will be used for Project S.O.A.R. a program for pediatric cancer patients returning to school. |
| Long Island, NY: When school resumes in the fall, children everywhere will be adjusting to a new ‘normal’ due to COVID-19. For children who have been hospitalized or home undergoing cancer treatment, the adjustment will be very challenging. Thanks to a grant to Michael Magro Foundation’s Project S.O.A.R. from Investors Bank Foundation, these children and teens will find their transition back to school more comfortable. Michael Magro Foundation created Project S.O.A.R. (School Re-entry Ongoing Academic Resources) to aid children re-entering school following a lengthy absence for cancer treatment. Children often have questions about their returning classmate, that teachers and staff may struggle to answer. Their classmate may have new learning needs while rebounding from chemotherapy. S.O.A.R. increases each child’s chances for a positive, successful academic experience during treatment and beyond. For a child to thrive in the classroom, a smooth “re-entry” to the school environment and ongoing assistance are needed. Project S.O.A.R. nurtures the pediatric cancer patient, his/her family, academic team, and peers. The result is a successful collaboration for all. Investors Bank and Investors Bank Foundation have been strong supporters of The Michael Magro Foundation. Their active role has ensured the Foundation can provide its much-needed programs to the community. Michael Billia, Senior Vice President of Investors Bank’s Long Island Market, noted that Investors supports the Foundation because they have seen, first-hand, the tremendous work being done. Billia stated, “We support the work of the Michael Magro Foundation for a key reason – Terrie and Paul Magro. The excellence of the work done [for children with cancer and their families], the remarkable work done in the community, and the passion exhibited for the work are truly inspiring. They’ve brought others on board with that same dedication. They help families in real crisis. Investors Bank is happy to be part of that kind of loving care.” The Michael Magro Foundation is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization founded by Paul and Terrie Magro honoring the life of their son Michael, who passed away from leukemia at age 13. The Foundation works with the Cancer Center for Kids at NYU Winthrop Hospital, Stony Brook Children’s Cancer Division, and other Winthrop and Stony Brook pediatric specialty centers, as well as Golisano Children’s Hospital in Southwest Florida. In addition to SOAR, core programs include: Life Essentials [helping families struggling financially during their child’s treatment with non-medical expenses], and Bonding With Baby [helping siblings of babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) communicate and bond]. In partnership with The Spencer Foundation, the organization added Operation Playcation, which provides inpatient pediatric hospital patients with Playstation 4 units and an array of gaming choices. For more information on Michael Magro Foundation, or to make a contribution, visit www.michaelmagrofoundation.org or email info@michaelmagrofoundation.org. |
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20 lucky winners will win $500 each in prizes totaling $10,000. 