Photos: Island Trees Comes Together to Support Family in Need

The Island Trees School District may be small, but it pulled together in a big way Friday night for a local family in need of support.

Rod "the Colonel" Simons grew up in the Island Trees School District, which his two daughters, ages 8 and 14, now attend. The beloved neighbor and active community member passed away suddenly from cardiac arrest in December.

In response, district teacher and coach Andrew Schneider organized a cageball fundraiser at Island Trees High School to benefit Simons' family.

Cars filled the high school parking lot and lined surrounding streets as families piled into the gymnasium.

Excited students from J. Fred Sparke Elementary School, Michael F. Stokes Elementary School and Island Trees Memorial Middle School were the rowdiest fans of all, excitedly cheering on their teachers from the sidelines as they battled to get the giant cageball over the net.

"The cageball fundraiser was a huge success," said Schneider. "It was bigger than I could have ever imagined thanks to the great support of the Island Trees community. The support and contributions of the Island Trees teachers, staff, and community members was overwhelming."

Island Trees High School student Madelaine Buckley opened the night with the National Anthem, and the Island Trees High School kickline team performed between games. Kids enjoyed carnival inspired snacks and guests of all ages bought raffle tickets with hopes of winning prizes ranging from an iPad and flat screen TV to Burberry, Juicy and spa gift baskets and tickets to a Yankees game and a Broadway show. Almost all of the prizes were donated in Simons' honor.

"The Simons family was blown away with the outpouring of supoort," said Schneider.

The night would not have been possible without the dedication of the teachers and staff from Stokes and Sparke Elementary Schools, Island Trees Memorial Middle School and Island Trees High School, along with a few key participating community members who wished not to be named, Schneider said.

"A night that started out as a small tribute to a wonderful man turned into this amazing event, all because of a community's love," he said. "I could not be prouder to be a member of the Island Trees family. It is a night like this that reminds all of us how lucky we are and what a special place Island Trees is."

To view photos from the event, click on the gallery. Have your own? Add them here or e-mail them to nina.ruggiero@patch.com.