Recently, Sayville Union Free School District’s three elementary schools—Cherry Avenue, Lincoln Avenue, and Sunrise Drive—faced off in the district’s annual volleyball tournament fundraiser, Sayville Serving Sayville. A packed crowd of energetic community members attended the event benefiting the Sayville School Employees Charitable Foundation (S.S.E.C.F.) and the Greater Sayville Food Pantry, which supports local families in need.

Sayville’s elementary schools competed against one another in a round-robin tournament to determine the 2025 Sayville Serving Sayville champions. The teams—comprising administrators, teachers, and staff— competed for bragging rights and a highly coveted trophy, with Sunrise Drive coming in first.

Sayville Serving Sayville was started by Sunrise Drive physical education teacher Amy Chaimowitz in 2018 and has been fully embraced by the Sayville community. Tickets cost $2, or one nonperishable food item, with all proceeds going to the S.S.E.C.F. and the Greater Sayville Food Pantry. This year, the event raised close to $2,000, bringing the event’s grand total to approximately $9,000 and countless food items over its six iterations. 

“We wanted to do something that was lots of fun while also giving back to the community in which we teach and live,” said Amy Chaimowitz. 

“I am so proud of our staff and students. We believe in caring for others and learning; part of what we do here is raise money for charity while teaching our kids that we want to go out of our way to help others,” said Sayville superintendent of schools, Dr. Marc Ferris.