Good News: Charity Comes in All Shapes This Week

As a local news organization, Patch covers stories of all kinds, from heartbreaking tragedies to nitty-gritty breakdowns of government and school district issues. But some stories are simply inspiring, often showing that at the heart of our communities is a desire to do good. Here are some of the touching headlines from the past seven days.

Videographer Donates Services to Nonprofit

When someone says they are willing to help her nonprofit, Lindsey's Place, which provides camping experiences for disabled children, Hampton Bays resident Kara Billingham jumps at the opportunity. That was the case this week when fellow Hampton Bays resident Julia Florio offered to film and edit an informational video for the Savannah-based camp.

Hampton Bays Mom Collects Holiday Toys In Memory of Her Son

Matthew Allen, who would have been 15 years-old this year, had a wish to fill an 18-wheeler with toys and deliver it to kids who are ill or in need. His mom, AnneMarie, of Hampton Bays, is making that wish come true for her son, who passed away on Jan. 16, 2011 after an illness that led to cardiac arrest.

Tuba Players Rock in NYC

Port Jefferson Middle School students Grant Calendrille and Paul Penske traveled with their band teacher Christine Creighton to New York City this week to join with 47 tuba, euphonium and baritone players from across the county at Tuba Christmas, an annual musical event in Rockefeller Center. Players in this year's Tuba Christmas ranged from ages 10 years old to 87 years old.

Student to Perform in National 'Les Misérables' Tour

Setauket Elementary second-grader Ava Della Pietra is living her Broadway dream: in January, she will join a national tour of "Les Misérables" and perform the roles of Little Cosette and Young Éponine in 22 cities over the course of 26 weeks.

Brownie Troop Does African Outreach

Kings Park Brownie Troop 2973 learned firsthand what it means to think global but act local when they got involved in a project to help Ugandan women lift themselves out of poverty and offer a different kind of shopping experience for local women.

The troop, with the help of local Aly Elish-Swartz, organized a bead party through BeadforLife, an organization that aims to teach Ugandan women skills that can help them to earn money and eradicate their impoverished lives.

North Forkers Volunteer for Sandy Relief Efforts

From pet shelters to food banks, the giving has not stopped for some North Fork residents.

Commack School District students and teachers are joining a rising chorus of groups coming to the aid of their fellow Long Islanders Saturday evening, when a night full of bands, skits, singers and more come together for a fundraiser.