PLAINVIEW, NY (Sept. 7, 2022) The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Foundation recently received a $2,300 donation from Nathaniel Woodhull Elementary School Community Cares Club, which will be used to support the Foundation’s K-9 Unit.
The donation was made in honor of PJ Fusaro, a 2012 William Floyd High School graduate who passed away from COVID-19 in 2020. Fusaro loved dogs and dreamed of becoming a K-9 deputy sheriff.
Members of the school’s Community Cares Club raised money through the “Coins for K-9’s” collection drive held in the spring. Students and staff presented the ceremonial check to the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Foundation at their school on Aug. 15. Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. and Dr. Dominic Marino of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Foundation presented the club and members with a certificate of appreciation.
Donna and Phil Fusaro, PJ’s parents, attended the ceremony, where Toulon presented them with a special badge and posthumously named their son an honorary K-9 deputy sheriff. The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office also presented the family with a challenge coin, which bears the office’s insignia and honors the family through leadership through adversity.
“I am proud that the Suffolk Sheriff’s Office was able to honor a family that lost their loved one, especially PJ who was a remarkable young man,” said Sheriff Toulon. “I am very grateful to the Nathaniel Woodhull Elementary School Community Cares Club and the Sheriff’s Foundation for collaborating on this fundraiser in PJ’s honor that will further benefit our robust K-9 unit.”
To continue to honor PJ and support the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Foundation, a newly launched “Coins for K-9s” fundraiser is taking place through the William Floyd school district. The fundraiser was started by Donna Fusaro, who is a teaching assistant at Nathaniel Woodhull Elementary School. Funds will support training and the K-9 program.
About Suffolk County Sheriff’s Foundation
Launched in 2020, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Foundation’s mission is to support community-based programming to reduce incidents of crime and recidivism, improve outcomes for at-risk individuals, and build positive relationships with members of law enforcement.
Photo info:
Pictured with the ceremonial check are Community Cares Club members and students (l-r) Joseph McCabe, Samantha Bravo, Gianna Pernal and Cesar Galeano Garcia. Back row (l-r) is Kayla Schweers, Community Cares Club advisor and third-grade teacher; Dr. Dominic Marino, Sheriff’s Foundation; Errol Toulon Jr., Suffolk County Sheriff; Dr. Heather Murillo, principal, Nathaniel Woodhull Elementary School; and Erica Peralta, assistant principal, Nathaniel Woodhull Elementary School. (Photo courtesy: Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office).
