Author: Nick DeLuca

Adventureland’s nonprofit organization, The Helping Hands Foundation, selected ten Long Island High School seniors to receive the Tony Gentile Memorial Scholarship. Award recipients were selected out of nearly 100 applicants by the board of the Helping Hands Foundation. Each graduating High School senior received a $1,000 scholarship to be used towards their first semester at a Long Island college or university. Similar to the ideals of Tony Gentile, award winners were chosen based on their dedication and commitment to the Long Island community through school programs and community service.

In addition to the ten Tony Gentile Memorial Scholarship winners, a High School senior from the William Floyd School District was awarded a scholarship for $1,700 as a part of a partnership with Tangier Smith Elementary School. Students from Tangier Smith participated in the Dollars for Scholars program by donating $1 and walking around the track with their grade. The Helping Hands Foundation then matched the $850 the students raised and donated the funds back to the school district in the form of a scholarship for a senior attending a college or university on Long Island. Adventureland awarded the grade that raised the most money with complimentary P.O.P. bracelets.

On Sunday, June 11th, the winners were recognized by the Helping Hands Foundation and the family of Tony Gentile in a brief luncheon ceremony at Adventureland. The foundation was truly delighted to assist these young students on their journey to higher education, and we look forward to gifting many more scholarship dollars to Long Island students in the future.

For more information, please contact Caitlin DiSclafani at [email protected]

On Tuesday, August 2nd, Anna P. from Long Beach became Turbulence’s one millionth rider! Long Island Adventureland celebrated this momentous event with a brief ribbon cutting and by awarding Anna with 2017 & 2018 Season Passes, a prize pack of Turbulence gear, and a permanent spot in Adventureland history.

The Turbulence Coaster was added to the local landmark park in the summer of 2015, and continues to be a favorite among adults and children. The cars on this custom-made Mack coaster spin freely as they travel the tracks, giving riders 360 degrees of thrills and a unique experience every time they ride.

In other Adventureland roller coaster news, on August 16th, National Roller Coaster Day, park guests can ride the Turbulence and Lady Bug Roller Coasters for free when they donate school supplies.

For more information please visit: www.Adventureland.us

On Wednesday, August 16th, Long Island Adventureland will be celebrating National Roller Coaster day with FREE rides on both of their two awesome coasters for guests who donate to the park’s annual school supply drive. That’s right; FREE rides on Turbulence and the Lady Bug all day for guests that donate school supplies on Wednesday, August 16th.

The Turbulence Coaster was added to the local landmark park in the summer of 2015, and continues to be a favorite among adults and children. The cars on this custom-made Mack coaster spin freely as they travel the tracks, giving riders 360 degrees of thrills and a unique experience every time they ride.

The Lady Bug Coaster is a kiddie coaster that packs a punch. Speeding around the track, this red coaster brings smiles and laughs to all who experience it. The memories on the Lady Bug are captured on camera and prints, souvenir gifts, and digital downloads are available for purchase.

School supply donations will be accepted from 11am until 10pm on August 16th at Adventureland, and they will benefit Adventureland’s Helping Hands Foundation’s annual School Supply Drive. This drive supports local students in need. Only new, unopened items will be accepted.

For more information please visit: www.Adventureland.us

Last week, Adventureland’s Helping Hands Foundation donated $1,000 and a variety of magic tricks to Magic Aid, a nonprofit organization that teaches the
children at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital magic. Founded by medical student David Elkin in 2007, Magic Aid helps relieve the stress children experience with hospitalization by performing and teaching magic to young patients. Dedicated to bridging magic and medicine through the use of magic therapy, David and his team are striving to enhance the quality of care provided to patients, one card trick at a time.

Funds were raised through Adventureland Employees’ Water Bottle Recycling Program, and matched by The Helping Hands Foundation. The donation will go towards training other doctors and Magic Aid members sleight of hand, and purchasing tricks that the children can take home with them.

David Elkin stopped by Adventureland last week to show some of the Adventureland staff and the Helping Hands Foundation board members and their families how a little magic can go a long way.

For more information about Magic Aid, visit: www.Magic-Aid.org.

For more information about Adventureland’s Helping Hands Foundation, visit: www.HelpingHandsLI.org