Upstate Foundation links past with present through gift

The Upstate Foundation reunited an alum of Eagle Hill Middle School in Manlius with his former teacher and her current students, who donated $100 to benefit sick children at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital. Brendan Dunuwila, second from right, established The Hornet Fund in 2014 to assist pediatric patients and their families who are struggling with unexpected expenses associated with their hospitalization. 

When the Upstate Foundation received a contribution recently from the Hornet’s Nest Club at the middle school, it seemed like the perfect fit to direct the money to The Hornet Fund. After all, the hornet is the mascot for schools in the Fayetteville-Manlius district, and hometown school pride was the motivating reason for Brendan to give his fund its name.

Student members of the Hornet’s Nest Club manage the school store at Eagle Hill. They are responsible for all aspects of its operation including purchasing, inventory, promotion and sales. At the end of the school year, students researched, presented and voted on organizations to receive part of the profits earned during the school year.

Returning to Eagle Hill for the first time since graduating from 8th grade in 2001, Brendan shared memories with Mrs. Robin Brenner, left, Family & Consumer Sciences educator and Hornet’s Nest director. He was also pleased to meet and thank the Hornet’s Nest Club officers, from left: co-presidents Adam Elasri and Ethan Terchowitz, and vice president Cody Pinsky.