Napper Tandy's Helps Robotics Booster Club Raise Over $2K With Raffle

For the second year in a row, Napper Tandy’s hosted a raffle to help raise money for the Miller Place Robotics Team 514.

The team raffled off an autographed New York Jets football, donated by Symbio, a family owned business of Rich and Rose Panico of Miller Place. Parents sold the tickets in their lobby during Jets games and the raffle was held at halftime during the Super Bowl.

"I would like to extend our appreciation to Billy and Courtenay [managers of Napper Tandy’s] for providing us with this opportunity," said Booster Club President Nancy Arnold. "They were very accommodating and gave us a tremendous opportunity for raising the funds needed to support our Robotics program."

Since the school district pays solely for the coach’s stipends, the costs for the competitions, materials and parts are the responsibility of the Robotics team and their parents. According to Arnold, these expenses are on average a minimum of $7,000.

James Martin of Middle Island was the lucky one who purchased the winning raffle ticket back in November. The team was able to raise $2,274 from the raffle.

"This was a huge amount for us and will allow the team to participate in a second competition," Arnold said. "This is the first time Team 514 will participate in two competitions in the six years that I have been involved; in part due to money limitations."