Bayport Youth Donates 1,800 Coloring Books to Sick Children

Bayport resident Jake June was treated in December for the stomach flu at Stony Brook Long Island Children's Hospital. On Monday, the six-year-old boy returned to the hospital – though not as a patient.

“Because they took care of me, it’s time for me to pay them back,” said Jake, a first-grader at Academy Street Elementary School.

Jake thought of an idea for a fundraiser: He and his family sold home-brewed iced tea and home-baked cookies at his father's business, All Pro Sports Academy in Bellport, on March 2. His fundraiser yielded $275 in donations, which was used to purchase 1,800 coloring books that Jake donated on Monday to the hospital's pediatric emergency department for other kids who are treated there.

“We’re just so proud of him. It came out of nowhere on his own. He just wanted to repay the favor that was done for him,” Jake's father, Scott June, said.

Sean Flynn, a 10-year-old patient in the pediatric emergency department, said he was impressed and inspired by Jake's actions.

“I think it’s very cool,” Sean said. “I think it’s remarkable a six-year-old boy has a dream to help people. It’s very generous to raise money and then use it all to help other people.”