MASSENA -- The New York State School Boards Association honored Massena Central for their "Make a Difference Day."

The event, which takes place in the fall, has volunteer high school athletes doing raking and yard work for elderly and disabled people in the community.

Patrick Longo, a NYSSBA member relations official, presented Massena Athletic Director Gavin Regan with a banner to hang in the school. The award was through NYSSBA's "Champions of Change" program, which Longo said is aimed at drawing attention to positive events at New York state schools.

"This is unsolicited. We kind of look out for programs ... across the state," he said.

Jeffrey Slack, a Massena Central teacher and coach and the son of the "Make a Difference Day" founder, Martha Long Slack, read a statement she wrote. Retired Massena teacher and former athletic director Martha Slack was out of the area and not able to attend.

"[Make a Difference Day] was born out of a desire to thank a community who has always had the back of our Red Raider athletes," Jeffrey Slack read from his mother's statement. "Massena was always there for us and I felt coaches and athletes needed to give back in one small way."

"It adds to the pride and traditions that have always surrounded the Red Raiders."

Several coaches and student players attended the meeting for the recognition. They included Coach Maggie Farrell with Anna Thompson, Olivia Morrell and Ieronhenehtha Lazore; Coach Ryan Hayes with Lindsey Ladue and Kylie Letham; and coaches Taylor Zappia and Jim Morrell with Zach Austin and Ethan Miller.