The school district recently hosted PJ Madness, a basketball tournament for students and teachers, organized by ELVHS science teacher Mr. Charles Hafner. Along with friendly competition, a message of strength and inspiration grew from the event that raised thousands of dollars for an organization devoted to helping people living with cancer. Mr. Hafner shared the story of Mr. Matthew DiStefano, a Suffolk County teacher who succumbed to kidney cancer recently and whose spirit and message of “We Get To” was shared throughout the district. Port Jefferson Middle School teachers Mrs. Deirdre Filippi and Mrs. Jeannette Garofola took the message to their colleagues and students, and proceeds from the tournament, T-shirts and other donations totaling $5,368 was donated to his namesake organization, the DezyStrong Foundation, a nonprofit that helps support and encourage those living with a life-threatening disease. “It is heartwarming when a school community comes together to support an initiative of this caliber,” Superintendent of Schools Mrs. Jessica Schmettan said. “It not only shows the character of our staff and students, it reinforces Mr. DiStefano’s message of living each day to the fullest.”