2nd Annual Fundraiser Planned in Spencer's Memory

It's been a year since he's gone, but Spencer Reis' memory lives on in the heart of the community.

The death of the young Plainview JFK freshman a year ago this week was felt hard by those who knew him. His father, Jeff Reis, said the Yarhzeit prayer at the Plainview Jewish Center in his memory. The special Kaddish prayer is recited on the anniversary of a loved one's death.

Others marked the week with prayer and remembrances.

One of those is Plainview's Zach Lewis who has spearheaded the second annual fundraiser in Spencer's honor, scheduled for Monday, April 8. The event, from 11 a.m. until closing today, will be held at Plainview's a popular Plainview JFK hangout bursting with yogurt treats.

"This year, the proceeds will be used to keep Spencer's memory alive through a scholarship awarded to a POB senior," said Lewis.

Spencer was a 9th grade student at Plainview JFK last year who lost his battle with cancer one year ago this week. 

Catch the Wave will donate 50 percent of the gross sales for the entire day to this fund. 

The Sophomore class held a similar fundraiser last year on the day after Spencer’s death that raised over $5,000 for the Reis family. The event was organized by Lewis, who has been the grade president for the past two years and was a classmate of Spencer’s for many years.

The continued effort by Lewis was not lost on the Reis family:

Zach's "maturity and love for Spencer and our family, and your presistence for everything that your do, impresses me immensely," Jeff Reis said. "Continue to be yourself, and you will go as far as your aspirations.  See you on the 8th at Catch the Wave."