PEOPLE'S ARC RELEASE
NEWS12 COVERAGE
LONG ISLAND MEDIA GROUP RELEASE
BOHEMIA, N.Y. | Farmingdale State Head Men's Lacrosse Coach
Sean Chamberlain has been named the 2026 Candlelight Ball honoree by
People's Arc of Suffolk, recognizing more than two decades of community service and outreach to students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Staff and students at the People's Arc of Suffolk Educare Center in Bohemia surprised Coach Chamberlain with the news during a special visit on Wednesday, April 15th. Students gathered with green and white pom-poms and held a handmade sign asking Coach Chamberlain if he would be their 2026 Candlelight Ball honoree.
The request was also delivered through an adaptive switch device that played a recorded "Will you be our honoree?" message. Chamberlain responded by pressing another button that said "yes," prompting cheers and applause from the students and staff.
Chamberlain has brought members of Farmingdale State's men's lacrosse program to the Educare Center for more than 20 years, organizing visits that include holiday toy drives, bringing Santa Claus to spread cheer, and even arranging therapy horse visits for students to interact with.
The team's longstanding commitment to community service was recognized in 2025 when they received the Farmingdale State College Student Club Community Service Award, presented annually to the student organization that most demonstrates outstanding service to the campus and local community.
The 2026 Candlelight Ball, the largest annual fundraiser for the People's Arc of Suffolk, will take place on October 15th and supports programs benefiting the students at the Educare Center.
