Riverhead Patch: Andrew McMorris Foundation's Gala Honors Scout Killed By Drunk Driver

by Lisa Finn | link to original article

September 22, 2023

LONG ISLAND, NY — Once again, an event will take place to honor a Boy Scout killed in 2018 when a drunk driver plowed into their troop — and keep his memory alive forever through a rich legacy of giving back.

In memory of their precious boy, who loved nothing more than soaring through the sky and dreamt of flying planes, the Andrew McMorris Foundation's 5th Annual Gala will take place Friday, September 29, at the Cradle of Aviation from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m

"The event will honor the life of Andrew McMorris who was killed by a drunk driver, while raising funds for scholarships and grants, education and advocacy to stop this 100 percent preventable crime," his parents John and Alisa said.

The Foundation was created in memory of Andrew, 12, who was killed by a drunk driver while hiking with his Boy Scout Troop 161 in Manorville in September 2018.

The Andrew McMorris Foundation uses funds raised from events to award scholarships and grants to young people, and to continue to raise awareness to the dangers of drunk and drugged driving.

This past June, the Foundation was able to award more than 40 scholarships and grants totaling over $20,000 to young people.

"The scholarships and grants support young people who have similar passions as Andrew, such as music, aeronautics, scouting and art," his family said.

The event, a "one of a kind, fun-filled celebration," is inspired by Andrew’s love of World War II airplanes, organizers said. In addition, guests "will enjoy a trip back in time to the Stage Door Canteen with a 1940s flair. Andrew’s parents, John and Alisa, have put their son’s fun-loving spirit into every element of the event, from the beverages by Mingle Mocktails, to the menu choices by Phillip Stone Caterers, to the set list by One More Once Jazz Ensemble who’ll be headlining the evening with Big Band Favorites," organizers said.

Students from the Rider University Musical Theater program, where Andrew’s sister Arianna is a senior, will be performing, along with Carter Rubin, winner of NBC’s The Voice Season 19 and other surprise guests.

This year’s gala takes place "on the 5-year anniversary of the day Andrew was taken from us," his parents John and Alisa said. "We weren’t done parenting Andrew, so we have put our pain to purpose and our grief to action by parenting his legacy. This evening we are honoring Andrew’s life and his love of aviation and hope you can join us as we celebrate the life he lived by raising funds for his foundation."

This year, Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon will be honored — as well as New York State Senator Anthony Palumbo and Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio, who will be spotlighted for introducing Andrew’s Law.

Andrew's Law, is a bill sponsored by Palumbo and Giglio "to correct longstanding inequalities and inequities as it relates to victims of violent offenses that result in serious physical injury and/or death, including mass casualty incidents where multiple or numerous people are maimed, seriously injured, and/or killed by the use of a vehicle," the legislation states.

Volunteers of the Year include In Focus LTD's Gabrielle Marazzo and Douglas Simpkins, for capturing the foundation's events in pictures, and the Cintorino and Coogan families, for providing music and table decor.

"The Andrew McMorris Foundation was established to create a lasting legacy of giving, kindness, and leadership on behalf of an amazing child who will never grow old enough to do so himself," members of the foundation said. "Our mission is to honor the life of Andrew McMorrisby creating opportunities for education, scholarships, advocacy, and change that make a meaningful impact on the lives of others."

Earlier this year, it was an emotional day for Andrew's family, long shattered by grief, as they saw victory in their fight for justice in their son's name: An appeal was denied for the driver who was convicted by a jury of driving drunk and killing Boy Scout Andrew.

Thomas Murphy, of Holbrook, was found guilty on all counts in 2019 and received the maximum sentence of eight and one-third to 25 years in prison in 2020. He sought to have that verdict overturned in his appeal.

Speaking with Patch, after that appeal was denied, Alisa McMorris, Andrew's mother, added: "On behalf of John, Alisa and Arianna McMorris along with the Lane and Lynch families, including Thomas and Denis Lane and Kayden Lynch and all the Scout families affected by this horrific and preventable crash — we are relieved to have the appellate decision today.

"Andrew was taken too soon from this lif,e and it is sometimes hard to find the right words. And when we find ourselves stuck, we are reminded of the words spoken at Andrew’s funeral. 'This is not how it should be, this is not how it could be, but this is how it is.' Our heart still aches every day because Andrew should still be here."

She added: "Today’s decision put an end to an enormous weight that we have been living with. We hope now that we may move forward in our grief journey. Let it be a reminder that our choices have consequences. There are no winners. We have all lost. Ours has been a life sentence with the loss of our sweet, beautiful boy. We hope that this decision will strengthen our vehicular laws and propel us forward to making meaningful changes in our sons name and parenting his legacy together."

To purchase tickets to the event, click here.