National Service Award for Roslyn Middle School Student

Cole Faller and Principal Craig Johanson

Roslyn Middle School seventh-grader Cole Faller was selected as New York's top Middle Level Youth Volunteer in the 2016 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism.

Cole helped start an annual community-wide flag football event called "Go Long For Luke," that has raised nearly $50,000 over the past three years to support young people with autism. When Cole was in fourth grade, he participated as a mentor in an after-school program for kids with special needs, and became good friends with an autistic boy named Luke. "Luke has autism," Cole said at the time. "It's okay, autism is just a different way of thinking."

Cole teamed up with his twin brother, Jesse, Luke's twin sister, Sophie, and their parents to organize the event. The first year around 100 kids participated, raising several thousand dollars. The event grew the next year, and the New York Jets honored Jesse and Cole. The third annual "Go Long For Luke" took place in September and 147 kids participated. Hundreds of spectators showed up, and a DJ, photo booth, and carnival games provided additional entertainment. In total, the event raised over $25,000. Much of the money will be used to help establish group homes for young adults with autism who have aged out of the school system.

As a State Honoree, Cole will receive $1,000, an engraved silver medallion and an all-expense-paid trip in early May to Washington, DC, where he will join the top two honorees from each of the other states and the District of Columbia for four days of national recognition events. During the trip, 10 students will be named America's top youth volunteers of 2016.

Cole also qualified for the President's Volunteer Service Award, which recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country.  He will be receiving a President's Volunteer Service Award certificate and a letter from President Barack Obama.