The Breezy Point Star: Local 11-year-old gives back to the true heroes

March 8, 2017 Jaime DeJesus

Photo courtsesy of Nolan Keegan

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He’s giving back to the true heroes!

Eleven-year-old Nolan Keegan, currently a sixth grader at Holy Angels Catholic Academy, has a passion for giving back to wounded or fallen officers, soldiers and firefighters.

Can you talk about your community service and how you got into it?

I helped out the Wounded Warriors for my school and I raised $3,000. I made flyers for my school and gave them out. A lot of kids gave some money. I started when I was in the third grade.

I’ve done the Steven Siller, Michael Murphy and Hoban Runs. I’ve collected money for Steve Siller Foundation and have done Wreaths Across America where you put wreaths down on soldiers’ graves during Christmas time.

I also did a blue dress down for Police Officer Brian Moore who was killed in the line of duty. I am currently writing thank-you notes to veterans with my class.

How does it make you feel to give back?

It feels very good because I’m helping people who are real heroes. It’s for someone who puts their life on the line like firemen, cops, military members.

What inspires you do it and who are your inspirations?

I want to become a Navy Seal when I get older so I always want to help out these type of people. I’m really into the military so I think of those people in the hospital that are hurt and need help.

It was all really my idea. My mom would help me raise money and stuff. I would go to her and say I want to help but how should I do it? At first, I didn’t know how to do it.

What inspires me to do it is there are people out there who have no limbs and they do need help. Some people take everything for granted and it makes me think, ‘Wow. These people need a lot of help.’ Someone who I look up to is Michael Murphy, who was a Navy Seal who got killed in the line of duty so whenever I want to help more, I think of people like him.

Brought to you courtesy of the Breezy Point Surf Club (718-634-2500; nybreezypoint.com) and the Silver Gull Beachclub (718-634-1500; nysilvergull.com).