Martella Family, United Way Of Long Island Announce Scott Martella Memorial Scholarship Fund

LongIsland.com

Martella, Former Suffolk County Spokesman and Governor Cuomo Aide, was Killed in a Tragic Accident on the Long Island Expressway One Year Ago Today.

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Albany, NY - August 21, 2017 - The Martella family and United Way of Long Island today launched the Scott Martella Memorial Scholarship Fund. The Fund will provide scholarships to low-income students who will be attending college whose studies may include international relations or public relations.  
 
In addition, a yearly community service project will be held in conjunction with the scholarship fund and in coordination with Smithtown Central School District. The school district will create a series of service learning projects for students that will run from October 2017 - May 2018. The project will partner with United Veterans Beacon House, a nonprofit partner agency of United Way, to work together on a host of activities such as painting, planting a garden, landscaping, and more.  
 
"Scott believed in the awesome power of public service," said Stacy and Steve Martella. "We hope to keep his legacy alive by giving future leaders the same chance Scott had in pursuing a college education."
 
"Scott was a dear friend and supporter of the United Way of Long Island," said Theresa Regnante, President & CEO, United Way of Long Island. "We are honored to host this scholarship fund to ensure Scott's passion for public service and desire to make college education more affordable for all be passed on to future generations."
 
"Scott was known across Long Island as a leader and a great man, and we feel his loss every day," said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. "The hundreds of people Scott worked with over the years and the thousands of people whose lives he has positively impacted would describe him as nothing short of an amazing person. Scott's nameplate still hangs outside of his office in the H. Lee Dennison Building as an enduring symbol of his commitment to making Suffolk County a better place."
 
Charitable contributions to The Scott Martella Memorial Scholarship Fund can be made online here.  
 
All donations made by check should be written to include The Scott Martella Memorial Scholarship Fund on the envelope as well as the memo section. Checks should be made payable to:
 
United Way of Long Island
819 Grand Blvd.
Deer Park, NY 11729
 
Scott was a devoted fiancé, loving son, caring brother, loyal friend, committed public servant, remarkable mentor, diehard New York sports fan, avid marathoner, theater lover, and - by all accounts - a man of remarkable talent.  He was also a rising star in the New York State government and the political sphere.
 
Before the age of 30, Scott had already begun to assemble a list of extraordinary career accomplishments that included being the youngest member in the history of the Smithtown Central School District Board, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo's Suffolk County representative, and most recently Communication Director under Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone.
 
A life-long resident of Smithtown, Scott graduated from Boston University in 2008, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Business and Economics. He then earned a Master of Arts at Columbia University, graduating in 2014 with a degree in Politics and Education.