Long Island schools fundraiser in memory of slain Parkland teacher

NEW YORK (FOX5NY.COM) - An online fundraiser has a goal of protecting Long Island schools. The organizer of the GoFundMe campaign, Jason Martello, is starting in the Half Hollow Hills School District in honor of Scott Beigel, his childhood friend and a teacher at Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida. Biegel was killed while heroically protecting his students in the recent massacre.

"He was a great kid. It just hit home when it happened and I wanted to do something," Martello said. "This is where I went, this is where Scott went and that's why I picked it. My parents still live here and I'm going to have kids one day in the district."

Martello said he and Beigel met in Hebrew school when they were 10 and both graduated from Half Hollow Hills East. Although they hadn't spoken in years, Martello, who owns a social media company, felt compelled to use his resources to do something. He said he has received hundreds of emails from people he has never met who want to help.

Many parents who have children in the district are on board.

While the district isn't specifying exactly how the money will be used, a spokesperson said the donations will help supplement school security.