In 2004, Patrick Michael D’Aliso, a 16 year-old Sophomore at Monroe-Woodbury High School in Central Valley, NY was already an accomplished wrestler. A varsity member since he was in Eighth Grade, Patrick excelled with a career record of 75 – 29. In 2003, as a Freshman, he was crowned the New York Section 9 Champion at 140 lbs. and traveled to the State Championships in Syracuse, NY to compete. Patrick’s incredible work ethic was apparent to all around him in the wrestling community. He was a respected wrestler throughout the state of New York and nationally ranked as one of the best Sophomore wrestlers in the country.

Patrick’s determination and dedication was apparent off the wrestling mat as well. He was an honor student and Treasurer of the Sophomore class. Patrick was involved in multiple extra-curricular activities such as Student Government, Teen Outreach, Interact and Habitat for Humanity.

On May 19, 2004 we lost Patrick to suicide. Two scholarships will be available each year to graduating Senior wrestlers in Orange County, NY, who will be attending accredited four-year colleges or universities. A scholarship of $3,500 will be awarded to a Monroe-Woodbury wrestler and a second $1,500 scholarship to another Section 9, NY wrestler.

The Patrick M. D’Aliso Foundation has donated thousands of dollars to accredited suicide awareness and prevention organizations such as the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and The Jason Foundation, Inc. In 2006, the PMD Foundation conducted a mass mailing of Ask4Help cards to 10,000 households in our community. Created by the Yellow Ribbon Organization, these cards are a “voice” for the youth when they cannot find the words to say, “I need help”. The cards also feature a 1-800 crisis number. This year, the PMD Foundation mailed every high school in Orange County, NY a copy of Eternal High, a DVD about a teenager who captured his true-life battle with depression and suicide. Equipped with a discussion guide, this DVD is an excellent resource & tool enabling anyone including teenagers, parents and teachers to discuss depression and suicide openly and thus erasing the stigma that still exists today.

Additionally, the PMD Foundation has also started the first support group for survivors of suicide in Orange County, NY that meets monthly offering a safe haven for people who have lost a loved one to suicide.

Please join us in the fight to educate our community and keep our children informed and safe.