Walk to raise money for young musician

A young man from Huntington Station whose academic career was once jeopardized by his father's murder is again benefiting from the kindness of strangers moved by his story.

Denis Caceres, 20, was with his father, Geremias, when three men shot him dead outside the family's home during a robbery in January 2010. As a result of the murder and loss of his income, his family struggled financially. Denis Caceres' plans to study music at Nassau Community College got put on hold.

Caceres, who wants to teach music, was able to return to school at the beginning of this semester thanks to money raised by people enlisted by Andrea Miller of Northport, but there was no guarantee he'd be able to stay in school beyond the end of this school year.

Now another group, led by Ginger Hoernig of Huntington Station, plans to raise money for Caceres at its annual Good Faith Walk on Friday.

"We do it every year for various causes," said Hoernig, who has organized the walks for 17 years. For her, raising money for Caceres was an easy call, she said.

"He's just a delightful young man," she said. She first encountered him after his father's murder, when her group Angels On Call adopted the family and ensured they had a proper Christmas that year.

"She's another person who's been helping us a lot," Caceres said.

He said he and his family continue to struggle, but that things are better than they would have been without the help of people like Hoernig and Miller.

The walk takes place at noon at the Walt Whitman High School track in South Huntington. Participants can contribute by cash or check.