A brother and sister who attend Sayville Middle School have been honored for their volunteer work with special-needs children over the past three years.

Tim and Jaclyn Kanaley received the 2015 Sea of Love Award from the Miracle League of Long Island, a baseball league that strives to help children with special needs develop social skills and increase self-esteem.

The two worked as "buddies" who help the league's players bat, field and run the bases during a series of games held on six Saturdays both in the spring and the fall of each year.

"It's very fulfilling," said Tim, 14, an eighth-grader. "I just think it's great for the children to be able to participate in sports. Seeing them smile, it's just really awesome."

He and Jaclyn, who is in seventh grade, were honored at the league's Snowball Gala, held at the Stonebridge Golf Links & Country Club in Smithtown.

One of Tim's buddies has been a boy named Nicholas, 12, who has cerebral palsy. One of Jaclyn's buddies has been Brittany, 16, who rarely speaks.

Tim is a black belt in karate and a member of Sayville's varsity swimming team. Jaclyn is on Sayville's cheerleading, basketball and softball teams.

On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Gregg Sarra and Matt Lindsay  recap all the state wrestling action from Albany this past weekend, plus Jared Valluzzi has the ice hockey championship results from Binghamton. Credit: Newsday

Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 25: Wrestling and hockey state championships On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Gregg Sarra and Matt Lindsay recap all the state wrestling action from Albany this past weekend, plus Jared Valluzzi has the ice hockey championship results from Binghamton.

On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Gregg Sarra and Matt Lindsay  recap all the state wrestling action from Albany this past weekend, plus Jared Valluzzi has the ice hockey championship results from Binghamton. Credit: Newsday

Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 25: Wrestling and hockey state championships On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Gregg Sarra and Matt Lindsay recap all the state wrestling action from Albany this past weekend, plus Jared Valluzzi has the ice hockey championship results from Binghamton.

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