This is our story.
On April 23rd, 2010, just one week after her fourteenth birthday, the DiPalma family experienced a tragedy. On that beautiful Friday morning, Brooke was dropped off at middle school by her father, Joseph DiPalma. Joey was a man who was always smiling, laughing, and was very involved in the community. On her way out of the car, her father said, “I Love You” and she said, “I Love You” back. Little did she know, only hours later, she would be taken out of school and told that her father died by suicide. Brought home to a scene nobody should ever see, she felt let down, lost, and unsure of where to turn.
Just one month and a day before the DiPalma family lost the glue that bonded their family, West Islip lost a high school senior to suicide also. Both these suicides brought the town together and made each person realize just how truly precious life is. However, “Tragedy should not be the force for togetherness; Togetherness should be the force that ends tragedies.”
Seven months later, as Brooke was thinking about what she had faced, she remembered the last three words her father said to her, “I Love You.” Brooke took those three words and with the help of her high school’s class club and family, she created P.S. I Love You Day.
P.S. I Love You Day is held every second Friday of February, making our next celebration on February 14, 2025. On this day we ask everyone to wear purple to stand up against bullying, help end depression, and ultimately prevent suicide. We hope that on this day you walk around your community, school, or work office and see a sea of purple. We hope that you hear nothing but positive messages that make you feel special, loved, and remind you, that you are never alone.
Our Team
Directors
Brooke DiPalma
Director
Jaimie DiPalma
Director
2025 Student Ambassadors
Take the initiative to spread the love!
If you would like to be a student ambassador for your school, please fill out this form.