Number of Participants: 70
Hours Donated: 8
Value of Time Served: $19,482
Event Amount Raised: $20,000
Event Type: Children & Youth
Activity: Schools
School: Clarkstown North Senior High School
Date: May 4, 2026
Location:
Clarkstown North High School
Congers Road, New City
NY
About:
For more than a decade, the Clarkstown North High School softball program has been making a meaningful impact through its partnership with the Hudson Valley chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Since 2013, the program has hosted an annual fundraiser, awareness campaign, and charity softball game dedicated to supporting children facing critical illnesses. This year’s Make-A-Wish Week, held May 4–8, once again united the school community around a cause rooted in compassion, generosity, and hope.
The annual charity matchup between Clarkstown North and Clarkstown South served as the centerpiece of the week, bringing together students, families, and supporters to help make wishes come true. While Clarkstown South earned an 8-0 victory on the field, the true winner was the Hudson Valley Make-A-Wish Foundation and the children and families it supports.
This year’s event carried special meaning as North senior and Wish Kid Carlos “Coca” Bernard attended the game and helped run the donation and awareness table. Diagnosed with leukemia in 2021, Bernard used his own wish to launch the Coca Strong 5K/10K Run, an inspiring event that will hold its second annual race on August 2.
From selling bracelets and popsicles to organizing fundraising efforts throughout the week, Clarkstown North softball players have embraced the opportunity to use athletics as a platform for service and community engagement. Their dedication has helped raise nearly $20,000 for Make-A-Wish since the initiative began, while also inspiring other softball programs across Rockland and Westchester counties to take part in the charity game tradition.
“From the beginning, I wanted North’s softball team to be able to give back in some way,” said coach Dan Gartshore. “And it’s been really well-received by the community.”
The program’s continued commitment reflects the powerful role student-athletes can play in creating positive change through teamwork, leadership, and giving back.
For more information on the Coca Strong 5K/10K Run, visit:
Coca Strong 5K & 10K – Hope in Every Step_
