LONG ISLAND, NY – The W20 Foundation’s TeamUp4Community program proudly congratulated the winners of the 2024 L.I. Holiday Sports Heroes Video Challenge, celebrating outstanding community service initiatives by local student-athletes. This year’s challenge saw remarkable participation with 36,429 athletes contributing 198,831 hours of community service, generating an economic impact of $1,859,879.
The winners were honored at their schools this past January, where they received their awards.
First Place: Calhoun Connections “Building Community, Inclusion, and Peer Bonds Through Athletics”
The Bellmore Merrick Central High School District’s innovative program united over 85 Varsity and JV athletes with 50 students with disabilities through their groundbreaking Club. The initiative created meaningful partnerships between Varsity, JV, and Challenger athletes, fostering an inclusive athletic environment that extends beyond the playing field. The program included weekly skills development sessions with multiple sports teams, including Girls Soccer, Girls Tennis, Boys Volleyball, Girls Basketball, and Varsity Kickline. A highlight of their success was the fall Challenger Soccer season, where Varsity and JV athletes served as mentors and supporters, creating lasting bonds that transformed into a vibrant, supportive community. The program’s impact extended beyond athletics, inspiring DECA participants to select Challenger Sports for their community service project and engaging in district-wide initiatives like the Community Cupboard collection drive.
Second Place: Middle Country Varsity Hoops “Hoops for Hope”
Inspired by personal experience, Coach Andrew Gallo and his team transformed their basketball court into a platform of hope and support. The initiative, born during Coach Gallo’s wife’s chemotherapy treatment, united both sides of the Middle Country district – Centerreach and Newfield – in a powerful fundraising effort. Players and coaches sold one-dollar basketball pledges honoring those affected by breast cancer, with pledges proudly displayed on the gym walls during their game. The team’s efforts raised $4,000 for Positively Pink, an organization that provides $700-valued care baskets to women undergoing chemotherapy or mastectomy surgery. This inspiring initiative showcased how a team’s personal connection to a cause, combined with athletic spirit, can rally an entire community and create lasting change for those battling breast cancer.
Third Place: Longwood Cheerleaders “Tuck for a Buck” Fundraiser
The Junior High, Junior Varsity, and Varsity cheerleading squads transformed October home football games into powerful fundraising events for breast cancer awareness. Armed with pink pom poms, the teams performed back tucks and back handsprings for every dollar donated, creating an interactive and energetic fundraising experience that engaged the entire community. Their innovative approach raised over $1,000 for Long Island-based breast cancer research foundations, demonstrating how athletic talent can be channeled into meaningful community impact.
“This year’s Holiday Challenge showcased the extraordinary commitment of our youth athletes to community service,” said Steve Webb, Founder of the W20 Foundation. “The winning projects demonstrate how sports can be a powerful catalyst for positive change in our communities.”
For more information about the winning projects and to view their videos, visit www.teamup4community.org.