Number of Participants: 20
Hours Donated: 8
Value of Time Served: $1,352
Event Type: Children & Youth
Sport: Ice Hockey
Date: November 21, 2018
Location:
Ice Works
Underhill Boulevard, Syosset
NY
About:
Our NCDC Jr Islanders was busy in the month of November collecting food for Maryhaven Center of Hope Food Pantry!
During their November home games, the Junior Islanders hosted a food drive to benefit and support the Maryhaven Center of Hope Food Pantry. As a token of gratitude for their generosity, fans who went to the games with a donation of a canned food item, received a PAL Junior Islanders grocery bag in return. The bag also serves a reminder to recycle, reuse, and re-purpose – reinforcing the message that the PAL Junior Islanders also take being eco-conscious very seriously.
All their hard work paid off and they were able to collect enough food to feed 75 families for Thanksgiving!
A much loved former PAL Junior Islanders team member, Brandon Bussi, has a brother who was a resident of Maryhaven, until last year. Knowing how much Brandon loves his brother, and all that Maryhaven has done for him, the PAL Junior Islanders were inspired to honor both Brandon and his brother by “paying it forward” through this food drive. In addition to undertaking this generous effort, the PAL Junior Islanders also wanted to bring the donations to Maryhaven themselves. Sister Cathy Smith, from Maryhaven’s Pastoral Care dept., was a much welcomed addition to the effort, as she was able to share a blessing with the team. When the team learned that Maryhaven’s food pantry helps provide between 70 and 75 bags of food each month to those in need, the team’s Alternate Captain Michael Perrone of Mt. Sinai said, “We wanted to do something to help those who need it. If we can use our games as a way of raising awareness, that is what we will do.” Maryhaven’s food pantry assists anyone, whether they reside their or not, including their staff members in need, and the greater community at large.