DONE!!  What a terrific day.  Hundreds of families volunteered their time to make our 2010 event a success.  The backpacks are on their way to 25 destinations and will be distributed to students within days.  Thanks to everyone who took part in our event. Thanks to our donors, sponsors, partners, volunteers. Thanks to our "enthusiasts" - people who bring their friends into our organization, get their co-workers involved and think of ways to help more people throughout the year.  Thanks to friends, old and new who support our efforts.  And thanks to all of the young HOTSHOTS who, once again, worked tirelessly to benefit other kids. Heroes - all of them.

Winner: $200 Gift Certificate to Valley Eyes - Jackie Civitello (Jackie is a teacher in Uniondale and we are happy to help 100 of her most needy students with backpacks!

Winner: Whitey Ford signed baseball - Nick Agriogianis (Nick provided pick up and delivery of almost 2 tons of notebooks on the night before our event!)

 Winner:  Coach Bag, Coach towel and Coach sunglasses -  Lorraine Smith (Lorraine and her family have been Project HOTSHOTS members since the very inception and continue to be proud supporters of our efforts!)

Congratulations to all of our winners! 

   BACKPACK ITEM SPONSORSHIP

$250 Level: (2 sponsors each)

Erasers - HyperDrive Editorial, Inc., Canzoneri & Canzoneri
Sharpeners - Dr. Joseph Brofsky, Pediatric Dentist   
Folders - Lynbrook North Middle School Teachers' Association
Pencils - PlazaMarineFuel.com   
Pens  - The Agriogianis Family of Malverne, NY, Wilson Family of Malverne, NY  
Rulers - The Sabini Family of Malverne, NY  
Glue 
Bookmarks
Backpack Bonuses


$500 Level:  (2 sponsors each)

Notebooks - Lynbrook North Middle School Teachers' Association
Crayons - Krell Family, Oceanside
Calculator - "Show Me A Sign" Custom Signs 
Coloring Books
Scissors - Word Wise, Inc.   
Highlighters - Silbers Martial Arts, Franklin Square


$750 Level:  (2 sponsors each)

Dictionary - Word Wise, Inc., Catlin Insurance


$5000 Level:

Backpacks - O'Sullivan Children Foundation

Backpack Item Sponsors are recognized in several ways:

1) here on projectHOTSHOTS.org until next year's event   

2)  in all mass e-mailings  to over 2,000 recipients from now until the end of the year  

3)  in large full color banners at the Backpack event  attended by hundreds of families

4)  in front of the sponsored item as the young HOTSHOTS fill the backpacks.

5) in full color handouts given to each family that attends

6)  in all print media in which we are featured.

7)  signage at all fundraisers and events

 

Sponsor a Classroom of 20 students for $200

Classroom sponsors are recognized:

1) here on projectHOTSHOTS.org until next year's event   

2)  in all mass e-mailings  to over 2,000 recipients from now until the end of the year  

3)  in large full color banners at the Backpack event  attended by hundreds of families

That's what we did in 2007... our first  Backpack event...Operation: 1,000 Backpacks 2007

I was stunned to learn how much of an impact one backpack made on a young man. According to the school administrator, when the BPs were distributed to youngsters in the Bronx last August, one 6th grade boy didn't understand.  This young man, I was told, has been bounced around from foster home to foster home his whole life and did not have the ability or capacity to comprehend someone doing something nice for him...for NOTHING IN RETURN! That had never happened to him before...EVER!

I was told that before he received his Backpack, he was quite introverted and always sad.  He became fascinated with the idea that there are kind people out here. He asked a question, then another, then 20 or 30 more. The teachers and counselors were amazed by his curiosity. He now takes part in all activities, has become pretty popular and is happy for the first time in his life!

Imagine me when I received the phone call telling me this.  "Do you want to know whose name was on the luggage tag?" I was asked.  "No, that's unimportant. This belongs to every one of us", I replied.

Even if the other 999 Backpacks got kicked aside and never used, all of our hard work was worth it. I wonder how many other stories there are like that one.