Friends,
A few updates:
The weather has been perfect for the last four Monday nights for our Soccer Clinic, so let’s continue to keep our fingers crossed! So far, today looks ok. Over 100 children have registered, and an average of 90 come to play every week. Special thanks to the outreach center volunteer coaches, as they have really made this clinic a success. We have three large fields which are being used by the older boys and girls who play hard; this year, we have over 27 older girls playing every Monday, more than any prior year. This is a great community event and a net win for all; the cops have great interaction with the players and their parents, and Deputy Supervisor and Councilman Tony Martinez make sure the fields and bathrooms are in perfect shape for us.
I received a text from Kelly Urena, the Wyandanch School District Social Worker, asking for prom dresses and tuxedo suits. It’s that time of year, and I know the girls are excited about Prom, and many are still looking for a dress. If you have any, please let me know; a dress can make a young lady’s night! We will also accept boys/men suits and shoes for the gentlemen. As Kelly signs off her emails with a quote from James Baldwin “For these are all our children, we will all profit by or pay for what they become”.
The Golf outing planning and preparation are in full swing, and we are almost there, the 50/50 is now over $3000 so that will be fun when it gets to $4,000! Historically, over 40% of our campers are homeless, shelter, foster, or children living in the custody of a grandparent – who would not be able to otherwise afford summer camp.
We received a huge donation of non-perishable food from the Church of Latter Day Saints! Special thanks also to Mike Ryan Jr. from LandTek Group for arranging to have a 40-foot container delivered within 24 hours, and to Covanta for supplying a forklift, a pallet jack, as well as 9 men to help move the pallets. On average, we are providing food to 1,200 people every month.
The Outreach Center Diaper (and wipes) Program is a critical help to the community and is humming along. We also host a Baby Cafe, a breastfeeding support group, in partnership with Northwell, and this initiative is starting to gain traction.
Thank you,
Joe
