Hoops That Help Scores Big for Winthrop Child Life Program

Georgette Brown,Mike Kelly, Debbie Weber, Joanne Adams, Jennifer Miller, Tom Pecora, Suzanne Eigl, Kelley Watts, Jim Cosgrove, Michael Kerr, John Skramko, Larrry Steimer, and Howie Frajberg

A great time was had by all who attended the first ever Hoops That Help charity basketball event. Twigs of Winthrop University Hospital along with Garden City Basketball, and Adelphi University came together for a basketball clinic, Hoops That Help to benefit the Winthrop University Hospital's Child Life Program. Adelphi University's Athletic Department generously donated the use of the gym and the expertise of their coaches and players to conduct the clinics for the kids.

We thank you all for generously donating your time and talent. In attendance as our fabulous volunteers to coach the clinics were:

John Skramko, President of Garden City Basketball, who was a driving force in organizing and conducting this fabulous event, Jim Cosgrove, Asst. Athletic Director/ Head Coach, and Mike Kerr Assistant Coach of Adelphi University's Panthers Men's Basketball Team, Kelley Watts, Asst. Athletic Director/Head Coach, and Donna Lohrey, Assistant Coach of Adelphi University's Panthers Women's Basketball Team. There were also many players from both the men's and women's teams, including: Ashley Andrews, Jordan Gambino, Valentina Ionova, Serita Lee, Mary Lepore, Lisa Manetta, Hunter Marek, Megan McDonnell, Beth Mendiera, Dana Perrsen, Christina Rivera, Gianna Smith, Jasmine Travers, Caitlin Wetmorr, Kimani Blaize, Mike Mosby, Sam Jenkins Donnell Cummings, Tom Paul, Steffon, Farley, Oppong Agyemang, Sky Khaleel, Alvin Vivican, Matt Pink, Anthony Noble, and El Pogorelskiy

Special guests for the day included: Tom Pecora, Head Coach and Mike Kelly, Asst. Coach of Hofstra University's Men's Basketball Team, Larry Steimer, Varsity Coach of Garden City High School Men's Team, and Howie Frajberg, Varsity Coach of Valley Stream North's Men's Team.

All of the coaches and players stressed the importance of "good sportsmanship" when you are playing a team sport. Tom Pecora spoke to the kids about having a good attitude and just doing the best you can when you play.

Suzanne Eigl, Chairperson Twigs Child Life Program and one of the organizers of this event said, "I could not have been happier with how this event turned out!" Special thanks to Debra Weber and Joanne Adams, Co-Chairs for their tireless hours spent on this event and to the rest of the committee, Marcia Matzelle, Registration Chair; Christine Hanson and Lynda Rubin, Raffle Basket Chairpersons, and our special sponsor John Skramko, President Garden City Basketball.

All of the volunteers, coaches, and players were amazing. First we asked to be able to use the gym at Adelphi University and Robert Hartwell, Director of Athletic Department-Associate Dean, Denee Rivera, Asst. Athletic Director/SWA, and Georgette Brown, Events Manager/Special Events Coordinator, could not have been more accommodating and even donated the use of the gym! They all worked so hard on their end to help put this event together. Next, we needed players to help with the clinics and we could not have asked for better ones. The student players who volunteered their time on a Sunday were unbelievable! They interacted so well with all of the kids and really went out of the way to make the clinics fun and a great learning experience. These students are a "great reflection" on their families, coaches, andAdelphiUniversity.

A generous thank you to our sponsors: Adams Drafting, Gregory Matzelle of AG Edwards, Jim DeBold of Goodyear of Garden City, Mr. & Mrs. Alan Hanson, Mrs. Jennifer Miller, Lane Office Furniture, Sistie Lewis, Starbucks of Garden City, The Weber Family and Windingroad.com for their generous contribution and to the managers of Restaurant Depot for giving us a discount on the snacks and beverages for the event.

Special thanks to our generous raffle basket donors: Russell Ciolli, owner of Grimaldi's Pizzeria of Garden City, Suzanne Eigl, Assoc. Broker Taylor Warner Realty of Garden City, Anastasia Salon of Garden City, Lynda Rubin, Joseph Ricautre, General Manager, Lord & Taylor of Garden City, Joe and Anna, owners of Il Cantone Restaurant of Franklin Square, and Brendan Callahan, of the New York Knicks.

Twigs ofWinthropUniversityHospitalhas been in existence since 1967 as a non-profit, volunteer organization whose mission is to better the life of a child. In the past four years, we have dedicated all of our fundraising efforts towards the Hagedorn Pediatric Wing and the Child Life Program at the hospital, which provides various forms of therapy and entertainment for the children such as, pizza parties, holiday parties, guest/celebrity appearances, art and music therapies, arts and crafts, etc. for its patients. For more information on making a donation to or sponsor a party or activity for the Child Life Program via Twigs please contact Suzanne Eigl at516-384-4773and visit our web-site at: www.winthrop.org/resources/volunteer/twigs.cfm for information on our events.