HEADlines

Happening HEADlines

July 5th, 2010

The Spring 2010 lacrosse season was victorious for The HEADstrong Foundation as many organizations and individuals have joined us in our fight against blood cancer. The Team of Champions to combat blood cancer continues to grow…

Team HEADstrong Long Island, a group of 5th grade boys, out of Garden City, New York are giving back to their community. According to Coach John Michielini and team organizer, the boys volunteered their time and donated toiletries to make up travel bags for group homes where less fortunate men are living trying to get their lives back in order and working to find jobs or finish educations. This was a gift to these men for Father’s day. The boys worked in small groups and are required to do multiple community service events throughout the season. The team also plans on t-shirt sale as a fundraiser benefitting the Foundation and are participated in the Score for a Cure program. These young men understand Nick’s message of giving back.

Team HEADstrong Long Island

Amosland Elementary School in Morton, Pennsylvania raised over $6,000 by selling t-shirts, water bottles, selling chances for a HEADstrong equipment and merchandise. Additionally each class room collected coins during the month of April; the grade that collected the month received Rita’s Water Ice for their efforts. An awareness parade was held on April 30th, as parents, students and teachers celebrated the life of Nicholas Colleluori and raised awareness about blood cancer.

The Foundation is especially grateful for all the supporters who visited the HEADstrong Foundation tent during the NCAA Final Fours Weekend. Nick Colleluori invaded Baltimore as approximately 10,000 people learned about the Foundation and Nick’s story.

The Foundation acknowledges the work of Oceanside High School in Oceanside, New York for hosting a very success day of lacrosse. Special thanks to Keith Mikell, the organizer of Oceanside Lacrosse Day. The festivities began by the JV Boys Lacrosse Team selling shirts and laces in the lobby of the High School on Friday, May 7. Over 100 t-shirts were sold in about 3 hours. The main fundraiser continued on Saturday, May 8th. Every Oceanside lacrosse team, both boys and girls, from 3rd Grade to the Varsity Level laced up for the cause. The Girls Varsity Lacrosse team also chose to wear both the laces and t shirts for their senior game. Most importantly, the JV Boys Lacrosse team was geared up in HEADStrong gear on lacrosse day where they worked a 2nd grade clinic and spoke to each PAL team explaining the importance of the HEADStrong Foundation. All together they not only raised much needed awareness and $6,800, but they carried forth Nick’s legacy in order to help bring the lacrosse community in Oceanside together.

Oceanside LAX Day

Special thanks to the Libertyville High School Boy’s Lacrosse Team from Libertyville, Illinois for hosting a HEADstrong event raising approximately $3,500 towards the foundation’s mission. The team sold HEADstrong t-shirts, laces and shorts and did an outstanding job of raising awareness in their town.

Thank you to Seth Berger, organizer of a HEADstrong event held at the Kent School in Kent Connecticut. The event held on May 22nd raised over $3,100. According to Berger, the game at Kent was an outstanding success-even the refs bought and wore the lime green t-shirts rather than their ‘stripes’ for the entire game!! And the opposing team supported our efforts by purchasing and wearing HEADstrong laces! The special HEADstrong uniforms designed by Berger were spectacular and each player purchased their uniform and then made a donation to the HEADstrong Foundation. Berger will attend Skidmore College in the fall and will take HEADstrong mission with him. The Foundation thanks everyone involved for their support and outstanding efforts.

Happy 9th Birthday to Dean Gendels of Westport, Connecticut , instead of gifts this incredible young man requested that his family send donations to the HEADstrong Foundation. At the young age of 9, Dean understands the importance of ending blood cancer. The Foundation is so grateful to Dean for his generous act of kindness and we thank his family for honoring his wishes.

The Foundation applauds the efforts of Jack Meister, for his Bar Mitzvah project, Jack has registered for the Score for a Cure Program, for every save his makes as a goalie, he has solicited family and friends to make a donation to the HEADstrong Foundation. Jack has proudly shared Nick’s story to the town of Summit, New Jersey. Jack did an outstanding raising funds and awareness about blood cancer.

Deerfield High School in Deerfield Illinois raises over $4,300 from their May 21st event helld for the HEADstrong Foundation in honor of . Special thanks to Chris Ridella for his effort and to everyone who supported the cause, helping us get one step closer to a cure.

The HEADstrong Foundation recognizes the efforts of Paul Salamy of King of Prussia, PA. Paul has raised approximately $1,200 by selling HEADstrong merchandise as various local tournaments. Thank you, Paul for your service and commitment.

Special thanks to Michael Faraone and his 1+2 second grade New Hyde Park P.A.L (Long Island, NY) for their Score for a Cure participation, raising $1079.00. Next year, Michael plans to lace up his team!

New Hyde Park LAX

Are you up to the challenge?

We challenge you to be creative and join us as we build a Team of Champions to combat blood cancers. The foundation thanks you for allowing us be able to make a difference in the lives of those affected by this disease.