Welcome to A Midwinter Night's Dream

*** 2009 Launch Video***
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  * 2008 Marketing DVD *
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A Midwinter Night's Dream is an annual charity fundraiser held by The Northport High School chapter of the National Honor Society that supports Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease) research.

         Grand Total Raised:             $1,488,000

Our event is unique because it is run by high school students.  Our committee consists of about twenty-five high school students ranging in the ages from 15-17.  They plan the entire event over an eight month period of time.  Thanks to Oheka Castle owner, Gary Melius, the students have a place to entertain their guests.  In our first four years, our event has been attended by over 2000 guests and has raised $722,000 for ALS Research and families afflicted with the disease.  Our event is made possible through the support of over 1500 corporate and individual sponsors, as well as countless students, faculty and friends of Northport High School.

A Midwinter Night’s Dream has evolved into more than just a fundraiser.  Besides raising funds and awareness for ALS, the students have begun their quest to find a cure.  In 2006, the student committee hosted a research symposium entitled: "Can nanoscience and technology accelerate our search for a cure for ALS?"  This meeting created opportunities for Northport High School students to become active participants of ALS Research in both the clinical and laboratory setting.  In the summer of 2006, four students performed ALS research at The Robert Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins University with Dr. Jeffrey Rothstein, The University of California at Santa Barbara with Dr. Ratnesh Lal, ALS TDF with Dr. Ken Thompson and Columbia University with Dr. Serge Pzerborski.  Currently, four students are researching ALS this summer at The Robert Packard Center, Columbia University and The Jenifer Estess Stem Cell Lab.

Due to the success of A Midwinter Night’s Dream, we have been able to support numerous ALS organizations and fund their research.  We believe collaboration is the key to finding a cure for ALS.  The following is a list of ALS Organizations we have supported in the past six years:

                                                           Project A.L.S
                                    The Robert Packard Center for ALS Research
                                     The ALS Association - Greater NY Chapter
                                                          Ride for Life, Inc.
                                                MDA’s Wings over Wall Street
                                                     ALS HOPE Foundation
                                                The Fran Delaney Foundation
                                                              ALS TDI
                                               Columbia University Medical Center

The students became proactive in fighting ALS after a second teacher in our school district, David Deutsch, was diagnosed in February 2004.  The first teacher diagnosed over twelve years ago, Christopher Pendergast, was some of the students elementary school teacher.  After learning about the disease through Mr. P, many of them became actively involved when they were younger.  When Mr. Deutsch was diagnosed, the students felt they needed to do something.  They were motivated to become active in raising awareness for ALS and funds for ALS research.  They forged a connection with The Robert Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins University and began their quest for a cure.

Their first event was called Hoops for ALS, a charity basketball tournament at a local elementary school.  The event raised $25,000 and drew over 500 people.  The students were in awe of how much support they received from the community.  The event ran from 9-5 on June 20th 2005.  Then, a group of forty students travelled down to The Robert Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins University and delivered their donation of $32,000.  In September 2004, the Packard Center awarded the students a Partners in Collaboration Award for their efforts in raising money and awareness for ALS.  To date, the students have donated over $85,000 to The Robert Packard Center for ALS Research.

The following year these students attended the MDA's Wings over Wall Street at the Marriott Marquis in NYC and were inspired to create their own special evening.  The students was so touched by Warren Schiffer and the outpouring of support at Wings, they set their sights higher than a basketball tournament.  That began their dream and passion of  "A Midwinter Night's Dream".  Thanks to Gary Melius and Oheka Castle, a venue was established and our plans went into motion.  Within three months, the students planned for the biggest night of their lives.  They solicited local businesses, florists, restaurants and bakeries for donations for the night.  The Northport community came together and supported the sixteen students in charge of the night.  The invitations were sent out, the band was booked and the guest list started to fill up.  The dream the students envisioned was finally coming into focus.

The inaugural event was on January 20th 2005 and was attended by 375 people and raised over $85,000.  It was a giant success.  Our first Hero for Hope Award was given to former New York Yankee great David Cone.  Dr. Jeffrey Rothstein and Senator John Flanagan were also in attendance.  Our guest speaker for the night was Dr. Jeffrey Rothstein from the Robert Packard Center for ALS Research. 

Our 2nd annual event occurred on January 11th 2006 and was attended by 475 people and raised $137,000. The second annual Hero for Hope Awards were given to Actor Billy Baldwin and Former New York Yankee great Tommy John.  Former New York Yankee Jim Leyritz, Senator John Flanagan and United States Congressmen Steve Israel were in attendance.  Our guest speakers for the night were Ms. Dorine Gordon, President of the ALS Association Greater NY Chapter and Dr. Ratnesh Lal, research scientist from University of California at Santa Barbara.

2006 Student
Organizing Committee

These are our true heroes for hope.  They give us energy, passion and motivation to live everyday to its fullest.  We love both of them and will continue to fight ALS along their side. 

Christopher Pendergast

Beloved elementary school
teacher at Dickinson Avenue,
Northport Schools

David Deutsch

Beloved Biology, Earth Science
and Marine Science Teacher
at Northport High School

We hope you enjoy the site and find it informative.  Thanks again for your time and we look forward to hearing from you.