January 7th, 2010: Imagine the Possibilities

Northport High School Student Charity Raises $421,000 to Benefit ALS Research 
 Inspired by Stricken Teachers, Students Bring 6-Year Event Total to $1.5 Million

Northport, NY (January 7, 2010) – What recession?  Over the course of a year beset by financial downturn, a group of 42 teenagers from Northport, New York raised $421,000 to benefit ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease) research.  Now in its sixth year, the annual fundraising event has generated a total of nearly $1.5 million for ALS research.   The new milestone was reached on January 7th, 2010 at Oheka Castle in Huntington, New York, where the group hosted their 6th annual A Midwinter Night’s Dream gala.  Joining a cast of over 500 donors, sponsors, parents, friends and teachers who turned out for the cause were special guests including New York Yankees’ right fielder and 2009 World Series champion Nick Swisher; comedians Caroline Rhea of Sabrina the Teenage Witch fame and Richard Kind of Curb Your Enthusiasm, Spin City and Mad About You; Stanley Cup Champion and New York Rangers great Adam Graves; actors Robert Burke of Gossip Girl and Rescue Me, John Scurti (Rescue Me) and Vincent Piazza (Rescue Me / The Sopranos). 

 “There are very few words to describe how proud I am of these students,” said Don Strasser, Northport High School science teacher and event advisor.  “This past year was not an easy one for charitable organizations, but the kids never stopped to think about it; they just kept working until they reached their goal.  This achievement is really a testament to that effort, and to the amazing generosity of the people in our community and our very generous corporate donors who all dug deep to make this possible.”   The annual A Midwinter Night’s Dream fundraiser was conceived by students in 2004 to raise funds and awareness for ALS research.  It was inspired by the diagnosis of Northport High School science teacher David Deutsch with the terminal disease.  He was the second teacher in the Northport school system to receive this diagnosis; Christopher Pendergast, an elementary school teacher in the district, was diagnosed with the disease in 1995.

The 2010 event was spectacular.  Guest speakers included actors Richard Kind and Caroline Rhea, who addressed the crowd of 500 plus guests and provided entertainment along the way.  Following their lead, Larry Tarica, COO and President of The Frye Company, and Nick Swisher, 2009 New York Yankees World Series Champion were awarded the Hero for Hope awards.  The Linda Knudsen award was presented to Addie Fishstein of Northport for her battle against Leukemia.  Finally, East Shore Partners was presented with the Presenting Sponsor award for the 6th year.  After the presentation, Sean Flanagan and Scott Stimell led the live auction, which raised an unprecedented $15,000. 

Nick Swisher stated, "Watching these kids create this event when their two teachers and mentors were diagnosed with ALS is something that I am so happy to be a part of.  I flew here from California because it was so important for me to be here".  Caroline Rhea added, "If my daughter grows up to possess any of the qualities that you have, I would be the proudest mother on Earth".
Richard Kind told the students he admired their "chutzpah" and their passion to take on ALS.

Over the course of its six-year history, the student-run group has become a registered non-profit, forged links with Hollywood and corporate America, created an annual black-tie gala and sent dozens of students to internships with some of the world’s leading researchers at Columbia, Johns Hopkins and several others.  In June 2009, A Midwinter Night’s Dream Cryopreservation Laboratory at Stony Brook University Medical Center was opened thanks to a $125,000 endowment from the Northport students, who are now are able to participate in year-round research.  In December 2009, the group became a finalist in the Chase Community Giving project, becoming eligible for a $1 million grant towards their cause. 

Story provided by John Roderick (JR Roderick Inc.)

Hero for Hope Recipient and 2009 NY Yankee World Series Champion Nick Swisher with former NY Rangers legend Adam Graves

Nick Swisher with Olympic gold medalist Sarah Hughes

2010 Committee members with actor and comedian Caroline Rhea

2010 Committee members with actor and comedian Richard Kind

2010 Committee members

2010 Committee members

Advisor Don Strasser with Project ALS founders Meredith and Valerie Estess