As the sun set on a picture perfect Sunday and the lights came on at Tully Park, children from New Hyde Park, Floral Park, Franklin Square, Roosevelt and Oceanside took to the lacrosse field to play the game they love. From a spectator’s view it looked like any other game, but this night was different. On this night they were playing for a cause.
Just over two weeks ago Hurricane Sandy pounded the East Coast and left Long Island in state of destruction. Some lost power while others lost everything. When Eric Rudd from Long Island Park Lacrosse called Pete McClean from the New Hyde Park PAL Lacrosse the mission was clear “Kids playing for kids.”
Parents brought their children along with donations of food, clothing and cleaning supplies. While the parents were busy sorting through and organizing the various items the kids were playing their hearts out for one another. The normal feelings of rivalry were replaced with ones of camaraderie as the kids used to competing against one another were now on the same team. The stadium lights were hardly needed as the smiles of hope and compassion lit up the field.
As the evening came to a close Coach Keith packed up his minivan with some much needed supplies and headed back to the dark streets of Oceanside, a town hit hard by Sandy and still without power. While the storm has claimed many people’s homes and possessions it is no match for the resilience of the town’s children who despite their challenges came out and competed as though nothing was wrong. The event also helped the local residents in Long Beach and Lindenhurst.
