Community Service | Long Island Rebels

Rebel players and parents, you are the best !!!! The 06-07 Buddy Skate was the best so far. Over 25 students from the Genesis School came to the 06-07 Buddy Skate and were not disappointed. 65 Rebel players from teams ranging Mite to Juniors attended the skate to help the kids skate and have a great safe time. The students all had a great time. Thanks to all the players for not only taking the time to make a difference but to really caring, and it showed. From tying skates to just helping kids skate, you were great. There are so many parents to thank I would not know where to begin, on behalf of the students and their families... thank-you. There were many special moments with new friends made, we all got more than we could ever give.

The cookies, cakes, cupcakes, and so much more were endless.

Our thanks go out to the students and staff of the Genesis School for Autistic Children for giving us this opportunity to work with them, the Dix Hills Ice Rink for their sponsorship, Jerry Sullivan for allowing us to carry on this event for the fourth year and to our Rebel family for always caring. Special thanks to Mr. Puglia for supplying all the soda and juices.

A huge thanks to Jolynn Sapia & Erin Sparacio for arranging and directing the event. Also thanks to Mark Sparacio for lending his talents and creating the Rebel / Autism Ribbon.

A complete list of those that attended is below the group photo.

Please e-mail me the names that I missed and they will be added: Johnz@LIRebels.com

The Bantam Minor team had an away game in Conn. and were unable to attend. Thanks to the parents for your food donations.
Special thanks to the following:

• Jerry Sullivan, Rich Righi and all the Coaches that attended.
• Matt Naples & Staff (Dix Hills Rink)
• Erin Sparacio & Jolynn Sapia who co-directed the event and so many others that helped.....
• Rebel Parents - there are so so many (For all the great baked goods and refreshments)
• Rebel Alumni - Frank Cassano and family.
• Rebel Player Brothers and Sisters.

Rebel Buddy Skate 2006-2007

Half Hollow Hills Newspaper

Buddy Skate News Article

Newspaper Editorial

Thank you note from Genesis School

On December 31st the Long Island Rebels hosted the Genesis School for Autistic Children for a holiday party that included ice skating & refreshments. Rebel players, parents, and staff volunteered to help the students have a safe time on and off the ice.

This year the students families were invited to also participate in the skating session. "It was easy taking pictures because their smiles light up the place" said a parent. The smiles were big on and off the ice as many parents got to watch while the students were assisted ice skating by Rebel players.

The Rebels would like to thank the Genesis School for allowing us the opportunity to spend time with them. We had as much fun as the kids.

Special thanks to the following:

• Jerry Sullivan
• Matt Naples & Staff (Dix Hills Rink)
• Erin Sparacio & Sandy Cassano and so many others that helped.....
• Rebel Parents - there are so many (For all the great baked goods and refreshments)

complete list of participants:

If I left off anyone please let me know...........
Thanks to all
John Zerillo
Johnz@LIrebels.com

On December 28th 2004 the Long Island Rebels and the Dix Hills Ice Rink hosted students and staff from the Genesis School for Autistic Children. Rebel players and coaches volunteered their time to help 13 children with special needs feel safe and confident while ice skating.

A great time was had by all. Some staff members from the school were given a much-deserved break to skate on their own, while over 30 of our team members from the Squirt, Pee-Wee, Bantam, and Midget levels assisted the students on the ice. While the staff was grateful, the children skated with huge smiles. The hockey players also had a great time, and many of the younger players stepped up to the opportunity and challenge of doing a service to their community and their peers. They exchanged sneakers for skates, laced them up, and even took them off and laced new ones on when they noticed that the skates were too big.

The players skated two to a student, often one on each side. It was a great opportunity for not only the players and students individually, but also for everyone to socialize. Players and parents met each other from different levels of the organization.

Our thanks go out to the students and staff of the Genesis School for Autistic Children for giving us this opportunity to work with them, the Dix Hills Ice Rink for their sponsorship, and the players and their parents and coaches for making this a memorable and fun event.

Full list of participants:

If I left off anyone please let me know...........
Thanks to all
John Zerillo
Johnz@LIrebels.com

Long Island Cares Inc., The Harry Chapin Food Bank gratefully acknowledges receipt of 435 lbs. of food collected during the "Score a Goal Against Hunger" heldat the Dix Hills Ice Rink and conducted by the Long Island Rebels Teams.

Thank you for joining us in our mission to ensure that more Long Island children and families not go hungry; to find new paths for helping single mothers achieve self-reliance; to give at risk teens and adults the skills they need to become self supporting and to raise awareness and understanding of hunger and its many causes.

Your compassion and concern for those in need is truly appreciated.

Sincerely,
Lynn Needelman
Executive Director

The following visiting teams have assisted us in this cause: