The usual scene at UBS Arena took a turn on Wednesday. Instead of Islanders dishing out assists on the ice, staff members, wives and girlfriends, and members of the Northwell Health Hockey Team were handing out 500 backpacks to students from the Freeport School District before the start of the school year.
The bags carried Islanders and Northwell Health branding and came loaded with notebooks, folders, crayons, colored pencils, composition notebooks, pencil pouches, erasers, pencils, pencil sharpeners, glue sticks and scissors. In other words, the basics students need to walk into class ready to go.
“The students are able to get everything they need to be successful in the classroom this year,” Joe Interlandi, captain of the Northwell Health Hockey Team, said. “You see them perk up when they get the bags and their smiles come out.”
The backpacks were assembled Monday at Northwell Health Ice Center, and this marked the fifth year the two organizations have worked together to provide school supplies for students. Interlandi said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to the Long Island community.
“Both organizations want to make sure that Long Island knows we are here to support them,” Interlandi said. “We [Northwell Health] are here to serve them for their medical needs, and the Islanders want fans to know they are much more than a hockey team.”
The distribution day at UBS Arena also gave the children more than just school supplies. They took part in activities like balloon twisting with the Islanders Community Events Tour, received pajamas courtesy of EJs PJs, got a complimentary book courtesy of The Book Fairies, and listened to live music from DJ Katie.
Ryan Pulock was among the Islanders in attendance, along with many of the players’ wives and girlfriends. Pulock has watched the Islanders Children’s Foundation and Northwell Health work in the community throughout his time with the team, and he said he values being part of it.
“It’s good for the kids to feel happy and confident,” Pulock said. “It’s really important to try and give back whenever we can to the people who support us.”
Holly Horvat, Bo Horvat’s wife, was also there and said seeing the kids’ reactions made the event special. For her, the day fit into the bigger picture of building ties in the community.
“It’s great to help these kids start school on the right foot and give them the supplies they need,” Horvat said. “We’re only as strong as our community.”
The annual backpack giveaway once again put the focus on supporting young students and making sure they have what they need to succeed in the classroom.
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