POINT BLANK TEAMS UP WITH PAT LaFONTAINE
Help raise funds for children’s rooms at LI hospitals
Purely coincidental timing, what with all this talk of paying for web content and all, but I’d like to ask Point Blank readers for their consideration on a charity initiative so we can do something kind for children in Long Island hospitals.
Point Blank has partnered with Pat LaFontaine’s foundation Companions in Courage on a fund-raising drive to donate mobile XBox 360 kiosks at Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola and Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow.
Pat, the former Islanders great and member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, is running in the New York City Marathon on November 1. Through this joint venture with Point Blank, we are raising funds to honor Pat and his foundation at the marathon. Pat will be motivated on his run by the more than 40,000 children per year who now have the chance to play on these units or to visit one of the 8 Lion’s Den rooms that the CiC Foundation has built from Montreal to Florida (including one at Huntington Hospital).
On a recent Lion’s Den Room visit Dr. Mehmet Oz said, “When kids get sick, we have to remember that they’re still kids. They still want to have fun doing the same things they did when healthy… How better to do that than in a safe environment where they can play with other kids around the country who are facing similar challenges?”
From first-hand experience, when my young son Cole had open heart surgery two years ago, I saw how playing video games and being in a relaxed atmopshere after surgery helped in his recovery at the hospital.
Said Pat LaFontaine: “On behalf of the kids in the hospitals, I want to thank all of the Point Blank readers for your generosity and support. It can be pretty scary for these kids when they are admitted to a hospital. But when they can connect to the outside world with these XBox kiosks and our Lion’s Den rooms, you see their faces light up. You are making a huge difference in the lives of all these kids when you make a donation today. I know that I will feed off the hopes and wishes of those patients during my marathon run. Thanks for letting them know they are not alone as they go through the scariest time of their lives.”
A donation of $26 can make a huge difference – although don’t be dissuaded from contributing more if you are fortunate enough to have the resources.
With the marathon just over a week away, we respectfully ask that you make your donations in the next few days.
****As an added bonus for Point Blank readers, if you donate $50 prior to October 28 at noon, you will be eligible to win four grandstand tickets at the finish line of the New York City Marathon on November 1.
As an alternative to the online donation link, readers can send a check to CiC Foundation, P.O. Box 768, Huntington, NY 11743 (ATT: PB). If you have any other questions or would like to make a donation different than what is requested, please send an email to Jim Johnson at jjohnson@CiC16.org
If this goes as well as we hope, we’ll have to celebrate with an Islanders game Point Blank viewing party at RC Dugan’s. Heck, maybe even Patty can stop by. (I just volunteered Dugan’s and Pat).
Please help Point Blank and Pat LaFontaine in our efforts for Winthrop and Nassau hospitals.
Thank you so much for your consideration…CB
61 Responses to POINT BLANK TEAMS UP WITH PAT LaFONTAINE
Help raise funds for children’s rooms at LI hospitals
-
Chris TMC says:
Glad to help out with a great cause like this
-
admin says:
Thanks, Chris! CB
-
All done as promised! Glad to help
Thank you, Brian. Very kind of you…CB
-
Mike for Philly says:
Way to go Patty Lalalalafontaine! Always a class act.
-
This is a great cause. We usually donate my daughter’s past Christmas highlights to the local hospitals for the same reason.
Thanks for letting us know about something good. -
admin says:
Thank you, JP! Very generous and much appreciated…CB
-
Jim Clark says: What a great player he was. I don’t believe everything Gary Bettman says but I think he’s right when he talks about how many hockey players are so willing to help others out.I’ll mail off a check in the morning.
-
admin says:
Thank you very much, Jim…CB
-
chris says:
pat was a great islander i feeel so bad he didnt win a cup
-
IslesPleaseStay says:
1 comment, and 1 question Chris:
1 – Great cause, and I will be donating along with my wife
2- When isn’t Patty’s #16 going to be retired to the rafters?
Thanks, IPS! CB -
RH from NJ says:
Done deal!!
Although I live in NJ now I will always have a soft spot for Winthrop University Hospital (my first sone was born there…also happens to be named Patrick!!).
PL and CB – two class acts! Keep up all the excellent work that you do.
Thank you.
RH
Really appreciate that, Robert…CB
-
Swan says:
Done. A small donation, but hopefully will help.
Great cause, CB, and no surprise you continue to leverage your site to worthy topics/causes.
AO
-
admin says:
Thanks a lot, AO! CB
-
Mike says:
I am in grad school so i don’t usually have the free funds to make charitable donations. But this seemed like a great cause. Thanks for informing me of this, I was really happy to give my support.
-
admin says:
That’s really great of you to do that, Mike. Thanks so much…CB
-
beatlebailey says:
CB:
I contributed to the cause. Does this help get me out of comment “moderation”.
Thanks for the hours of entertainment on here CB -
admin says:
Looks like you already were! Thanks, BB…CB
-
coral springs isle fan says:
My roots are still on Long Island and having three kids of my own it was a no brainer to contribute to such a good cause. Way to go Patty & CB for your efforts!
Thank you, CSIF! CB -
TuxTax says:
Glad to donate. My sis will be delivering my new niece? or nephew? at Winthrop in December.
Best of luck to your sister and her family. Thanks for doing this, Tux! CB
-
David says:
This is a tremendous foundation and I hope everyone can donate to it. I first found out about CiC when my 6 month old nephew was in Maria Ferrari Childrens Hospital at Westchester Medical Center earlier this year. I got a call from my brother-in-law while I was at work. “Pat LaFontaine is here with the Stanley Cup” he said. Pat was going from room to room with Lord Stanley letting the kids and their families forget about their worries and spend some time with the cup. For my nephew’s first birthday earlier this month I donated $50 in his name, and will gladly do it again.
I encourage everyone, please donate to this very worthy charity. -
admin says:
Really well-put, David. Thanks so much for your donation…CB
-
Great Player and a great cause for the kids. Done with our appreciation to CB and Patty.
-
admin says:
Thanks so much, Billy O…CB
-
Tim F. says:
Anyone who has ever had a child hospitalized knows the value of something like this. It’s wonderful for kids receiving medical treatment to have a place where they can just be kids. A most worthy cause, and my donation is in. Chris, kudos to you and Pat for spearheading such a worthy cause.
-
admin says:
Thanks, Tim! CB
-
Brett Cooper says:
5 years ago i ran a fundraiser for Mr. LaFontaine and CiC and i know from experience that this is a great organization. i hope everyone can donate and if possible go see the rooms he has created on long island, they really are phenomenal. Really great your behind this foundation CB.
It is an incredible charity. Thanks, Brett…CB
-
BrianAlbany says:
Chris, I just donated the $26. I don’t make too much money otherwise I would have certainly liked to support the cause even more. I hope this helps! This sounds like not only a chairty for a great cause but its affiliated with the Isles and its a simply fun concept!
Great work as always Chris!
-Brian
First-class of you, Brian. Thank you so much…CB
-
I’ll be mailing in some cash, seeing as I don’t have a credit card or checkbook–broke college student. But this is a great cause.
Appreciate anything you can do, Devon. Thank you! CB
-
Seth says:
Just made my donation. Goin to a good cause, glad to help. CB
-
admin says:
Thank you, Seth!
And thanks to everyone who has contributed so far.
I know times are not easy, but I know there’s more we can do. Please consider a contribution.
PB has not gone to a subscription service and I don’t have any plans to ever go that route. Through two Islanders seasons, this is my only request.
This is all I’m asking for this season.
The Islanders did not practice today, so this is where I’d like the focus to be.
Call it a positive energy day.
If you’d like to discuss anything about the charity, please send me an email to cb@islanderspointblank.com
Thanks again…CB
-
Richie66 says:
Wish I could give more but $26 was all that I could manage, every little bit helps. Keep up the good work
$26 is wonderful, Rich, and goes a long way. Thank you…CB
-
Lenny says:
Wish it was more, but it’s the best $26 I’ve spent in awhile. Best of luck.
Perfect, Lenny. Thank you so much for your contribution…CB -
cusi says:
I just donated $100. Anything for my favorite Islander growing up and my current favorite blogger. This is a great cause thanks for alerting us to it. I hope your son Cole is well. If i win the tix to the marathon, go ahead and auction them off on ebay for more $.
PeaceThanks for the donation and the offer, Cusi. Cole is doing really well. Thanks…CB
-
Priest says:
I will give some over the weekend. I’m trying now, but the website is taking forever to load (problem is on my end, some sites are insanely slow at my girlfriends house)
Keep trying, Priest! Thanks…CB
-
IslesinOside says:
Done CB!Glad to help children for any cause. I commend you and Patty!
Thanks, neighbor! CB in RVC
-
CB, Is there any way that those of us who are not feeling the global pinch to maybe donate enough for an entire kiosk. I know out here in the Country, as you so affectionately call it, are doing better than others. We live in some of the wealthiest zip codes on the planet, and there has to be more people who think like me. You tell me where to go and consider it done!
Wow. Yeah, I think we can make that happen! I have sent you a private email. Thank you, #13…CB
-
Merrick says:
I’m in for $26. Thanks for letting us know.
Beautiful, Mr. Merrick. My deepest gratitude…CB
-
TimQ says:
Done. Thanks for making us aware
Great guy! Great cause!
You’re the man, Tim. Much appreciated…CB -
Rick W. says:
Chris, thanks for letting us know about it. If Patty is involved, and you’re supporting it, enough said. My pleasure to donate.
Pat has done amazing work with his charity. Thank you for supporting it…CB
-
Bob Bassen says:
50. Done. Easily.
Thanks Pat and Chris!
Peace~
See how easy that was, everyone? Thanks, Bass! Peace…CB -
Scott R in MD says:
Here’s $100 from south of the Mason-Dixon.
Thank you, from the North. Extremely generous of you, Scott…CB
-
GMC says:
Pick a cause like this and I don’t think your PB readers will mind at all. Great work! I’m in. I will forego two beers and a hot dog at the game Saturday night and my $26 is covered.
I think you’re on to something, GMC. If everyone who reads this blog AND is old enough to drink skipped two beers and a hot dog for one game and gave $26 to the charity, we could build an entire children’s ward! Go for it! Thanks…CB
-
Brad says:
Thanks a lot for this story CB and all the support you provide for charity.
-
admin says:
Thanks, Brad.
Between online donations and checks, the drive raised over $3,000 in the first 24 hours – not bad at all for our little hockey blog, but we are far from finished. With the marathon just over a week away, we ask that you please make your donations in the next few days.
The Point Blank fundraising drive continues all week to support Pat LaFontaine’s Companions in Courage and donate mobile XBox 360 kiosks at Winthrop Hospital and Nassau University Medical Center. Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed so far…CB
-
Paul says:
I’m in, and as a gamer I think we should do this again and get them some big screen TVs to play on.
-
Chris I would love to donate and plan on doing so tomorrow, when my new Debit/Credit Card comes in the mail. Also is there any way I could have someone I know volunteer for work with this as she is seeking a career in the medical field and this would look very good on a resume…
-
dan from va beach says:
Hey all
C.B… Finally a time to help out a request of yours, to give a little back for all that you have given us for the past year+++++++++!
My wife works for the childrens hospital here in the virginia beach area and I am a hs science teacher and we both love working with and helping kids! We couldn’t think of a better way to help contribute today
Keep up the good work and don’t let up filling in all the nooks and crannies of all that is NYI’s.
TAKE CARE~
Hasnizzle~Thank you, Dan and family in Virginia Beach! CB
-
jeff says:
Great idea. It’s enough to make me want to forgive Patty for playing for the Rangers! My $100 is on it’s way.
Ah, it was only one year and they offered him a sweet deal. Can’t blame him. Thank you for the contribution, Jeff…CB
-
bloodyskull says:
Not a negative to word to say about Patty, what a class act
-
I wish I could, but money is SO tight right now. I just wanted to say that Patty is my all-time favorite athlete and not only got me into the sport when I was very young but made me a better person learning from his kindness and generosity. I was very fortunate to meet him a few times at the BT Skating Academy in Port Washington and the day he skated with our summer camp was one I will never, ever forget. I still remember him passing me the puck. I almost fell down from nerves.
the NYI #16 will forever belong to him as far as Im concerned.
-
Tom says:
Hey Chris! gave $26 yesterday. GREAT cause. Could never give enough time or money to help children. Awesome cause.
Thank you, Tom! CB
-
Julie says:
Hey Chris…I gave my $26 last nite. This was a great idea. I hope you do this again.
Thank you, Julie. This is the only one planned for this season, so I hope everyone who can considers a donation. The $3,500 so far is great, but I’m confident we can do a lot more. Thanks again…CB
-
Wizard of Isles says:
Chris-Great idea teaming up with Pat to help the kids. Hopefully all readers of PB can contribute in some way. It is the least we can do for all you have given us. Thanks for your help in getting us through the season. Best of luck!
I hope we can get more contributors over the weekend and next week. Thanks so much for doing this, Wizard…CB
-
admin says:
In these times, $26 rules. Thank you, Chris. I know the Islanders have games tonight and Monday, but I hope everyone remembers our drive for Companions in Courage and the children’s wards at Nassau and Winthrop hospitals…CB
-
jim in 226 says:
made my donation too, but selfishly hoping it relates to good karma for the isles tonite
-
Restore the Pride-n-Passion NYI Hockey says:
Childern are awesome, always the inevitable future! More often then not,They bring Joy & happiness in a sometimes arduous world..
It is my sincere hope, they all get better soon!
Thanks Patty for all you did & do on & off the Ice!
Will never forget the Easter Epic87′
Great Time in many ways.
Lets Go Isles!
Good Team work Botta. -
Mike says:
I was listening to NHL radio a few weeks back and Pat was doing an interview about the charity golf outing to support his Companions in Courage Foundation.
I thought it was incredible that this cause was so engrained in him. Hearing the story behind how it started and how many children’s’ lives it has effected really put a smile on my face. He was my favorite player growing up and as a kid you always hold the people you look up to in a higher esteem. It is a bonus when someone you look up to; is also a kind, decent and selfless human being.
I’m proud to contribute to this amazing cause.
Keep up the great work Chris & Pat!
-
Im hoping that some Rangers and Sabres fans, if they know about this, will show their support as well. I just sent the link to a couple of Rangers and Sabres website mods.
I like how lafontaine still sticks to his guns….. For the kids till the end not suprisong considering the great islander he was.