2016 Circle of Strength

Oakdale-Bohemia Middle School Faculty and Staff Dress Down Fridays

Big thank you to the Oakdale-Bohemia Middle School faculty and staff in the Connetquot Central School District (Go T-Birds!!) for your generosity and thoughtfulness. Those who participated in dress down Fridays raised a whopping $1700 for LFG!!!! In addition, Mrs. Carter's students enthusiastically collected spare change during Children's Cancer Awareness Month inspired by their teacher's words of encouragement. The students collected over $50 in loose change which their teacher generously matched.

St. James Elementary Fourth Grade

The fourth grade supported Lauren's First and Goal by hosting Patrice for an author's visit during Parents as Reading Partners week this fall at the school and purchasing copies of Hope is Here to Stay. During this follow up visit, Patrice shared her presentation on how to publish a children’s book, taking the children through the writing, illustrating and publication processes. Thank you St. James for your continued support of LFG!

Bill Roos’ Retirement Breakfast

Bill, a longtime and loyal LFG volunteer, invited Lauren to help prepare a breakfast for the faculty and staff at his school, Roy C. Ketcham High School in Wappingers Falls, N.Y. in celebration of his retirement this June after 37 years. He asked that in lieu of gifts, his co-workers consider making a donation to the Foundation. Thank you to the generous staff and Coach Roos for raising $2000 for LFG. Congratulations Coach Roos!

Dr. Mark Weiner and Dr. Eric Simmons Sport Psychology Workshops

New York Giants consultants, Dr. Mark Weiner and Dr. Eric Simmons, have graciously volunteered their time and talents to conduct workshops on sport psychology for parents, coaches and spectators at the PA Camp. Dr. Mark and Dr. Eric have collaborated for over a decade in their work with the Giants, a range of athletes at different developmental levels, and organizations including sports teams, schools, and businesses. 2016 marked the eighth year of involvement with Lauren's First and Goal.

Cynthia Hill’s Service Project

Cynthia, a senior at Harding High School in Marion, Ohio, worked with her uncle as a volunteer at the LFG Ohio football camp in 2015. After spending the day with us at the camp in Ohio, she decided to dedicate her 2016 service project at Job Daughter International to LFG, raising more than $1,122 through the sale of handmade bracelets and dream catchers and the support of local donors. Thank you Cynthia for sharing your gifs of time, talent, and generosity!

Benjamin Bachman’s Birthday Celebration

Benjamin, son of one of Lauren’s all-time favorite teachers at Easton High School in Easton, Pa., Brad and Laura Bachman, celebrated his birthday by asking guests at his party to bring gift cards and arts and crafts items in lieu of gifts, which his family donated to LFG. The gift cards and arts and craft items will be greatly appreciated by patients and families at our partner hospitals and bring big smiles to the faces of the participants in our Fun Day event at the football camp in June. Thank you sweet Benjamin and the Bachman family!

Tracey Elementary School Staff Dress Down Fridays

For the past decade, the staff and faculty at Tracey Elementary in Easton, Pa., Lauren’s former elementary school, have contributed funds collected on dress down Fridays to LFG. Thank you to this wonderful group of teachers and staff members for honoring Lauren in this special way and for your incredible generosity and thoughtfulness. Go Tigers!!

Muhlenberg Football Spring Lift-a-Thon

Led by Head Coach Mike Donnelly, once again, the Mules turned their annual spring lifting workouts in April and May into a fundraiser for LFG. Players and sponsors contributed almost $2000 to LFG in support of our mission, bringing their four-year total to more than $10,100 raised!

Franklin & Marshall Football and Parents Group

Members of the Franklin & Marshall College football team and parents group volunteered to staff and supply the 2016 concessions at the PA camp again, donating all proceeds to the Foundation. We are so grateful for this generous and loyal team of players and parents, who travel from all over the state and somehow manage to transform a long day of hard work into a party! Over the past two years, the F & M group has donated more than $15,000 to the foundation through the concession stand.

Coordinated Health

Special thanks to Coordinated Health, the official medical provider at the PA camp, for matching the Keep the Change Campaign at the PA concession stand. Over the past two years, Coordinated Health has matched over $4000 in keep the change donations.

Cousins Lemonade Stand

Cousins Hannah, Erin and James spent this spring break afternoon at their lemonade stand, selling the sweet stuff for LFG. Thanks all you thirsty neighbors for helping them raise over $56 this afternoon!!

Cousins Awareness Campaign 2016

The cousins were at it again this year campaigning for awareness during the month of September. This time they had a slightly different idea. On one of the few rainy afternoons of the summer, they broke out the hot glue gun and created gold (the official color for kids cancer awareness) pins to share with family, friends, classmates and teachers. They attached their handcrafted pieces to cards with information about Children's Cancer Awareness Month and the LFG websites. Thanks for helping to spread the word!

Quinnipiac Catholic Rugby Match

Big thanks to the Quinnipiac University Catholic Rugby Crew, New Blue and Hartford Rugby, Father Jordan and all who came out to support the teams in the Charity Rugby match to benefit LFG. Special thanks to long time LFG COS member Rachel Domozych and team captain Paul Thompson for their enthusiasm, love and support!

C-Quest 5th Graders of the Connetquot Central School District

The program continued its annual tradition of supporting Lauren´s First and Goal by hosting Patrice for an author´s visit. After learning about why the book was written and discussing the role technology played in bringing the LFG publications to print, students had the opportunity to explore the LFG website.

St. James Elementary School - Third and Fourth Grades

The school supported Lauren's First and Goal by hosting Patrice for an author's visit and purchasing copies of Hope is Here to Stay.

Oakdale-Bohemia Middle School National Junior Honor Society - Ninja Warrior Challenge

The bright, creative, and enthusiastic members of the OBMS NJHS led by teacher and advisor Mrs. Lori Senia designed a ninja warrior challenge course that students could attempt for a donation to LFG. The winning team earned the privilege of giving Principal Ms. Bailey or Assistant Principal Mr. Piombo a pie in the face. BOTH teams worked so hard at winning that both administrators wiped whipped cream off their brows! LFG thanks you for the T-bird spirit!