MEDIA RELEASE

JULY 15, 2009

CONTACT: JOSHUA SLAUGHTER
    Office:  (631) 852-1300
Cell:  (631) 456-1718
 Email: Joshua.Slaughter@suffolkcountyny.gov

LEGISLATOR BROWNING COLLECTING SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN
DONATIONS NEEDED

 School Supplies Collection Drive to Benefit Needy Children throughout Suffolk County

In 2008 Suffolk County Legislators collected thousands of school items for needy children.
They hope to improve on last year’s impressive effort this summer.

JULY 15, 2009, HAUPPAUGE, NY – A hot summer day on an Island filled with fun, adventure, mystery, treasure and yes, even some learning! That is what a group of local volunteers have in store for hundreds of needy children throughout Suffolk County in the 3^rd Annual Back Pack Pirates Summer Fest slated for the middle of August. Hundreds of backpacks have been ordered, donations of school supplies are NEEDED to finish filling them. 

Invitations to the Back Pack Pirates event have been distributed to needy children ages 6 to 17 at homeless shelters, local parish outreaches, and to families at Department of Labor sites across Suffolk County. Children will be “whisked away” via ferry to Fire Island for a day filled with activities including treasure hunts, swimming, nature walks through the “Sunken Forest,” sand castle contest, volleyball games, visit to the nature museum, a barbecue lunch, entertainment performances by the Broadway troop “Story Pirates” and the “Black Spot” Pirate Productions and much, much more including a special appearance by former pro-wrestler “Mankind.” 

“These needy children don’t often get a chance to experience this type of adventure,” said Legislator Browning.  “It will be fun and educational for them and in the end they will walk away with a cool back pack filled with supplies they will need for school. I hope everyone will contribute to this needy cause, the Legislature is proud to be involved.”

The Deadline for collecting donations is August 1^st.  Legislator Browning’s office at 1120 Montauk Highway, Suite G in Mastic is accepting donations. Items needed include:

Anyone wishing to donate any of the supplies listed above or to send a monetary donation to this worthy cause, please make checks payable to Every Child’s Dream (put Back Pack Pirates in the Memo) and drop them off at Legislator Browning’s office by August 1, 2009. For more information, please contact Legislator Browning’s office at 631-852-1300.