Helping those in need right here on Long Island

The volunteers at Christmas Magic along with the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless (LICH) are gearing up for the 10^th annual Backpack Pirates Summer Festival that will take place on August 25 in Riverhead. For over a decade the LICH has organized  the “SOS: Supply Our Students” back to school drive, and the festival provides the perfect opportunity for children in need to not only receive school supplies and clothing but also to enjoy a day full of fun and exciting activities.

According to Greta Guarton of the LICH, 425 – 450 children benefit from the Backpack Pirates event every year and an additional 4,500 through SOS. At any given time you can count 7,000 children on Long Island who are homeless, and the yearly total can add up to 10,000.

Charlie Russo of the law firm Russo, Karl, Widmaier & Cordano, PLLC is the founder of Christmas Magic. The attorney said the non-profit started working on the festival along with the organization Every Child’s Dream 10 years ago and then joined forces with the coalition. He said the approximately 100 volunteers on hand each year at the event, as well as everyone who plays a part in the planning and preparation, make the day a success.

“Any time that you can reach out and help somebody like this, it’s a feel good moment. It’s a great, great moment in time. To see these kids just having a phenomenal day like this, and to be part of it in any way whether you’re making a donation, or you’re donating new clothing or new sneakers, you’re going to be part of it. You don’t necessarily have to be at the event,” Charlie said.

For several years, the Backpack Pirates festivals were held on Fire Island. Both Greta and Charlie said the children would be thrilled to take the ferry over to the island as many were never on a boat of any kind in their lifetime. However, in 2013 the event was moved to Riverhead due to the number of children that needed to be transported, and in case of stormy weather, the lack of shelter on Fire Island.

Before the August event, volunteers reach out to various businesses to raise money. Different company sponsorships levels are available, and participating businesses are recognized on the event t-shirts. Companies also set up boxes at their places of business to collect school supplies, and volunteers approach stores to see if they can stand outside with a collection box.

In addition to receiving backpacks filled with supplies and clothing, the children attending the Backpack Pirates event can enjoy various crafts and games and spend time at the beach. Last year the organization reached out to the public for swimwear for the children and all the participants received bathing suits and towels. Greta said another highlight of the day is the participation of Story Pirates, a group of professional actors. The storytellers improvise stories with the help of props and suggestions from their young audience.

At the end of the day, after receiving their filled backpacks, the children pick out clothing for themselves and any siblings who are unable to attend. Charlie is dedicated to making sure that each child has new clothing and shoes and reaches out to various organizations for donations. The lawyer feels every child should start off the school year just like their fellow classmates with new additions to their wardrobe. 

 “It’s just another way of giving them a better start to the school year,” the lawyer said.

Greta said one obstacle they encounter is finding bathing suits and clothing for the older kids. The children attending the event range from ages 6 to 18, with some of the older kids wearing adult sizes. Greta said in addition to children’s clothing, the organization can use donations of new adult garments or swimwear up to 4 XL. And when it comes to filling up the backpacks, donations of any school supplies are welcomed but Greta said they are usually short on scissors, erasers, rulers, loose leaf paper and dividers.

Cynthia and Charlie McKenna of Keller Williams Realty Homes & Estates in Hauppauge, who have volunteered for the event in the past, said they carry with them many touching moments from Backpack Pirates that Charlie McKenna described as life altering for him.

Cynthia said her fellow Keller Williams agents, who have volunteered at the event in the past, come back overwhelmed with emotion, especially when they realize the children are only a small percentage of those in need.

“You’re standing there with 400 children, and you’re saying, ‘How could this be? How? How could there be more than this in this day and age?’” Cynthia said.

The volunteer said many times she has had to choke back tears while helping at the event. One year it was a girl’s birthday and at the end of the day she started crying. When Cynthia asked her what was wrong, she told the volunteer that it was her best birthday ever, and she didn’t want to leave.

Charlie McKenna remembers a young girl picking out clothing; however for boys. When he asked if she needed any help, she told him that she was looking for clothes for her brother who only owned one pair of shorts and was unable to attend that day. The girl asked if the shorts in her hand would fit a 16-year old. The real estate agent realized that the only thing she had in her hands were things for her brother and nothing for herself.  Greta said that many times volunteers will find children picking out clothing for their siblings, and the kids are even happier to find something for a brother or sister than they are with getting something for themselves.

During the day, the participants enjoy two meals and ice cream, and before they leave, can pick out healthy snacks to bring with them. One year Charlie McKenna witnessed two boys in the snack tent stuffing their backpacks with as many pieces of fruit, granola bars and whatever else could fit. They couldn’t believe they could take whatever they wanted and were planning to share the goodies with their family members back at the shelter, which was a hotel room with no kitchen. As the volunteer pointed out, “We take it for granted that we can get up from our couch and go to the cupboard or refrigerator for a snack anytime we wish.”

Another encounter that stands out for the real estate agent was when a dozen or so children were crying as they were leaving. They explained to him that if felt like Christmas in the summer. While Charlie McKenna claims to not usually be emotional, he said on this day, “I felt that knot in the back of my throat. I felt the heat building in the edges of my eyes. I put my head down and prayed. I asked God to help these children. I thanked God for putting me in that place, at that time.”

Greta said anyone interested in volunteering at the Backpack Pirates Summer Festival must attend the volunteer orientation that will be held on Saturday, August 15 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at 600 Albany Avenue in Amityville. The event will take place on August 25 from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm in Riverhead, and the rain date is scheduled for August 27. Those interested in volunteering must be 18 years or older.

“It’s a long day. It’s a lot of work, but it’s a life changing experience for the volunteers as much as it is for the kids,” Greta said.

A Sort and Pack Day will also be held at the Amityville location on Saturday, August 15 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. For more information on volunteering, contact Mike Giuffrida at 631-464-4314 x 111 or mgiuffrida@addressthehomeless.org.

To make a monetary donation, visit gofundme.com/BackpackPirates or holidaymagicli.org.