The Andy Foundation, an organization established to honor the life of 11-year-old Andrew Patrick Palmeiri of Garden City, recently held a NFL football clinic that netted $35,000 to benefit Winthrop-University Hospital's Cancer Center for Kids. The funds were earmarked for the purchase of a new Complete Blood Count (CBC) machine, which instantly produces blood results and reduces the waiting period for patients.

Several retired New York Jets players came out to support the fund-raiser, including Marty Lyons, Emerson Boozer and John Schmitt, grandfather of Charlie Schmitt, to whom the day was dedicated. Playing a major role in the event, the Schmitt family offered a helping hand in many heartfelt ways. Charlie's grandmother, Joanne Schmitt, supplied baked goods to be sold; Mr. Schmitt eagerly signed autographs for the 200 children in attendance; and Charlie ran a lemonade stand while helping to call out raffles.

"It was due to the generosity and hard work of the Schmitt family and Alison DeGroot, a Garden City resident and NFL employee, that the day was an unbelievable success," Linda Sweeney, practice manager, Cancer Center for Kids, said. "Her second year helping the Andy Fund, Alison spent a tremendous amount of time coordinating the players' attendance and organizing the football games for the children. We are grateful to all those who were involved."

Ending the event, Andy's mother, Jill Palmeri, Mr. and Mrs. John Schmitt, Charlie's aunt, Mrs. Timothy Schmitt, and Andy Fund board member James Moore, collectively presented the generous check to Mark Weinblatt, MD, chief of Winthrop's Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. Afterward, Jennifer Schmitt presented Dr. Weinblatt with a plaque to be placed on the CBC machine in honor of their nephew.