When Snapple Beverages and the Starlight Children's Foundation were looking for a location on Long Island where they could bring their Twisted Cap Tricks Tour, they contacted the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce and the president of that organization, Gary Hudes, a Levittown resident, immediately thought of the Levittown Pools, resulting in the tour landing at the Jerusalem Avenue Pool last Wednesday and a Starlight Fun Center being donated to the Nassau County Medical Center.

Snapple has paired with Starlight Children's Foundation to bring the Twisted Cap Tricks Tour to 33 cities across the country to spread smiles and brighten the lives of seriously ill children and their families this summer. This tour features Wendy, "The Snapple Lady," a Long Island native and her mysterious companion, Jasen Magic, who bring dance contests, magic shows, Snapple cap creations and more to communities across the country. Levittown was the 32nd of the 33 stops.

Snapple donates a multi-media Starlight "Fun Center" to local hospitals or pediatric care facilities in each city designated especially for the hospitalized children who cannot join in the community festivities. The Starlight Fun Centers are brought to the hospitals by Wendy the Snapple Lady and Jasen Magic, and are state-of-the-art entertainment units, complete with TV, VCR, and Nintendo video game unit, which rolls right up to the children's bedsides. These units remain in the hospital even after Wendy and Jasen leave.

"The Starlight Children's Foundation commitment to bringing joy to the lives of children in need is nothing short of fantastic," said Steve Jarmon, vice president Snapple Communications. "Snapple likes to be able to give back to the community and we are pleased to be able to give back to the community and we are pleased to be associated with such an organization."

Snapple will raise, through these nationwide festivities, $100,000 for the Starlight Children's Foundation, which is an organization that grants wishes and provides state-of-the-art distractive entertainment therapies for seriously ill children and their families.

"Snapple and kids go together," said Laura Thrall of the Starlight Children's Foundation. "Snapple's generous donation to Starlight and the inclusion of Starlight's special kids in the Twisted Cap Tricks Tour events gives us one more way to bring smiles to these young faces."

The free event at the Jerusalem Avenue Pool was one more location where Starlight children and local children were able to enjoy the benefits of Snapple's generosity.

Richard Guardino, Supervisor of the Town of Hempstead, the municipality which runs the pools in Levittown, was on hand at last week's event to present a citation to Snapple for the good work they are doing for children. In thanking the supervisor for the citation and for providing them a place to hold the Twisted Caps event, Wendy Kaufman, the "Snapple Lady," excitedly announced to the many people gathered who recognized her from her commercials and various television appearances, "I'm home."

Wendy, who over the years has been asked by fans to attend their weddings, proms and even a child's birth, took time to "Do the Twist" with and sign autographs for the fans who gathered to meet her at the Jerusalem Avenue Pool.

Children gathered at the pool last week, in addition to meeting the Snapple Lady and receiving free Snapple Beverages, enjoyed the performance of Jasen Magic, an illusionist who has been performing throughout the United States for the past 12 years. His stunts have gained international recognition, with appearances on Real TV and the Leeza show and appearances on ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX affiliates. Jasen delighted the crowd from the local community with his magic, including members of the audience in his illusions. According to Jasen, the Levittown appearance was, "The biggest kid turnout we've ever had."