In an effort to help underprivileged children in local shelters and hospitals, Gardiners Avenue student Michael Sullivan, a nine year old entering fifth grade at the elementary school next year, collected over 1,600 children's books between October and March as part of the Kohl's Kid Care Program. For his efforts, Michael was named a regional honoree in the program, making him one out of just 33 children in New York to be honored out of 4,500 eligible nominations entered.

To help raise awareness, Michael's parents, Steve and Donna asked the Gardiners Avenue PTA to submit a request for book donations into their newsletter and also entered a request in the Levittown Soccer Club's fall newsletter last year.

"Books poured in from all over Levittown and Wantagh, dozens in the bin Principal Furlong set up in the Gardiners Avenue main office, and boxes upon boxes on the picnic table in our backyard," said Steve Sullivan, proud father. "My son weighed only 40 pounds last fall, yet he brought home 20 to 25 pounds of books on the bus almost every day. We lost all use of our garage for weeks," he added.

Steve Sullivan added that it took Michael two months to give all the books away and yet his son remains undeterred.

"Michael thinks he should expand his program next year," he said. "He hopes to persuade the Islanders or the Dragons (arena football) to have a 'Bring a Book Night.' He's a wonderfully sensitive and determined young man who just happens to be a good, normal kid...But I think this tale also reflects positively on the warmth and generosity of Levittowners."

Michael was recommended to the Kohl's Kid Care Program by his principal, John Furlong, of Gardiners Avenue.

As a regional level winner, Michael will receive a $1,000 scholarship to use for his post-secondary education. He was one of the youngest children to be honored as a regional winner, with only two other children under the age of 10 named as winners.

"The impact of the volunteer work of these outstanding young people is incredible and they each deserve to be recognized and rewarded for their efforts," said Julie Gardner, senior vice president of marketing for Kohl's. "That's why we are pleased to be able to acknowledge their outstanding work through our local area Kohl's stores."

"I am just so proud of him that he saw this all the way through," said Michael's mother, Donna Sullivan. "He was so determined."

When asked how he feels about his accomplishments, Michael Sullivan said, "I think it feels nice because of all the honoring, but it also feels nice to help all the children."