The Luke Neuhedel Foundation, a nonprofit organization established in honor of 3-year-old Massapequa Park resident Luke, who died from hepatoblastoma in March 2002, strives to assist children with cancer in the tri-state area to improve their quality of life through education, gifts and research. Recently, the foundation received a big helping hand from several community organizations.

Students of the Game, a baseball seminar designed by Massapequa teacher John G. Musmacker to help young children better understand the mental approach to baseball, presented the Luke Neuhedel Foundation with a generous donation and honorary membership on the team Dec. 2.

"My personal experiences playing baseball and coaching young athletes taught me that the mental skills and competitive edge gained through the game of baseball directly correlate with everyday life and continue to pay dividends," Musmacker said.

The 5th through 12th-graders in the program learn the importance of the game of baseball as applied to their life, and to accomplish and reach out to their community. As part of the presentation to the foundation, the students learned the importance of baseball in the life of Luke Neuhedel, a major Mets fan, and the importance of baseball in the lives of children with cancer, as they participate in and enjoy everyday activities, whether as players or spectators.

Another example of a community coming together to benefit kids with cancer occurred Oct. 28 when Pampered Chef Consultant Cathy Powell gave a Pampered Chef party at Sidekicks Café in Massapequa Park to benefit the Luke Neuhedel Foundation.

Sidekicks donated a bounty of appetizers and a large space to accommodate 55 attendees. Sidekicks donated 100 percent of the $10 ticket donation, and Powell and Pampered Chef donated 30 percent of sales to the foundation.

Powell approached the foundation and offered to do the benefit after she read about their yard sale in Newsday in June. Sidekicks owner Kenny O'Connor and manager Irene Wagner coordinated with the foundation and Powell to provide a wonderful setting for the party.

Foundation President Rebecca Neuhedel presented O'Connor and Powell with Certificates of Appreciation for their generosity toward children with cancer. The event raised $1,800 for the foundation.

The recent LukeCare for Kids New Toy Drive for kids with cancer was very successful, collecting over 2,500 toys for children with cancer in the tri-state area. Toys and gifts were also sent directly to children with hepatoblastoma in New Jersey, California, New York and Texas.

Children from the following pediatric oncology clinics and hospitals received toys: Schneiders Children's Hospital, Long Island; Babies and Children's, NY Presbyterian, Manhattan; Winthrop University Hospital, Long Island; Riley Children's, Columbus, Indiana; St. Joseph's Children's, Paterson, NJ; Memorial Sloan Kettering, Manhattan; Stony Brook University Hospital, Long Island.

The following businesses contributed space as a collection site: Jacto Dance Studio, Massapequa; Maria Regina R.C. Church, Seaford; Park Dance Center, Massapequa Park; Universe Appliance, Seaford; U.S. Post Office, Manhasset; Citibank Financial Center, Manhasset; and Community Reformed Church, Manhasset.

JPMorgan Chase also selected the toy drive as a Global Days of Service project. JPMorgan Chase employees assisted in the sorting and packaging of toys. The foundation received a grant from JPMorgan Chase to help with delivery expenses.

The foundation also received aid from the Cancer Awareness Research Education club (CARE) from Massapequa High School. Fifty dedicated and enthusiastic teenagers gave their time over a weekend to help sort, label and box toys.

Those who would like to volunteer a collection site or be a collection captain for LukeCare 2003, contact docratn@juno.com. Collection will again take place during September, Children's Cancer Awareness Month.