Winthrop-University Hospital's "First and Goal Challenge" contest winners recently were invited to attend a New York Jets practice session, where they also had the opportunity to talk with the NFL players. Earlier this year, for a $100 commitment benefiting the hospital's Child Life Program and Pediatric Services, entrants crossed their fingers in hopes of winning great prizes, compliments of the New York Jets.

Two lucky grand-prize winners, Roslyn resident Brian Goldstein and Oyster Bay resident Manny De Freitas had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend a summer afternoon with the Jets at the team's Long Island training facility on the grounds of Hofstra University. The second prize winner, Steven Eisenstadt of New York City, won round trip travel and tickets to a Jets away game. And the third-prize winners, Susan Braccia of Brooklyn and Dennis Sheridan of Glen Head, won tickets to a Jets home game. Other prizes included autographed jerseys, autographed footballs and mini helmets.

"My son and nephew were so excited to watch the team practice, and later meet with and talked to the players," said Mr. De Freitas. "It was a memorable experience for my family.

"Personally, I am proud to contribute to and help Winthrop whenever I can because both of my children were born there," he continued.

Winthrop-University Hospital welcomes more than 5,000 babies born annually in its modern, comfortably appointed New Life Center. The hospital's comprehensive pediatrics program provides children from infancy to adolescence with primary and preventive care and a wide range of specialty services, in an ambulatory setting and in the newly-built Hagedorn Inpatient Center that are guided by the hospital's mission of providing "Care without compromise." For more information, call 1-866-WINTHROP.