Streaming happiness to hospital patients

Because of a Wantagh Boy Scout, the patients of Saint Joseph’s hospital in Bethpage will soon be able to enjoy happy movies during their stay at the hospital.

Matthew Kowalski, a member of Wantagh Troop 96, is in the midst of completing his Eagle Scout project. As a part of his project, he built several drop-boxes and shelves which will be used to collect DVDs. Kowalski plans to use these DVDs to create a movie channel which will be streamed on the Saint Joseph’s hospital televisions.

“I liked movies and wanted to help the patients and make them happy,” said Kowalski on why he chose this particular project as he pursues his Eagle rank. “Watching movies is something I really enjoy, so hopefully these patients will enjoy them while they are in the hospital.”

When Kowalski brought this idea to the hospital, he says they were very pleased and excited with the idea. “We brainstormed for a bit, and figured out this would be a great way for me to help out,” he said.

He does not know when the movie channel will be up and running, however Kowalski has completed the drop-boxes and is in the process of collecting DVDs. He says that the drop-boxes are available at the Wantagh Library, as well as the Saint Joseph’s hospital. Kowalski asks for “only movies that will make people smile.” Kowalski added that his goal is to obtain 200 to 250 movies and estimates that the channel should be streaming by the fall.

Thanks to Pat Barilla from TVR Communications, Kowalski was given a specific DVD player that will allow the movie channel to operate. He estimates that the DVD player would have cost him $360. “The donation was very generous and helpful,” Kowlaski said. “Otherwise I would have to raise all that money.”

Burger King was also a contributor to Kowalski’s project. He said that he needed close to $800 to buy all the necessary materials to build the drop-boxes and shelves. Burger King helped him by sponsoring a fundraiser where they gave Kowalski a percentage of its sales for a day. He says that without the restaurant’s support, he would not have been able to raise enough funds for his project.