By Jacky Gerzema
Brianne, a kindergartner, held out her right arm to show a flower tattoo on her hand, and said she was saving a peace sign tattoo for later, while David, 8, had his flower "tattooed" onto the back of his calf.
Brianne and David attended Lenox School's Community Volleyball Tournament Fundraiser this past Sunday at Baldwin Senior High School in memory of their fathers, Brian McAleese and Thomas Hobbs, who were killed in the World Trade Center terrorist attacks.
Over 1,000 community memberss came to BSHS on Sunday to play volleyball and buy food, drinks, t-shirts, temporary tattoos and numerous raffle tickets to help raise money for the children of those Baldwin residents who were killed on Sept. 11, including Alvin Bergsohn, Brian McAleese and Thomas Hobbs.
As of Monday, Lenox School Principal Gary Griggs said $21,000 had been raised at Sunday's volleyball fundraiser.
"We have raised $21,000 and we're still counting," said Griggs. "We have checks coming in the mail, and we have to pick up money jars from the local delis and stores. I'd say we could easily exceed $22,000. It's just mind blowing, what the community has done and how we've come together."
Over 40 teams competed in the high school gymnasium which housed four volleyball nets. Raffles were held all day, offering gift certificates, t-shirts and even travel getaways to local citizens.
Over 100 area businesses donated food and prizes. Jessica's Restaurant donated $50 gift certificates for a dinner for two, and sent a check to the fundraiser. Local delis such as AJ's Deli and Atlantic Avenue Deli donated gift certificates as well. J'etaime Spa and Salon donated gift certificates for free spa services, and Rockville Centre's Starbucks provided the caffeine.
Raffle prizes also included tickets to Rangers, Devils and Knicks games, overnights at the Garden City Hotel, a weekend golf vacation in upstate New York and a set of golf clubs.
The Mahler Realty volleyball team won Sunday's competitive tournament and the "Mix-Ups" volleyball team won the non-competitive tournament. The non-competitive team was "mixed up" with Baldwin firefighters and Middle School physical education teachers.
Dawn McAleese said Brian's family and members of his Brooklyn Fire Department also played volleyball on Sunday to raise money for the Baldwin families.
"This is so amazing," said Allison Hobbs, wife of the late Thomas Hobbs. "It's awesome to see this turned into something so big. I played [volleyball] today. Tommy loved sports; he and I used to play volleyball. When I found out about this, I knew I had to do it for Tommy."
Steven Hobbs, 10, enjoyed the day's festivities, but said they stood for something much more meaningful.
"This athletic event reminds me of my dad [Thomas]," he said.
Lenox teachers Kristin Maldonado and Tara Mintz started to plan the fundraiser in late September after discussing ways in which the school could help the Baldwin children whose families were affected by the World Trade Center attack.
"It started out as a small idea and then we decided to get the whole community involved," Maldonado said. "It's really amazing to see how the community got involved with this. So many people wanted to help. Other schools were interested, and the Baldwin Fire Department got involved. Things just grew from there. Gary Griggs said we'd start out with a goal of $5,000 and we didn't even think that was possible. Thanks to the community, we made over $20,000."
Griggs said Lenox teachers and staff were exhausted at school on Monday.
"We really have a lot to be grateful for this morning," he said on Monday. "The teachers are exhausted, but they're a feel-good exhausted."
