First Annual: Spirit of Youth Sports Awards 

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Press Release 

November 21, 2019

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  WVI DF Honorees with Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone

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L to R: Frank Zitaglio, general manager of Baseball Heaven, Alaine Robbins, director and coach of Smithtown-based Dynamics Twirling Organization, Alexis Moed, president and coach of New York Islanders Girls Elite Hockey at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow, Steve Bellone, Suffolk County Executive, Andreas Lindberg, founder of Southampton Youth Soccer and former LIU Post and current Seton Hall men’s soccer coach, Bridget Tartaglia, Esq. / partner at JRMG&T LLP who coaches boys basketball at Infant Jesus CYO in Port Jefferson, Paul Sibblies, principal Wyandanch High School

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Robert Catell, WVI benefactor, Jeremiah Schnee, WVI founder, Pat LaFontaine, NHL hockey legend, Companions in Courage President Jeff Parrett is also the founder of the Rising Foundation

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We are pleased to report that our November 21^st Sports for Good (SFG) Spirit of Youth event honoring NHL hockey legend and DF Sports for Good Advisory Board member Pat LaFontaine exceeded expectations, and we are grateful for Residence Inn Long Island owner Lee Browning's generosity, as well as to WVI benefactor Bob Catell, and all our honorees and corporate contributors for their support of this inspirational evening!

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Testimonial from the evening:

Jeff Parrett, Founder, The Rising Foundation: “I came today because of what the WVI Dolphin Foundation stands for. It is about values, and if we aren’t asking ourselves what our values are, then what are we doing? That got me here. And then, meeting Pat LaFontaine! As a hockey guy, it’s a moment that you can’t describe! To see who he is off the ice, and what he values, takes it to a next level.”