Islanders Children's Foundation and Northwell Health Host Annual Backpack Distribution

The assists being dished out at UBS Arena looked a little different on Wednesday.

Instead of dishing pucks on the ice, New York Islanders staff members, wives and girlfriends, and members of the Northwell Health Hockey Team passed out 500 backpacks, specifically to members of the Freeport School District, ahead of the upcoming school year.

The Islanders-and-Northwell-branded backpacks were filled with notebooks, folders, crayons, colored pencils, composition notebooks, pencil pouches, erasers, pencils, pencil sharpeners, glue sticks and scissors, giving students everything they need for a successful year in the classroom.

“The students are able to get everything they need to be successful in the classroom this year,” Joe Interlandi, captain of the Northwell Health Hockey Team, said. “You see them perk up when they get the bags and their smiles come out.”

The backpacks were packed on Monday at an event at Northwell Health Ice Center, marking the fifth year the two organizations have collaborated to provide students with supplies. It’s a partnership that both parties believe showcases their dedication to serving Long Island residents.

“Both organizations want to make sure that Long Island knows we are here to support them,” Interlandi said. “We [Northwell Health] are here to serve them for their medical needs, and the Islanders want fans to know they are much more than a hockey team.”

During Wednesday’s distribution at UBS Arena, each child was able to participate in activation such as balloon twisting and other activities with the Islanders Community Events Tour. In addition, they received a set of pajamas courtesy of EJs PJs and a complimentary book courtesy of The Book Fairies, while live music was provided by DJ Katie.

Ryan Pulock and many of the Islanders’ wives and girlfriends attended the event. Pulock has seen firsthand the work the ICF and Northwell Health do for the Long Island community throughout his Islanders tenure and always loves being a part of it.

“It’s good for the kids to feel happy and confident,” Pulock said. “It’s really important to try and give back whenever we can to the people who support us.”

Holly Horvat, Bo Horvat’s wife, was one of the Islanders’ wives and girlfriends who attended the event and enjoyed seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces as they collected their supplies. She believes it’s an important part of creating a bond in the local community.

“It’s great to help these kids start school on the right foot and give them the supplies they need,” Horvat said. “We’re only as strong as our community.”

The annual event serves as another reminder of the value of supporting our youth, giving them the resources to succeed in the classroom.