Valley Stream’s Loudest Fans Cheer on Players
It may be a new year, but the old fans are still in town. As football season kicked off, the children of St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children have already chosen their favorite high school football team to cheer for- the Valley Stream North Spartans.
For the 2nd year in a row, St. Mary’s kids were invited to watch the Spartans in action at one of their home games and once again, were named the honorary captains during half-time.
The special honor was just another way Valley Stream players show their deep affection for some of New York’s most seriously ill and injured children battling complex medical conditions. St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children is a national leader in post-acute care for children with special needs and life-limiting conditions. Today one in five children has a special healthcare need. St. Mary’s provides intensive rehabilitation, specialized care, and education to 4,000 children each day in the New York Metropolitan region and beyond through our family-centered inpatient, home care, and community programs.
This isn’t the first time the football players have gone the distance for the children of St. Mary’s. Valley Stream North football coach, Tom Schiavo, arranged for his team to visit the hospital a few years ago to meet the patients. “I wanted my team to learn to be giving and I wanted to teach them how important it is to be thankful for what they have,” said Coach Shiavo. “My kids are grateful for this opportunity and they know it’s a privilege to meet some of the most amazing children in New York. They can’t wait to go back to the hospital and visit the kids again.
St. Mary’s kids also keep the players close to their hearts and have created close knit friendships with some of the kindest kids in the Valley Stream area.
