Courtesy: New York Dragons Dragons DB Billy Parker
Dragons
All-Arena Defensive Back Billy Parker volunteered his time for a great cause
when he made an appearance at the 17th Annual Toy Drive for the John Theissen
Children’s Foundation. The event at Mulcahy’s Pub and Music Hall in Wantagh drew close to 1,000
people and raised a lot of money as well as provided hundreds of brand new toys
for kids fighting potentially life threatening diseases. Billy signed
autographs and posed for pictures with guests while he enjoyed being part of a
worthwhile cause.
“It
felt good to be able to be part of an event that goes towards helping children
in need,” said Parker. “It’s tough to see such young kids have to battle for
their lives, but it’s also inspiring to see how strong they are. I wanted to be
there to show my support.”
The
John Theissen Children’s Foundation was started in 1992, when John Theissen, a
survivor of a brain tumor was inspired to use his experience to give back to
sick and underprivileged children across Long Island.
“In 1992, I held a toy drive during the holidays to benefit children in local
hospitals. During the first toy drive I collected over 800 new toys in just two
weeks and brought them to three different hospitals,” said Theissen. “Since
1992 we have collected over 550,000 new toys and have donated them to sick and
underprivileged children in over 185 hospitals and child-care facilities each
year.“
This
year was the 17th annual Toy Drive
and there were many current and former professional athletes alongside Parker.
WFAN’s Mike Francesa hosted his daily sports-talk radio show from inside
Mulcahy’s and the event also drew big names such names as Bucky Dent, Mike
Torres, Rodney Hampton and Long Island’s own Wayne Chrebet.
“Listening
to John’s story of how he overcame his own battle with a life threatening
disease really makes you take a step back and appreciate what you have,” said
Parker. “I’m really lucky to be in good health. You can’t take stuff like that
for granted because you never know when something might happen that could
change your life forever.”
The
event featured one of New York’s
largest live auctions as items such as signed pictures, vacations and
interactive experiences were auctioned off, with all the proceeds going to the
John Theissen Children’s Foundation. The Dragons donated team merchandise, 4
tickets to a Dragons game and a signed football by Parker.
As
the clock approached midnight and the event drew towards a close, people went
home feeling good knowing they helped a great cause. “It’s all about the kids,”
said Parker. “Donating a few hours of my time to help raise money and hopefully
help a sick child get better one day, makes it all worth it.”
