Wheels are how we get the food to the Homeless, via our cars or trucks. Neil Barber, THE Neil’s Wheels, is the inspiration behind the giving.
Neil was an outstanding athlete in high school in Lacrosse, track, and cross country track, who was headed to stardom in college lacrosse, but became mentally ill, starting around his sophomore year in high school.
By the time we really knew what Neil had, it was too late to help him.
Neil’s Wheels was started to educate parents, coaches and teachers to spot a problem with the school kids, and to encourage everyone to be open with any problem and not be embarrassed to talk about their problems.
Coach Rule asked if he could talk about how courageous Neil is, and to his amazement, 10 kids opened up about problems in their own families. We made it OK to open up.
These Manhasset students then wanted to help Neil and offered to send food to my son, who resides at Pilgrim State Hospital on Long Island. Neil decided it would be better to take the food and give it to Homeless shelters. He felt great, and Manhasset thought it was a great idea, and then Manhasset decided to have a prom in Neil’s name where 3 cans of food was the admission to the dance.
This whole program has mushroomed to be a mandated every year program at Manhasset, and ST Peters is following their lead. Two Halloween dances raised 500 pounds off food for an empty ecumenical food pantry in Northport.
The first week’s food from one of the classes went to Temple Beth El for their Thanksgiving Dinner. Money raised went to St Hugh Project Hope for their Thanksgiving Homeless dinner and this will continue all winter long.
We have Coach Rule and Deacon Bice, Neil and myself as the present team. We will account for where the food, clothing and donations go,
And you will get a personal call from one of us to say where your gift is going.
Thanks,
Greg Barber (Neil’s Dad)
Neil was an outstanding athlete in high school in Lacrosse, track, and cross country track, who was headed to stardom in college lacrosse, but became mentally ill, starting around his sophomore year in high school.
By the time we really knew what Neil had, it was too late to help him.
Neil’s Wheels was started to educate parents, coaches and teachers to spot a problem with the school kids, and to encourage everyone to be open with any problem and not be embarrassed to talk about their problems.
Coach Rule asked if he could talk about how courageous Neil is, and to his amazement, 10 kids opened up about problems in their own families. We made it OK to open up.
These Manhasset students then wanted to help Neil and offered to send food to my son, who resides at Pilgrim State Hospital on Long Island. Neil decided it would be better to take the food and give it to Homeless shelters. He felt great, and Manhasset thought it was a great idea, and then Manhasset decided to have a prom in Neil’s name where 3 cans of food was the admission to the dance.
This whole program has mushroomed to be a mandated every year program at Manhasset, and ST Peters is following their lead. Two Halloween dances raised 500 pounds off food for an empty ecumenical food pantry in Northport.
The first week’s food from one of the classes went to Temple Beth El for their Thanksgiving Dinner. Money raised went to St Hugh Project Hope for their Thanksgiving Homeless dinner and this will continue all winter long.
We have Coach Rule and Deacon Bice, Neil and myself as the present team. We will account for where the food, clothing and donations go,
And you will get a personal call from one of us to say where your gift is going.
Thanks,
Greg Barber (Neil’s Dad)
