Kids & Family

Kids Team Up To Care for Michael Hubbard

Kids will participate in a lacrosse competition to raise funds for the teen, who was badly burned two years ago in a gel candle accident.

Some of Riverhead's youngest residents will come together to help bring a smile to Michael Hubbard, a local teen who was badly burned in a gel candle explosion two years ago.

"LAX for a Smile," a lacrosse event, will be held on Saturday, May 4, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Riverhead High School fields. The cost of the event is $200 per team, with all proceeds going to the "Michael Hubbard Fund."

All Riverhead PAL lacrosse teams, boys and girls, will compete against other local schools during the event. Besides the games, the event will feature a Chinese auction, a flower sale, a concession stand, a 50/50 raffle, and silent auctions.

A board comprised of Dawn Thomas, Ed Lucas, Laura Stimpfel, Andrew Fitzpatrick, Barbara and Steve Weir, Ed Frost, Nadia Chiaramonte, Tara Malanga, Trisha Conroy, Debi Burkowsky and Richard Boden has been set up to organize the event.

A volunteer meeting will be held Friday at the Jamesport Community Center at 7:00 p.m. for those who can volunteer time on the day of the tournament. 

Local businesses and individuals have donated items, fields, T-Shirts, food, and raffle items. In addition, the Long Island Lizards will be attending. 

"It's going to be a great day," Burkowsky said. "While playing the sport we love, we can be LAXing for a smile, Michael's smile. Keep smiling, Michael."

Michael, now 16, grew up in Riverhead and played sports. Michael, event organizers said, played drums in the school band and loves music.

"But what is best about Michael Hubbard is his smile and his laugh," organizers said. "It is contagious and can light up a room."

Michael was preparing for a backyard party in May, 2011 when a gel candle exploded, engulfing the teen.

He was transported to Stony Brook Hospital with third degree burns on 40 percent of his body.

During his first week in the hospital, Burkowsky said, Michael went into cardiac arrest; it was 13 minutes before medical staff was able to bring him back.

Michael, who was left with brain injuries, currently lives at Blythesdale Hospital, a children's hospital that specializes intraumatic brain injuries, in Valhalla, New York.

Michael's mother Nancy has remained at his bedside to help with feedings and therapy; her presence has helped her son's rehabilitation and healing, event organizers said. 

The goal of the fundraiser is to afford Michael's mother with the opportunity to stay with her son as he continues to make progress.

Participants will receive one full game -- two 24-minute halfs -- certified officials and PAL rules, and a free T-shirt. 

Those interested should contact: For girls: Dawn Thomas, at thriceblessed@optonline.net. For boys: Ed Lucas, at lucasbuilt@optonline.net or (631) 682-5356.

Following the Memorial Day incident, the gel candles- the wickless, flammable material which burned Hubbard -- was banned from Suffolk County shelves.


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