American author Mitch Albom once said, “The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to something that gives you purpose and meaning.” Buffalo Bills safety, Micah Hyde, embodies that quote through the work of his Imagine for Youth Foundation.
This week 200 students and their families from the Lackawanna City School District were invited to Hyde’s Kicks for Kids event held at the Lackawanna High School cafeteria. These students received a new pair of sneakers and Kicks for Kids t-shirt from the Imagine for Youth Foundation and A Champion’s Shoes as well as a hat from Damar Hamlin’s charity, Chasing M’s Foundation. Families were treated to dinner, snacks and beverages courtesy of Wegmans, Pat Marsillo Concessions and Carmela’s Cookie Shop (owned by Lackawanna teacher Kelly Gorczyca). Magician Ted Burzynski from "It’s Magic, Of Course!" provided the evening’s entertainment. Families also had the special opportunity to interact with Micah Hyde through photos and autographs.
Our very own School Resource Officer, Patrolman Keith Kwiatkowski, serves as a board member for the Imagine for Youth Foundation and is the director of the New York Committee for the foundation. New York Committee members also include Heather Kwiatkowski, Instructional Math Coach at Martin Road Elementary, and retired Lackawanna City School District teacher, Lynn McDonald. Officer Kwiatkowski would like to thank Julie Clark, Jennifer English, Kim, Dan, and Matt Pulinski, Michelle Gibert, Azia Palmer and Cheryl Monaco as well as the men and women of the Lackawanna Police Department for helping to make this event such a success for our school community.
The Imagine for Youth Foundation was started by Micah Hyde in 2015 to help financially disadvantaged kids thrive academically and athletically by providing them with the necessary supplies, resources and equipment. In 2023, Hyde expanded his efforts to continue his work in various ways. The mission of the foundation is to help children achieve a healthy, active, and educated life. Hyde holds his annual Kicks for Kids event not only in New York, but also in Michigan and in his hometown of Fostoria, Ohio.
