From l to r: John Smith, President ACCFCB; Lorrie Pizzola, Chairperson Hands for Hunter; Donna Smith, Board Member ACCFCBClick here to access Hunter's picture gallery.
Attempt at world's longest paper-clip chain
The Albany County Correctional Facility for Children's Benefit, Inc. would like to Congratulate the "Hands for Hunter" team and their coordinator, Lorrie Pizzola on this extraordinary effort to help Hunter Sanchez and his family in their time of great need.
Hands for Hunter was a community-wide effort to help Hunter's family offset over $80,000 in out-of-pocket expenses to cover multiple surgeries, physical therapy and temporary housing while he spent five months recovering at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, MD.
Hands for Hunter brought together children and families throughout the capital district to break the Guinness Book of World's Records, record for the longest paperclip chain. The record-breaking attempt was as a catalyst to raise money for Hunter's family.
This goal was missed by just 3/4 of a mile. The record stands at 22.14 miles and Hunter's chain was 21.43 miles. However, in just three short months over $40,000 in donations was raised to assist Hunter and his family. This was in addition to collecting two million paperclips from donors around the country to support the event, as well as all of the lumber and labor required to build a structure to support the chain. Hands for Hunter was a continuous 24-hour event that included hundreds of volunteers.
Inspired by Hunter's story and the local effort, we partnered with Hands for Hunter and have paid over $8,000 in housing expenses that first year. We will continue assisting Hunter and his family with these extensive medical expenses.
"I can't thank you (ACCFCB) enough for your incredible support. We never could've pulled this off without ACCFCB on so many levels. It was the benefit of your good name that helped us secure the paperclips for our event, which in turn the catalyst for raising money. Please extend my thanks to everyone..." Lorrie Pizzola, chairperson for Hands for Hunter
ACCFCB is sponsoring housing and meals for Hunter and his family during their 5 month stay in Baltimore, Maryland at a cost of ~ $8,000 plus will continue our effort to support them along the way. Hunter's family estimates that there will be ~ $80,000 in out of pocket expense after insurance.
