For Lindsay Noack and her family, October 16th was just like every other autumn Sunday – until it wasn’t.
Lindsay and her teammates on the GU13 Village of the Branch Power soccer team had just beaten the Smithtown Sting, 3-0, moving their record to 3-0-1. Then Lindsay’s mother quickly pulled her from the postgame huddle. There was a problem at the house.
“The problem” turned out to be every family’s worst nightmare. During the game, a fire had started at the Noack’s house in Centereach. By the time they got there, their home was engulfed in flames, a total loss. Fortunately, no one was hurt. Even the family dog was able to escape unhurt. But the severity of the fire was unquestionable and was even reported by Newsday and News 12 later that night.
Lindsay’s coach, Gary Schultz, soon got word of the situation, and like the rest of the parents and volunteers with the team and the club, wanted to help. Schultz immediately began reaching out to local businesses to enlist their help. He even stopped in at the local Modell’s. The store manager gave him the number to the Modell’s headquarters, and that is when Schultz came in contact with Bobby Jackson.
A former NFL football star with the New York Jets, Jackson has been a longtime Modell’s executive and the primary liaison between Modell’s and the Long Island Junior Soccer League. After hearing the Noack’s story, he quickly put a plan in place. For every person who purchases a gift card for the Noack’s at the Centereach store on October 28th, Modell’s will match their donation to the family.
“This family is one of our own,” Jackson said. “We all live and work here. We all have a connection to the LIJSL and the game of soccer. We had to do something to help these people out.”
Schultz says that the Modell’s offer is tremendous and has spurred an outpouring of support for the family.
“The response from people within the club has been amazing,” he said. “People have offered furniture, computers, TV’s, clothes, you name it. The club made a $250 donation. Our team raised $1000, and other team’s within the club are in the process of raising money.”
Schultz has become a point person for the donations and said people have left envelopes of money and checks in his mailbox. Even neighboring clubs like Sachem SC are collecting money and essentials to donate to the family, and the LIJSL is making a donation as well.
The Noack’s have moved into a trailer on the front lawn while their house is rebuilt. They have lost everything, but th
e generosity of friends and neighbors has helped them through the crisis.
“I spoke to Lindsay’s mom the other day,” Schultz said. “She said she has been simply overwhelmed by the support her family has received. It’s obviously been a horrible experience for them, but she has been amazed by people’s generosity.”
YOU CAN HELP!
Here’s your chance to help out. Any purchase of a gift card for the Noack’s from the Centereach Modell’s store TODAY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28th, will be matched by Modell’s. In addition, the store is hosting a fundraising event for the family at 1:00 pm on Saturday, October 29th, at the Centereach location. If you can get there, any and all support is greatly appreciated.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Noack Family," said LIJSL President Addie Mattei-Iaia. "It's heartwarming to see the response of the local soccer community in their time of need. On behalf of the entire Long Island Junior Soccer League and Modell’s, we wish the Noack’s all our best wishes as they re-build."