Feeney Talks With Friends

#BeAGoodFriend and check out episode #150 of #FeeneyTalksWithFriends featuring Ball 4 a Cure and Lonesome Eddie and the Bird Dogs

The 150th Podcast Celebration was a wonderful event at New Park Brewery.

Directline Media (minute 1)
10 years of Ball 4 a Cure (minute 2)
Starting a nonprofit organization with #friends (minute 3)
Seamus Turco (minute 5)
Voltron or Wu-Tang Clan (minute 6.30)
Cole (minute 7.30)
Bowl 4 a Cure (minute 9)
Lonesome Eddie and the Bird Dogs (minute 13)
Events: First, Last, Best, Worst (minute 14.30)
Special guest, Lonesome Eddie (minute 15.40)
Superhero Sunday 5K (minute 20)
Ball 4 a Cure has reached $500k raised (minute 24)
3 Keys (sponsored by West Hartford Lock) running a nonprofit organization (minute 26)
Shoutout to Dave and Tom at Fresh Ink (minute 27)
French Cleaners is our Presenting Sponsor (minute 28)
Proudest moment (minute 29)
Favorite teachers (minute 32)
Where will you be in 5 years? (minute 36)
“Feeney Reese!” - Tom Borio (minute 38)
Longest Putt Game and other golf games (minute 40)
Sally and Bob’s and chocolate chip pancakes (minute 44)
Favorite restaurant and 4 dinner guests (minute 45)
How did Friends of Feeney start? (minute 50)
Video clip of Hudson (minute 53)
Crazy Questions (minute 54)
Recommendations (minute 59)
TED Talk Collaborative Fundraiser? (minute 1.00)
Pizza Review of Patty’s Pizza (minute 1.02)
Closing remarks (minute 1.07)
LIVE MUSIC by Lonesome Eddie and The Bird Dogs (minute 1.08)
Call Me The Breeze - Lynyrd Skynyrd (minute 1.09)
Swingin’ - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (minute 1.12)
When It Rains It Pours - Luke Combs

Special Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor: French Cleaners - www.thefrenchcleaner.com

Podcast Sponsors:
Directline Media - www.directlinemediaproductions.com/
The Fix IV - www.thefixivtherapy.com
West Hartford Lock - www.westhartfordlock.com
Keating Agency Insurance - www.keatingagency.com
Goff Law Group - www.gofflawgroup.net
Parkville Management - www.parkvillemanagement.com
Luna Pizza - www.lunapizzawh.com/lunas-menu
PeoplesBank - www.bankatpeoples.com
Float 41 - www.float41.com
Maximum Beverage - www.maximumbev.com
Sally and Bob’s - www.sallyandbobs.com

Creators and Guests

Host

Eric Feeney

After teaching for nearly a decade at his alma mater in Waterbury, in 2014, Eric Feeney began teaching at Wolcott Elementary in West Hartford. Shortly following, Sam Sohn, the father of one of his students, passed away suddenly from a heart attack. He left behind four beautiful children and a loving wife, Nancy Wallace-Sohn. Eric saw first-hand the toll this took on the family as they navigated their way through this unthinkable tragedy. The following year, Rashad Collier Sr., another father of a student in Eric’s class, passed away in Hartford as a result of gun violence. Rashad left behind two fantastic children and a loving wife, Denise Villegas. The impact of these tragedies weighed on Eric and motivated him to build an organization that could provide assistance for similar situations. With that, Friends of Feeney was born. In 2019, Friends of Feeney Inc. became an official 501©(3) nonprofit organization, allowing more funds to be raised and expanding the range of services provided to children and families in need. Today, over a decade since Eric’s idea to build a community organization dedicated to supporting our friends in need, Friends of Feeney has burgeoned into a reputable and recognized organization capable of providing financial and resource support to numerous families and individuals across greater Hartford and beyond. Through this work, an incredible community of children and families has been recognized, who care for and appreciate each other’s kindness.

Producer

David Chmielewski

David started his video career in the early 1990s working on video crews as an independent contractor for such companies as Martha Stewart Living, IBM and Xerox. After graduating Southern Connecticut State University with the degree in Corporate Communications, David continued his video production career and accepted a position at WFSB in Hartford, CT. Within a few years the news and production studios became his charge and David designed, installed and maintained the televisions sets for the various programs at the station. At the end of 2013 David founded DirectLine Media, a video production company that specializes in creating memorable and compelling video content for businesses.

Editor

Stefania Sassano

Stefania's acting journey began as early as the fourth grade, where she took on the role of Scarlett O'Hara in a stage production of Gone With the Wind. This early experience sparked a lifelong passion for the arts. With a background in musical theater fueled by her love of music and singing, Stefania stepped into larger roles, such as Fraulein Kost in Cabaret during her sophomore year at the University of New Haven. This performance earned her a nomination for the prestigious Irene Ryan Acting Award at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival—an honor she would receive again in her junior year.

What is Feeney Talks With Friends?

Eric Feeney talks with #friends! Eric is the founder of the nonprofit organization Friends of Feeney. Their mission is to help children and families who need assistance after heartbreak and tragedy. www.friendsoffeeney.com

All right, all right.

Feeney talks with friends.

Episode 150.

Woohoo!

We got a live.

Audience here at New Park Brewery.

Give it. Up! Woo!

Thank you so much for being here.

Place is packed.

150. I'm here
with a great guests ball for a cure.

How are you guys doing today?

We're doing good.

We're doing good. We're happy to be here.
Yeah.

Special podcast.

Special people, special place.

We're here at New Park Brewery.

Thank you, new Park, for hosting us.

We got some drinks.
We got some pizza coming out.

Truly means the world.

Thank you.

Direct line media.

He's been here from the start.
150 episodes.

We were right around the corner.

It's a vintage spot now.

That was Direct Line Media.
He did behind the brand.

I he asked me about friends of Feeney.

And next.

You know, I'm the way out I go, hey,
can I ask the questions?

And you record
and he's been with me ever since.

So truly means the world.

Dave is a good friend,
so give it up for Direct Line Media.

For 85 New Park.

If something sells and New Park
Brewery will buy it.

So they're expanding.

Congratulations on all their success.

Tom is great.

John is great.

Tom's mom was a teacher.

John's mom was a teacher.

So give it up for the teachers.

Teachers are great.

My name is Eric Feeney, founder
and president of Friends of Feeney.

And I use this podcast.

Feeney talks with friends,
and I talk to a wonderful people

in the community
that are doing great things.

So you're coming up on ten years
in the community.

How's it been going, boys?

Yeah, it's, it's surreal really,
to think about, we started ten years ago

after we graduated Konrad High Schools
or shout out West Hartford.

We're in West Hartford.

We're doing work
for the West Hartford community.

And the best part is that we have
just made so many great relationships,

with businesses, with families
with, first,

you know, essential workers
at Connecticut Children's Hospital.

So it's really been a unreal journey.

And, we're excited to be here
and kind of showcasing what we've done

and how we partner with people like, Eric
leaning Van Sweeney.

Yeah. Our missions align.

We're just trying to help make the world
a better place and help,

people that that have a
tragic event or a heartbreak.

We, my

board of directors, Marty, Jan, Matt,

and all of our friends, tyhe are great,

but it's extra special for you guys
because you guys started off as friends.

We became friends
through friends of Feeney.

But I felt like you guys were friends.
First.

Our motto is be a good friend.
Hold the door.

Pick up trash.

Give compliments and be charitable.

But you guys started off as friends. What?

How does that dynamic
change your organization?

Or how did that help?

Or just tell us about that?

Yeah, I mean, we're
so there's none of us now.

Sorry.

And we actually have
a couple sets of brothers.

So my younger brothers in, in the group
as well, and my buddy Cole Stanek,

his younger brother is in it.

But, yeah, we've all known each other
since,

I want to say
probably since first or second grade,

pretty much across the board.

And it's been honestly,
we were just so close.

And just being able to do this
together is truly just,

it's just a great experience.

And we were connected on just a level,
you know, some other people just aren't.

So it's just it's a great collaborative
team effort and, and yeah, it's it's

been it's been a tremendous amount of fun,
and a great learning experience as well.

And I, you know, I'll jump on that too.

We started ball for a cure
because we were graduating high school.

We had such a close knit
group of friends and family,

and we wanted to do something
with that group for the community.

So we decided that we were going to do
a fundraiser, a basketball tournament,

in honor of a classmate
who was battling non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

And we did it in honor,
and we raised, like, 1500 bucks

first year, Duffee Elementary School
on the black tops out back.

And we were thrilled, you know, $1,500.

And we all came together,
and I think it was from there, we realized

that we had both a powerful community
and a powerful cause.

People really wanted to give a hand

up to people, and families
that, could really use one.

And not just the hand up financially, but,
you know, a sign of support.

So I think once we did that, all of us
kind of looked at each other and said,

we can't go back, you know, like
we got to just keep on going forward.

And as far as a friend group
now, it's just connected us even more.

Yeah, I think like when we

when we first started it,
it was, you know, looking back like you're

looking at ten years later that,
you know, we'd be where we are right now.

But it's just we've had pretty much
just constant growth.

And you know, we just
the crowd just keeps growing.

And it's just it's
been a great experience.

Yeah. Yeah.

Special group

I heard of you guys first episode
72 with the West Hartford Tree Project.

You know where I'm going with this.

Do you know Helen?

Is it Helen? Yeah. Ago. Yeah. Yeah.

So did you help?
Was that her child that you helped first?

Yeah. Yeah, I was amazed.

And Seamus.

Seamus is the man.

Seamus is doing great, by the way.

And now he comes to our events
and, a few of our events.

Now he's, taking the microphone

in the podium to kind of talk
about the impact that community has to

somebody who is diagnosed at a young age
with cancer, and finding that fight.

But also, it's, he.

Seamus is great articulating
that kids still want to be kids.

You know,
just because you have a diagnosis,

that doesn't mean that that defines
who you are, right?

You're still a kid
just like everybody else.

And when the community is behind
you and treat you that way,

it's a remarkable thing.

Yeah. Helen was so thankful
she talks so highly.

Episode 72.
Go back and check it out with Ted.

Helen and Bill.

So great.

And Paul to Seamus, his dad and Helen's
husband.

Great, dude. Nice.

Yeah.
So analogy. You guys are like Voltron?

Yes. How old are you? Voltron?

I don't know about that.

One 2920 people come together like that.

They formed arms. And how about.

Are you guys like Wu-Tang clan?

I know you guys heard of them. Yeah.

That's Matt, I watch. He's in the clan.

I watch the Hulu,
the Hulu show that they created.

Which one are you?

Are you Risa or Method man?

I'm Method man. George.

Great, great.

No. I love how you guys
all have your special, power or

and and you come together to form
one for one unit.

Let's go down the line
and see what you guys are. You guys,

there's nine of you.

Yeah. Who could step out of nest.

Yeah.

So we have
we have Cole Stanek, Will Dorsey Tommy.

Jason. Oh you got and can you,
can you name their position.

Or their role?

I mean, it's kind of interesting.

We I guess we have titles,
but we kind of just wear a bunch of,

like, all different hats.

Like, we kind of
just we fill in where we need to.

But I think most importantly,

Cole is our
is our graphic designer really one of the,

the key backbones
of the of our, of our organization.

And then obviously, Luke.

Let me start with Cole.

Great job on the flier.

I put something together.

I don't know if I use clipart,
Canva or something.

He's like,
send it to me and let me polish it up.

And Cole, it came out great.

So thank you, Cole, our 150th podcast.

Yeah I mean he's an
and he's that sure is phenomenal.

Look at that Pac-Man shirt
I love the throwback to jam for sure.

What's going to follow up
and talk about that later.

But yeah Cole
great job with his designing and organize.

He does all the hats and shirts right.

He's like the creative inspiration.

He's he's really he's he's a magician.

Like, everything he touches
turns out to be everyone.

People. People that don't even know,
that don't even know about ball fake.

You're like,
reply to my Instagram story or something.

Just say, hey, is there any way you can
like buy that half for me?

They don't even like know what it is or
doing anything but they just see things.

They're like, well, I'll just buy from you
if you just.

I'll shoot you a Venmo or something.
So that's all pretty cool.

And he does that for footlocker
too, right.

To set up.

Lockers or something.

He does.

But you know, the guy wears a lot of hats.

He actually does a lot of analytical side
for Foot Locker.

Oh, and he's studying you know what

what works for new stores
and how how a new store can be successful.

And he helped set them up.

So, multi-talented.

And his dad is fantastic.

During Covid, he went around and taking
pictures of people on their front stoops.

Yeah. Remember we took that picture?

That was Cole's dad project.

Yeah. Oh. So cool.
And that was a beautiful photo.

That's like our one and only picture
in front of the house.

Yeah.

And then got Tommy,
Tommy James and Will Dorsey,

who do a lot of our financial work.

And, you know, that's a burden.

You know, like you're a small nonprofit.

It's kind of hard to, you know, use
some of your fundraising dollars

to outsource for financial help.

So, you know, when you have people within
your organization who are willing to do

the books, you know, invest in QuickBooks,
file those taxes.

It's so helpful

because that stretches every dollar
that somebody donates further.

And then what's
great about our organization

is a lot of the guys on the board

take on individual events,
and they kind of take point on it.

So Aiden Stanek and Brendan Connors,
they joined a little bit late.

And they're they're organizing our Bowl
for a cure tournament.

That's going to happen the Saturday
after Thanksgiving.

Taking a leadership role on that.

Brian. Okay.

When did you say bowl? Bowl for. Cure.

Oh where's. That Eric. You got him.

Yeah I'm going. To be there
the after. Is there any of it?

Is that the one on by The bowler
I'm on the umbrella.

Okay. Gotcha. And they treat us right.

We've been doing it I think five years
now, and they're awesome.

We have a great day at bowl.

And, and then afterwards
we go to a, venue.

I think we're locked in Ann Arbor
Street again, for sure. Yeah.

So after the bowl
and then there's a little concert.

So it's a great community day. Love it.

And I'll just do
the rest of the shout outs here.

Brian O'shay is just instrumental
to the organization, both

as the project manager,
and also organizing super Sunday.

Max Kramer takes care

of all of our tech,
and also a lot of our philanthropic drive.

He, he has a nonprofit
background. Media an.

That's great in that.

And, Matt and I just kind of show up
to some events, you know?

Yeah. And you guys are the face
of the franchise. You're a good looking to

try that.

I cannot wait to watch.

And if you know who you are.

Supposed to be,
I, I got a bad habit of banging.

You know, it's so funny to,
like great kids and great families.

Like, I know some of your parents.

I don't know Dorsey Kramer,
but I think I know the rest of you guys.

So great kids.

We can make those connections for you.
Yeah, yeah. For sure.

See where you been at?

My life is a, walk at school guy.

Come on.

Yeah, he's an alum.

He's a walking eagle.

Come on, Max Kramer, we got to meet.

I know he's Graham.

I was wondering if he was related to
my friend Dave, whose last name is Kramer.

Spelled that way.
So he's a West Hartford guy, too, but.

I'm not sure.

I'm not sure that
that doesn't ring a bell, but maybe Tommy.

Okay. Great guy. Love them.

And Jameson,

Mark Jameson, both baller still.

Yeah. So now. Great.

That's nine people coming together.

Friends. Previous.

And you just doing great things.

Bowling for a cure.

Yeah. Beaufort is one of the best.

And, every.

Year, our fourth year, now. 50 area.

What date though? Saturday.

It's always a Saturday after Thanksgiving.

So I think it's the 29th.
Yeah. It's here. Yeah.

November their ninth. I'm there.

And you know, it's it's a great event
because. Yeah.

So you pick your six people
and your family, your friends

and you compete against everybody else
while.

Oh, it's your six versus everyone else.

Yeah. Team. There's about it's
just like a scramble right.

Oh there's 40 there's 40 lanes.

So about 40 teams going.

And I think the one of the funniest things
about the way we run

things is
we always have a theatrical, presence.

So there's a costume contest.

So everyone wears
just the craziest things they can find.

And it's usually a full team,
like two sides on the same costume.

And there's just there's wigs and scarves
and just all sorts of things

that everybody's wearing. And it makes it.

Yeah, it makes it a great time.
I'm there, I love it.

We're getting a team Saturday
after we're bowling

Bowl for a cure I love it.

Geez. Well, we're talking events.

We might as well keep them going.

So how I got a game.

You want to play a game or you want to
talk about some upcoming events?

So we know ball for ball for sure.

Is that your next.

That's our next.

Oh yeah.

So we're we're competitive guys.

So we like the game.
So if you got one for.

Us who won the bowling last year
and what was the score.

The bowling lab. We'll start. Training.

They were they were in the two hundreds.

Was it final frame?

I think that was the name of their team.
Like, oh, is that the.

That's your nail. Yeah. Yeah, yeah,
I think they did one.

They have a couple of competitive bowlers
on that team. Yeah.

And the trophy is something did take pride
and you get to take it home.

It's a bowling pin
and it's it's on a nice platform.

So if you, when you get to take home
the ball for your trophy,

put it on the mantel for a year
and bring it back next year and defend it.

Yeah. I'm not much of a bowler.

I just go for the costumes.

That's awesome.

All right, I'm there.

Oh. Stick around.

We got to tell you. Stick
around after the podcast.

Lonesome Eddie in the bird box.

We got to get into those guys.

I'm very excited. Eddie's a great guy.

Lonesome Eddie, though. He's like,
he has a lot of friends.

Why is he lonesome Eddie? Is this.
Is that a question for him?

Yeah. You know, that's one.
And the bird, he's out of that.

Thought about that. Before.
What's a bird? Why the bird?

I think they're all friends.

And Eddie's just in the band, you know?

But. Eddie.

Eddie cars is the man.

And, you know, I think I grew up
playing basketball in his backyard

as, like, a little kid.

And then they started that band,

and they are by far
just a staple of the Hartford community.

They've played at one of our events

every single year, I think, since we,
we started getting going.

So all the guys in that band are awesome.

And Matt obviously has a lot of blood
relationship to some of the guys.

In the band.
Yeah, I know anybody in the band.

Yeah, yeah. My dad is the,
my dad's the bass player.

My, my uncle is the rhythm guitarist and
and singer as well.

So it is super cool just to have that

family presence, at all of our events.

How's your musical talent?

I don't have.

I've got nothing but my dance moves.

You ask me.
Cut it up out there. You'll see.

All right.

And stick around,
because we will be filming some of the of,

his couple opening songs,
and we're really excited.

Eddie. Car.

I was honored to get the honoree
for the Saint Patty's Day

parade a couple years ago.

And Eddie car got the marshal.

So I'm ever connected.

He's Batman, and I'm Robin. Yep, yep.

And we're both really good looking,
athletic daughters named Bridget.

I mean, it's it's we're connected forever.
Love that guy. Oh.

Thanks, Eddie.

Stick around
for the concert after Lonesome Eddie,

we talked about your inspiration
for A ball for a cure.

So our game.

First, last, best, worst events.

Your first event.

Your last event, your best event
and your worst event.

Like something went wrong or missing,
you know.

It's hard to say. We.

I don't know if we have a worst event.

But I think I think the best event,

I think the best event, honestly,
is, is jam for a cure.

I think it's it's the most fun.

I think everyone gets together again.

We do another costume contest there.

So everyone's wearing funky outfits.

We've had theme, so we've done,

we've done the 60s,
the 80s, we've go rock and roll.

What else have we done?

We've done, Western, disco.

Western, disco. Y. In. Yeah, yeah.

And it's and I think that one is the best
because

that one's like any of you get at a sport,
you don't need to do anything.

You just need to show up
and just listen to great music.

And then par for markets
also just an incredible venue to be at.

And they are they're truly great.

And then,

my. Just missed it.

The man the men have been real quick.

Any car? Eddie, car is here.

What? Some give it up for Eddie. Car.

Maybe. Honey,

honey, how are you doing?

So you're missing a 10 to 1.

I know. Want to do a live set right now?

I'm gonna sing a song I.

Always, always good to see these two.

Awesome.

Yeah, we're we're very excited.

Thank you for letting us partner up
and collab and join your party.

You're amazing for a. Great cause, man.
You walked in.

We were just giving you so much kudos.

You just missed it by, like, two minutes.
So rewind.

You got a big question I was listening.

We do got a big question for you.

Oh, yeah.

Why are you so lonesome?

I got too many friends.

It just keeps on so. So. Yeah,
I don't know.

You know what? It's just you do some.

Your never George Gobel lonesome
George Gobel who's an old comedian stuff.

And he was just a funny guy on the guy.

It'd be kind of cool.

Nickname lonesome for one of the lonesome
Eddie in the bird dogs.

We kicked around. Bird dogs.

We do jailbirds we don't anymore.

Yeah, but we ended up on bird dogs, so.

Got a logo and everything.

Thanks to, call hall and call
mic and stuff.

So. Yeah.

And you guys,
you guys also had a, a, a brass section.

The the brass puppies. Brass
puppies. Yeah.

And Connor's,
coached AEW girls basketball.

And one of the girls in there,
Molly, was a,

was a trombone
player, so, yeah, the whole jazz band.

So we said get any friends
that might want to play.

And so she grabbed McGee, trumpet player
and a couple others and stuff,

but those were the two ones.

But we would play a dozen songs
or so with the brass.

Poppy's with us some stuff.

Now, about five years ago,
we're playing club.

Yeah,
about five years ago we're playing at,

at, the Red Rock.

Yeah.

And they were home for Thanksgiving.

Molly is now a doctor

and now a lawyer, and Maggie's
now a doctor.

And so we said, hey, welcome back to Brass
Puppies.

Molly's a doctor,

Maggie's a lawyer, and we're still playing
in the same crappy bars.

This. Year. Later.

They're awesome. They were awesome.
We miss them.

We miss them. They're great kids.
They were great friends.

But we've been better to get a longer
than the Beatles.

So, you know, that's not to brag,
but I love it.

Absolutely.

And we love.

Playing for, for ball for a cure.

That's an awesome.

Thank you. That's an awesome, awesome.

I mean, I just we always think about
what we were doing at these kids ages,

and I don't want to talk about it,
but you guys, you guys are, are awesome.

And you've been doing it
since high school.

Yeah. Yeah, we're so much.

So you probably already spoken
about this stuff.

So ten year, ten years.

Yeah.

And, I mean, it started with basketball
that we all played in,

then morphed into the bowling
and into the ball for the jam for a cure.

And and you do the things
superheroes, superheroes and stuff.

So it's awesome.

It really is great and great. So,
and we love playing for you guys.

It's always fun.

And Eric, your thing,
you and I, we go back to you

on the Saint Patrick's Day heroes. He's.

It's just saying. That's it. Yeah. So,

as I said, I
was the marshal and you were the honoree.

The honoree is, you've done something.

You've actually actually done something
good for the town, which is your your,

your charity, the a marshal.

All I had to do was try not to
get too drunk and get off a parade route.

Hey, that's not an easy task.

No, it's.

I mean, come on, you serve a credit. So.

So anyway. What we gave out Mike to sing.

Come on, give us a little song.

I got, let me think, One week when.

Our monkeys is more than you can say.

And so get monkey's meat products.

Look for this circle lamb brain.

All right. We. Yeah. Go set up. Thank you.

Won't stick around.

Eddie's playlist. Yeah.
Thank you. Eddie. We'll see you.

See you.

Take it easy. Man.

Best worst last first.

So I we were in the middle, George,
for a cure.

Now, do you do costumes at everything?

Do you do costumes
because you guys had themed.

Well, matching foursomes for the golf two.

Is that encouraged?
Yeah. Is there a prize?

There's no prize at golf? No.

We really encourage the prizes.

Just for the jam.

But, you know, we like it
when teams get creado

because you want to let people know
who's on your team. Exactly.

So that the amount of costumes
and like, onesies and wigs

I have in my closet,
you think I'm a huge it's it's insane.

My mom is like, whoa, what are you
what is all this stuff?

It's it's it's hysterical.

And I it's it makes it so much more fun.

Nice.

I think, I think my favorite event,
Superhero Sunday,

super Sunday is a relatively new event
for ball, for sure.

We just had our third,
and we're about to do our fourth.

We partnered directly
with Connecticut Children's Foundation.

And last year we had, over 1500 people

who showed up to do A5K on a Sunday
morning and Super Sunday.

And then we have a big community bash
with everybody.

And my favorite part about this event

is it piggybacks on Connecticut Children's
Superhero Day.

So at the hospital
they have one day every year where

everybody dresses up as a superhero
and reminds

the children how courageous they all are,
how they're the superheroes in our lives.

So they have that event at the hospital,
and we, worked

with Connecticut Children's to kind of
bring that outside of the hospital doors.

And that was the beginning
of Superhero Sunday.

So now every year,
that's a good costume party

because you got people running the five K
and some crazy, outfits.

We have a kids K, so like a kids mile
that the kid younger kids can run.

And then afterwards, we just have tons
of tents and community businesses set up.

We did that Wethersfield Cove last year.

And it's just it's a special day.

It's done in the morning.

It's just it's

a, wholesome way to end your week and,
I guess, start the new week.

Nice. Do you know the date on that?

I, you know, I gotta look at my calendar.

It's usually the last Sunday in April.

Okay, so Sunday maybe, next year, last
Sunday in April, and we'll promote it.

It is, it is a great event to attend
I love it.

All right.
You know, try to make that one too.

I like dressing up.

I think I have a,

what superhero I was.

Spider, Superman. Sure.

Okay, that will. Work, I have one.

Have you ever donned a Spiderman costume?

What is Don?

Don like? Worn it. Don. And. Oh.

Yeah,
we all wear Spider-Man's our first year.

But not Superman.
We haven't done the Superman yet.

We haven't done Superman.
We just done Spider-Man. Spider-Man.

It's like you got to be comfortable
with your body.

There's a lot of me.
We are weird and skin tight.

Though you are, you are we?

We threw some shorts on it. Right.

You got to remember,
this is a family event. Yeah.

And we still believe in,
you know, making everybody feel excited.

Yeah. Oh, yeah.

No, I did it at, at a parade
during a camp, and I was just like.

Oh, but, yeah, maybe.

Maybe, you know. Let's shorts up.

Have some.

So first, last, best, worst.

We got your first one.

That was, the our basketball tournament,
so I was.

Oh, yeah. So you.

I remember your mom
telling me you were like.

She was like,
when Luke had that 1500 bucks, it will.

Could have been a million. It him.

It was so proud.

And and then that, like, lit the fire.
Yeah.

Here you are
ten years later, like growing.

And it's just an amazing story.

Well, I think, you know,
and you get this too,

with your friends, Afeni,
that it's not really just all about

how much money you raise,
but how much money you can

raise is a testament to the community
that you're bringing together.

Right? Like so ball for a cure.

Our our mission is to unite communities
around patients and families.

A pediatric cancer, but,
you know, sometimes we get lost

and we need to, you know, raise
as much money, which is our goal, right?

Is to raise as much money
to help as many families as possible.

But it's also to bring people together

to show people that there's a community
behind them, to stand in solidarity.

So when we got that $1,500 that first
year, I was just like, look at this.

Like we actually did something
with the community that we're a part of.

And I think I was more
proud of the people who showed up

for all of us than I was just to get,
you know, some money.

Right? Like it's like you're proud of it.

Then you're like,
I. Got this for playing hoop.

And then and like, you know,
just we did our,

we did our jam for a cure golfer cure
the other weekend.

And this was just one weekend
and we raised over $35,000.

So, you know, like, you can see that.

Yeah, 1500 has has grown.

And and I think,

in our organization, we're proud to report
that we've raised over $500,000

over ten years
for yeah, it's cool for patients

and families of pediatric cancer
and for the Connecticut children's,

Greatest Needs Fund.
So that's amazing. It's been cool.

Half a mil. Yeah.

Jeez. That's. Well, congratulations.

Cheers to that. It's good. Yeah.

To. All rights go over some spine.

We've got some sponsors
here. Direct line Media.

We talked about golf law group, Parkville
management, Keating agency, people's

Bank, the fix, Ivy float 41,

Sally and Bob's and West Hartford lock.

So with West Hartford Lock,

what are three keys
that make you guys a great nonprofit?

Three keys brought to you by West
Hartford Lock.

Yeah.

I think the first thing is
that you want to be fun, right?

Like the goal of a nonprofit
isn't to just,

you know, drag everybody out
for some event that you're running,

but you want it to be

something that people get excited about
and that they rally behind. So.

So that's number one is we try to make
all of our events a lot of fun.

Yeah.

I mean, one of the best things you hear
is right after an event,

someone will be like, I man, I can't
wait for this year and next year.

Yeah.

And like
they already got in their calendars like.

And people that can't come, they're like,
I got to make sure I make time for this

and set aside that weekend for next year
because it's just always so much fun.

Yeah.

And number two is like in that same
vein is the community partners.

Like, there's no way that a small
nonprofit where 100% volunteer run

grassroots,

there's no way that we could succeed
without community partners like New Park

Brewery, like Parkville Market,
like the people over at Tonks says.

Like all of our sponsors,

fresh, and who does all of our shirts
like the list goes on and on and on.

And you can't be successful
without community partners.

So that's number two.

And then I think

the third point is that, you
just the third key is.

Yeah. All right.

The third key is just to have to build
that community.

Right. Like, yeah.

And friends of Feeney, I mean,

the best thing that you guys did,
I think, is be a good friend.

Oh, right.

Like, how do you build a community more
so than just kind of with a slogan

that we all want to get behind? Yeah.
We want to be like your friend.

And and that's how you become successful.

It's like you build a community

that people might not see each other
throughout the year,

but they'll show back up
for that golf tournament

or for that Saint Patrick's Day
after party,

and they'll show up
and they'll see the same people

and they're just like, get,
you know, proud and excited to be doing

something good for the community,
with the community that they love. So,

if I got that right, community partners,

making your events fun in the community
who actually shows up?

Love it.

Three keys. Three keys. And yeah.
Thank you. Yeah.

Like you pointed out, to be a good friend,
this is like,

everyone should be able to get behind
us, drive like a friend,

you know, like I say, we hold the door,
pick up trash is not yours.

Just anything. Be a good friend.

Call it.

Check in on a buddy.

Yeah. Write a handwritten note to someone.

Thank you. Cards.

All different ways to.

Be a laugh.

Ask somebody how their day's
going and actually,

like, mean it and want to hear the answer.

Yeah, you know, like start there.

Also huge thank you to Fresh up Fresh

ink day from Fresh ink involve
all of our sweet.

Yeah cheers.

And they've asked that he loves the ball.

Jam for a cure.

Loves that guy. Knows his music.

Sure loves jam for a cure.

Now he did.

He did cold design that
and send it to Dave.

Yeah.

No, I think I think, I mean,
we had another set of T-shirts, but

I think Dave just kind of
just printed these just on his own accord

and then this and gave us a couple
extra shirts, which is great.

And I saw him rocking the hand,
the ball for cure hat. Wow.

So he's a good guy big time. Oh, yeah.

We got some pizza coming
in. We'll do a better heals.

He's been with us all ten years, right,
I think.

Wasn't he the one who did the shirts
our first year too?

Yeah.

He's he's great man.

And he he truly enjoys it and loves
going to our events,

which is all we can ask for.

Yeah. And his partner
Tom, shout out to us.

Yes, yes.

Hatchets. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

That guy's funny.

Yeah. When you call and talk with him.

Tom touched on
Tommy, I call him I love Tom.

It's gone.

Touchdown. Tom.

I will,

yeah. Awesome.

Awesome stuff you got going on there. So.

Oh, French
Cleaners is our presenting sponsor.

I cannot not think French cleaners.

You ever connect with them or use them?

I got to use a suit all the time.

They're my dry cleaning them in Park Road
or my dry cleaning.

Go to love those guys. Yes.

French
cleaner can get the stain out of anything.

Yeah, I drop wing sauce on a pink shirt.

I got a dirt on a hat once.

Bring it to French.
We need that. Eric. You?

Yeah. Like. Yeah.

I was going to say I could have. Really?

Is that since I somehow
stain everything that I wear.

I cannot wear something
without getting food on it, so.

Yeah.
So then we got some questions. Just like,

what was a moment that you guys sat back
and we're like, man.

Like got emotional about like I'm sure
I'm going to guess it was like the run.

Your five k run sounds like that.

You're really passionate about that one.
But that would be my guest.

Letter to Matt first
and I'll think of mine.

Or Jim on the hot seat.

Yeah. Put me on the hot seat.

I mean, as a tough question,

I guess, because, you know,
I think, I think we,

we have, like, a team meeting and like,
and like a collaborative, you know,

sort of, like dinner or something
after all of our events.

And I think every time it's just, wow,
I just can't believe that this is so.

And there's endless opportunities, right?

So just keep spitballing.

After lights
keeps growing and growing and growing.

And I just don't know
if there's an actual moment.

But every time after the event,

we all get together and just

kind of like, just take it all in, like,
all right, well, I guess we just got.

We gotta keep going. We gotta.

We gotta find new ways
to get creative and grow.

So I can't think of a specific event, but,

What I'm.

Going to see
now that I had a minute to think about if,

you know,
you did mention that Super Sunday

and this is an event that really
we get good buy in from the hospital

where a lot of patients and their families
and the staff, the doctors and nurses,

they show up.

And I remember I ran the five K this year.

What were we in?

Incredible costumes this year?
We did Incredibles this year.

No no no no, we were flash this year
right where we were. Flash.

So I, we ran in in a flash costume.

I crossed the finish line
and I see my dad's watching everybody.

So I go and I stand next to my dad,
which is cool, by the way, right?

Like when your whole family gets involved.

And that's how we've been so lucky, is
we got like the best families

who always show up for our events
and help out.

So I'm standing next to my dad
and we're watching people cross,

and there's a little boy
must have been less than five years old,

and he was receiving care at Connecticut
Children's, and he was in a full walker.

And his mom was kind of helping him
get towards the finish line.

And then she let go of the walker
and he started,

you know, walking on his own and slow.

And everybody realized
what was going on. Right?

So everybody just starts
clapping him on at the finish line

and he's going
and he's kind of looking back at mom.

He's smiling,
and he crosses the finish line.

Everybody erupts, right?

Like they're so excited for this kid
who's receiving care.

He has a lot of mobility impairments.

And just like the joy that you saw
on this little kid's face.

And I turned to my dad,
and I was like, that's why we do it.

Yeah, right. There. She's.

Get me in my feels, man. Yeah.

Yeah. Your breath.

That was awesome.

That was great.

That's great.

Sharing that personal experience. Yeah,

I'm a third grade teacher.

So, you know, I've been working with kids
for the past 22 years, and it's a help.

I'm in and out of the classroom.
It's like it's an amazing thing.

You see stuff like that

and just puts a perspective on your life,
you know, like what?

You could be having a bad day
and you're like, that was truly amazing.

So no, nobody makes a bigger impact
on the community

and future generations than teachers.
Yeah.

So like,
shout out to the teachers out there.

You guys are the ones who make it happen.

Absolutely. Thank you.

Thank you.

Oh, yeah.

Speaking of which,
why didn't you become a teacher then?

I made that silly decision.

I went to law school, became a lawyer,
but my mom's a teacher.

My dad's a teacher, my sister's a teacher.

It's just in the bloodline.

So, you know, hopefully I'm still young.

Maybe one day
I'll get back and get into the classroom.

You never know.

Doing this whole law thing, though. First.

Yeah.

Shout out to Coach Reynolds.

Great coach
teacher. Great guy, awesome guy.

Luke and I were actually a camp counselors
that run, right? Yeah.

Together for we went to camp together
and then we became camp counselors

for years after, after
we were too old to actually go to camp.

But the best. Summer job of all time.
Was incredible.

I remember a summer adventure camp and it.
Yeah.

But yeah, we actually, Brian and
Shay was also a camp counselor with us.

Max Kramer
showed up for one day, one time.

Bring your buddy to work day.

I don't know if the camp were,
approved of that one, but.

No, no.

That's great. No. So, yeah.

Camp counselors
halfway to being a teacher.

You're there. You did it.

You experienced it sure is not listening.

Yeah, yeah.

So now. No, I don't want to.
All right. Fun.

No. It's great.

Oh, so that's a question
I ask my favorite teacher, Mrs.

Giraud.

My fifth grade teacher,
practically changed my life.

My parents were going through a divorce.
I was in a tough spot.

She met with my mom. She met with me.

She let me play.

Where in the world?

In Carmen, San Diego,
the Oregon Trail, you know.

And then next, you know, I was sitting
by myself because of my behavior.

But then I got to join a group she like,

and then she became a principal
and then hired me to be a teacher.

So I taught at the same school I went to
as a kid, Kingsbury School in Waterbury.

Wow. My favorite teacher.

So who's your favorite teacher?

I think I'd have to go with, Mr.

Coleman.

He was actually.

George Coleman, but, As you say, Coleman.

Now, he was,
I took ancient Greek in high school

as my language and just kind of like
to try something new.

And he was just super awesome. Super just.

And he.

Oh, we actually.

Yeah, we also went on a, a trip to,

to Europe with him as well, actually.

Well, Dorsey
joined me on the trip as well, but,

basically,
he was the one who convinced me to do it,

and it was one of the coolest experiences
that I've, that I've had.

So, yeah. Dynamic guy. Yeah. He's great.

I got to go with Doug Crampton.

And if you're listening to this,
shout out to Mr.

C, not only was he,
my baseball coach back in the day,

but he was my history
teacher in eighth grade.

One phenomenal teacher.

But he he really instilled the importance
of learning our history

and how that shapes
who you can be as an individual

and what you might want to do based off,
you know, history.

And he taught us
more than just being a student,

but he, you know, showed us how to be
a good person, which is nice, little guy.

So Coach C's men.

Women. And are we very far?

All right, well, coach C,
watch this minute 35.

Coach C right. Mr. C is this red bro?

Mr. C yeah. Red Brook you think? Is
he still there? Is he still around?

Oh, he.

Knows he's retired.

He's taking care of his grandchild up
in Boston.

He moved up there,
but I saw him a few weeks ago.

And I'd be remiss to say Mrs.

Cramp and his wife,
my first grade teacher.

Man, she she
she taught me how to count, how to start.

Right?
Like she was the best teacher she was.

She was fun.

So I think the two of them,
probably they might outshine

my own parents as teachers
for the best couple teachers, Award.

Yeah.

I actually have to change my answer

to just every teacher
that ever had to deal with me as soon.

Yeah,

I know, I

like I said, I

went back to teach at Kingsbury School
and a couple of teachers were still there,

like Miss Wise, that she was like,
you're a teacher.

Like she remember me as a kid.

I was just like, oh, yeah, I was scared.

I mean, it's wise as a student,
and I was scared of her as a teacher.

So you understand
what I had to go through?

Yeah. Yeah.

I know all the tricks

now. Cool.

So ten years coming up. So congrats.

Where do you see
you guys self in like five years from now?

Ten years from now?

You're all high school
buddies, you know, getting up there.

You guys are so old now.

Getting up there, dude. Come on.

I got my best years in front of me.

Come on.

Don't make me feel that way.

You know, we're about to hit 30, so we're,

we're we're a year away from that,
so we're starting to feel it.

I can tell you that much.

We're not playing basketball anymore.

So. 30. Yeah.

But I think we're excited
about the future.

Like Matt was saying, we've grown
every single year since starting.

And I think what we want to do
next is kind of expand our mission,

into different communities
that are doing philanthropic events

and might not know what cause
they want to get behind.

So we actually rolled out,
a college initiative that we've done at

Uri at Michigan and at Maryland now,

where we partner with fraternities

and sororities to kind of like
take our blueprints of our events,

and roll it out in their community
to support patients

and families and pediatric cancer
within their community.

But I think to really execute that well,
I think the next step is hiring

an executive director or somebody
who can devote a lot more time to it.

And really seeing this model,
which is based off community

and bringing people together
for the people within their own community,

kind of rolling that out in other areas
of, the state, in the country.

So I think that that's our lofty five,
ten year goals.

I like, and we're on our way, but,
we just got to get there.

I don't bob the kids.

I like the idea colleges and. Right.

Because the whole thing is about, like,
we started when we were in high school.

And that's not to say that you can't start
at 60 years old doing what we're doing,

but it's a great time to,
you know, bring a group together.

And we have the luxury of saying,
not only will you feel like you're

doing great things in the community, but
you'll never feel closer to your friends

than if you do something with them year
over year to help other people?

I like it.

Yeah. Man.

I'm I'm just happy to finally.

We're, like, connected.

We play hoop together. Yeah.

I can't believe you're only.
You're not there. Yet.

Eric. Sneaky.
Pretty quick. Up and down the court.

All right. Yeah.

Now, funny, when, You likes
to post on the, the block, though.

He love Oreo. Which.

Tom. Oreo. Yeah, yeah.

Oreo called me
Feeney. Reese. Feeney. Reese.

Angel. Feeney. Yeah.

Because I, I missed all these layups
that I kept getting my rebound.

Oh, I didn't say
you actually made the shots.

You just post up down there, all.

Right, it's ten in a row.
But I kept getting my board.

He goes, Feeney. Reese.

Yeah, I was like, wow,
that kind of hurt. Just padding.

Mario got me

and time the guy there, right?

Yeah. The shooter.
Yeah yeah yeah yeah. Shoot it.

I mean, when you have to go to that guy
on a Sunday morning

after going out Saturday,
it's it's a nightmare.

Yeah, truly a nightmare.

He keeps
you also very generous. Donated cigars.

Does he donate cigars? Yeah. Yeah.
He donated.

He was out of town this year,
but he donated last year for the cigars.

Great guy, great guy.

And then James and.

Dude, don't mess with Damon on the court.

Yeah, well, you got to remember
Draymond played college ball.

All right.

He's got a little like you know
fundamental leg up on us.

Yeah.

But I'll never be intimidated by that guy.

You can't.

All right I.

Was talking to Jameson last night
at the bunker after the golf tournament.

We were out and he was laying him
a chopping up about how we can get

a New York league and,
maybe doing a tournament there.

And he was just he was like,
he's just got to do he's like,

get those, get those lazy
guys up in New York, get them together.

You guys can said,
you guys can send it to him out there.

And I'll see. He's right.

We should we should get back to our roots.

Yeah I like you know Jamie love that guy.

Now, I think I filed him
once or something.

He's like, Fini looked me dead in pieces.

Don't ever do that again
or it's going to be on kind of like that.

And I was like, okay, got all serious.

Or he said, a screen,
and I ran through it, or

I moved the screen or something
where my shoulder hit his stern.

I he'll, he'll, he'll tell you, yeah. He,
he can take over a game.

Oh yeah, he can do that.

And then oh he's got a great shot. Okay.

Yeah, yeah.

He, he's he's good.
He like that turnaround.

He thinks he's Paul Pierce out the corner
over there. Yeah.

Good.

That's guy I like to guard. Yeah.

Not just because you got some inches I.

That's it. Yeah.

So no.

And then you do some really cool stuff.

We talked yesterday. Longest putt.

I love that stuff.

Yeah. I didn't think about that.
You know we have a golf tournament.

We do longest drive.

We do closest to the whole hole in one,
of course.

But the longest putt.
Like you got to be creative.

Yeah. We are.

It's actually not us.

Like, we lack the creativity here.

There's other guys on our team
that are amazing, but also our volunteers.

So each year at our golf tournament.

And this is why you should play, whether
you're a good golfer or a hacker like us.

Yeah.

Because each hole,

there's something different going on.

We got all these volunteers out there
who are coming up with new creative

things.

Like on one hole
this year, totally not planned.

They had a handstand competition, and
they had somebody for doing photographs.

So each team, they get up there,
they're getting up to the tee box

and they're just like,
hey, we're doing a. Handstand.

Handstand and everybody was like, what?

And they all did it and they got pictures.

And then they put all the pictures off
next to each other of all these people.

So like our volunteers are the ones who
just keep on thinking of fun things to do.

But, yeah. And then we got the longest
putt competition.

I think it was like 28ft.

Somebody sunk it this year.

For ten feet?

Yeah, for like a birdie at longest.

No, no, there's one hole. One hole.

And then we've, we've dabbled with,
a shotgun hole where the entire

the entire team has a shotgun, a beer,
and then you time it nice.

Yeah. That that's,

that one's optional, folks.

All right.

We thought of one
where your team spreads out down

and you toss the ball,
and that's your, like, a reel out.

Yeah, really? I say I throw to you,
I catch. It as cool.

But if we drop it, we hit from here
our first shot.

But if I catch it, go to my third dude
and then the fourth guy.

You can start your first shot.

Yeah. Way ahead. So. Wow.

You got to get some soft mitts in there.

Water balloon.

I want those high school receivers
I might need.

You know.

We had this guy jumps by key.

He's like, TikTok. You one. Yeah,
yeah. Yes.

He he can touch 11ft.

He brought that jump the vert.

So we were testing vert on. All right.

Now you got to tell us
what did you get me.

Yeah. You

do I can't even jump over a dollar bill.

I'm in the video.

I'm like hanging my head in shame,
swinging and missing.

No hops whatsoever.

Yeah, I got lead, lead feet too.

So we've also had, we brought a guy out
one time, has, like, a golf ball launcher

where you. Can hand it
the can and. Hit and.

Yeah, and it shoots at like 300
freaking yards on a par five.

I was thinking. About doing that, too.
That's a good one. Yeah.

And there's just fun ways
to get people involved.

We have a whole fortune hole.

So, like, if you want to step up and play,
you spin the wheel,

and it might be great, right?

It might be like you shoot from the red
tees or like you get a pack of balls,

but it also might be like, oh,
you have to shoot with a pitching wedge,

or you have to, you know, move back to the
the tips that the furthest tee box back.

So it's, it's a whole fortune.

And we have we have good sponsors.

I think this year we were, Wentworth
sponsored that or car insurance agency.

Hoffman was the sponsor.

Yeah, yeah. So it's, Gavin Wentworth.

Is. I know Ned is the one who runs it.

I'm not sure if, you know, he has a son
on all of his name's Gavin and I.

Oh, great.

Great. It's the same one.

Yeah. Great guy. Yeah.

Yeah.
What else do we do? That was a good one.

No, those are great. I've seen them, too.

You sit in a recliner
and you have the drive from sitting down.

I've never seen that, but that's awesome.

Does that come with you the whole round?

You know, you every hole.

Oh, yeah.

We get game day,
Connor from the yard goats to heckle.

And you pay him the shut up
or you pay him to heckle more.

Yeah that one a popular.
And shout out to game day. Connor.

He just did a, a tournament over at,
tumble Brook in honor of his dad. Yep.

And, I heard it was spectacular.
The dinner.

I had school that day, but
I went to the after party, for the rally.

For it?

Yeah, I couldn't I'm sick.

Yeah. Like, see,
you know, there's pictures of me golfing.

Yeah, yeah.

Yeah, but I went to the dinner after.

It was a great time. He's a great guy.
I love that dude. Game day. Connor.

Podcast guests go back and check it out.

And, so good stuff.

All right. So.

Oh, this is sponsored by Sally and Bob's.

You guys get the gift cards involved.

Thank you.

Helen and Cesar.

You can gift cards to Sally and Bob's.
I don't have them. But why?

Getting chocolate chip pancakes?

That's. That's dynamite.

So what's your go to at Sally and Bob?

I love I'm I'm a simple guy.

I like the two eggs, two things
a bacon and some, two.

Two, two. Yeah.

The chocolate chip pancakes
I swap for the chocolate chip.

You know,
I pay a couple extra bucks for the chips,

but my, my girlfriend,
she loves the, eggs Benedict.

Oh, yes. That's what I get. I'm
the eggs Benedict.

Yeah, I mean. Benny with the hash.

Yeah, yeah. That's you. Yes.

One year I made Belize.

I introduced the class, and I'm like,
hey, Mr.

Eric Feeney, bye bye bye.

My favorite food is tacos. My least
favorite food?

Chocolate chip pancakes.

The whole year, Mr.

Feeney, we're going to make you eat
chocolate chip pancakes.

Sure. Problem, man.

What's wrong with some chocolate?

I separate you have to separate
your desserts in your breakfast.

Chocolate as a dessert pancake is a brick.

All right, now, let me add your question.

Do you have a donut
every once in a while? True.

All right,
come on. Case closed, your honor.

Who brought the lawyer? Who got him?

Who brought the lawyer?

So I said,
and then we do. I, aspect testing.

So I will tell all the kids
if you really work hard and eat the dude,

do well at the aspect testing out,
eat chocolate chip pancakes.

That's all.

Dude, I, I had 20 kids bring in pancakes
and I had to eat

like a little bit of each one.

Somewhere in Ziploc bag,
somewhere in like, plates.

One worked at Avon Country Deli,
so those were like buttery and tasty.

Melted. That was awesome.

I feel so bad for you. Horrible.

And one kid would goes this if he did.

Did you just do this for free lunch?

And I was like, well, kind of.

But I can answer pancakes.

But Sally and Bob's
back to its favorite restaurant,

and there's a follow up
question favorite restaurant?

Anyone in the world doesn't
have to be West Hartford Beetle Tavern.

Oh, nice.

That is a crazy question.

I think right now, Savoy, I go to several
times one of my favorite places to go.

Nice. They had a Tommy cutlet pizza.

Did you ever try that?

Oh, I haven't, I usually get the,
the Betty Rivet as my go to.

And the salsa prieto with the hot oil,

and I'm probably saying that wrong,
but I got salsa pizza pizza over here.

They say that right around.

So it's so, so proud of,
All right, so you're Ashton?

No, I'm in town.

You're at beach Lou.
You can eat for guests, dead

or alive, anywhere in the world,
who you eat and what.

And we'll go to you next for guests.

Anyone in the world, man.

Probably throwing Larry
Bird up there right away.

Yes. Gonna say, like.

One of my favorite
basketball players ever.

I have a Larry Bird shrine.

Oh, I used to have a shrine in my house.

I'm gonna ask. To pray to it.

I'm gonna throw a George Washington
on that list.

I think it would be interesting,
but pre wooden teeth. Right?

I don't know if I can eat with that
all day.

And then

who is the third one?

I got a probably my boy Tom Brady.

I know that
might be controversial out there,

but he's my guy, so I'm going
Brady Bird in Washington.

You get one more for oh or if you want.

Probably Eric.

Eric Feeney. Yeah let's go.

Guy. Keep the conversation. Going as.

I don't.

I during recess I throw
we used to do two hand touch.

Yeah.

And the Tom Brady of recess
I threw for a million yards zero

interceptions all touchdowns
I put the put it on the target snap now.

Yeah.

You know just oh I'm.

On both teams I'm very fair
and I'm just so.

Accurate Eric as I mentioned this. Yeah.

But I grew up across the street
from Wolcott to where he threw these dimes

during recess.

And that's really my old turf.

I clocked like a good 18 years
on that turf at Wolcott.

So I don't know.

I mean, I. Had my I had a little workout
challenge there too.

I think I do career. On either of goals.

I, I I've, I
you know, I'll admit it on on the podcast

I might have embellished
my amount of wins and backyard.

But I want.

To say he had some crazy claim on
how many wins he had in backyard football.

And it was so outlandishly just wrong.

I don't know, you've had you admitted you.

I mean, if you were on my team,
you're winning now, is it?

You've come a long way.

So I'm glad you admitted that.
I just a little bit in.

My buddy Ty Tran, board of directors, JC
guy, he says Feeney

I'm the all time leading scorer at it Park

and I go on the fast way.

Take him out. Yeah, yeah.

So you're the all time leading touchdowns.

Home runs out with a walk at school.
Yeah. Yeah.

Ty's got Wolcott Park scoring
okay I got recess.

Touchdown.

All right. Fair enough.

I wasn't out there for recess

for guests.

Oh, I probably go Dan Hurley.

One I'm. Trying to get him on the part.

I'm all right.

I'm trying. He said he would. Danny,
what are you waiting for?

Yeah. Come on, come on.

Can we give them Philly? Dude,

These are your people here, all right.

What?

Season ticket holder. Damn it.

Come on. Our events sale.

But so then I do
Drew Brees on the Saints fan.

I do Mac Miller, my favorite artist.

Oh, I like Mac.

And then, honestly, I'm not on Twitter
by any means, but I think I would do

Jerry Garcia just because of
just the legends of of who he is.

I like it. Yeah, not George Washington.

Did you. See.

No appreciation of history here.

Mac Miller, George Washington,

did you see that line for his bobbleheads
at Pirates Stadium?

When they did it?

They did bobbleheads for that.

I think a corny like Mac Miller Day.

But yeah, it was crazy.

It was lined up
like five hours prior to the game.

All right, all right.

No no no no no no five.

You got to. Go. You're four.

I've always

Mister Rogers. Okay.

Love that man.

That's a wholesome.

Yeah. Right there. Yeah, yeah.

Old dirty bastard from the Wu-Tang clan.

Okay, okay.

All right. That.

Abraham Lincoln

and my wife, Nicole.

Whoa! Hey. Damn.

I'm changing.

I'm changing my mind. Lizzy.

You're in. Eric. You're out.

No, I've seen that.

I've seen a guy do that. Move on.
I was like that smooth.

Yeah, I got to remember that move, I
or I really meant it from the heart.

Yeah, yeah.

My wife, Afeni, I love you.

Oh, no. No. That's great.

Do you have any questions for me?

That was a good.

I like how you spun that
on me. Well done, well done.

How did you guys get started?

Yeah.

So, yeah, 12 years ago now.

13 years ago
now, I got my first job at West Hartford.

I was a fifth grade teacher.

Gabby Solon was in my class. Unexpectedly.

Her dad had a heart attack.

We had to do something.

I was a new dad at the time.
I'm from a divorce family.

I know how it is
not to see my dad every once in a while.

I could never imagine
never seeing him again.

So we did GoFundMe.

We marched in the Park Road parade.

It was like a gag.

They were like the Friends of Feeney,

because the kids on a float
is like a rinky dink,

trailer and,

but GoFundMe, you come to find out taxes.

The recipient
takes a portion of every donation.

The following year.

I'm teaching third grade
at this time, and Rashad, his dad,

gets shot
and killed at a boxing event in Hartford.

So I'm like, oh, this is too much.

And I think we
I called a couple of lawyers

and we worked out where we got an,

nonprofit, and we've been helping families
ever since.

We just helped our 125th family
and provided over $260,000.

We're now up to your half a million.
Yeah. You got ten. Years. Yeah,

yeah.

That's so that's that's cool man. So yeah.

So it's it all starts somewhere, right?

And we just continue to grow.

And then I saw something
about to be a good friend.

And I'm like, you know,
I need, like, the friends of senior, like,

you know, we got a slogan or, you know,
green is our brand of color every day.

Treat every day like Saint Patty's Day,
you know, green.

Be a good friend.

I've said it a million times.

And again,

having children of my own, I want to model
that where we don't have everything.

You know,

we're getting by, but we have to give back
and they come to events, their help out.

So I'm so happy.

My daughters, my wife, family.

Marty's a retired teacher.
You were talking about teachers earlier?

Jen is an occupational therapist
at Wolcott.

So great team I.

We've been just trying to help
as many families as we can.

We create a donate request form.

We're getting, like, at least

I want to say once a week
someone's requesting.

There's so much tragedy
and heartbreak in the world.

So we're just trying to help.

Yeah. So, yeah.

Good question.
Thanks for asking. How Reza,

you know, how do you think
that running this nonprofit

and working with the families
who are experiencing

hardship has changed
who you are as a teacher?

Oh, yeah,
I noticed that, too, at school, too.

It's like I do that. They're like,
come on.

I always encourage
you want to be a good classmate.

You want to be a good learner,
but you also want to be a good friend.

Encourage the kid to play.

That is all sitting alone at recess,
or help a friend

that's struggling in a
in a problem at school or a math equation.

So I always saw kid walk by trash.

I'm like, oh, can you pick that up?

Well, it's not mine. Why?

I could say, hey,
we'll be a good friend and pick it up.

And then like, something
triggers and registers like,

oh, so I use that a lot
actually in the classroom.

Be a good friend.

And and now the kids in turn,
some kid in fourth grade

was running for vice president.

Moms just sent me the video
and shout out to Hudson.

My guy was like, warm my heart.

He's like the ten reasons
I'm good at vice principal.

I'm going to be a good vice president
for the student council of walk at school.

He's like one.

I forgot what they were, but he gets to.

Then he goes, six, seven.

I'm going to be a good friend,
just like Mr.

Feeney taught me.

And I was like, oh, yeah, fourth grade.

I had him in 30.

He remembers that,

in the six seven gag is like a thing
the kids do now.

I don't know if you know that trick.

You probably don't, I?

I see it on my Twitter.

I don't understand what it is.

I don't I don't see it, I see it.

I know you're talking. Yeah.

So the kid did it, but I was six seven
and that got

that automatically got pop from the crowd
because then the kids and then he's like,

oh, I'm being a good friend.
I should just pull it up.

But a great video with. All my heart.

Number six seven I'm a good friend. You

number.

Naturally. I love to make people laugh.

Make love to number.

Last day last week I was in my honor
to be the best Vice president.

Spoke at school ever had.

Vote for the 2025, 20, 26, 67.

Peace out.

I mean, it's such a great line.

And like you said before, there's yeah,
how could you not get behind the.

Yeah, yeah.

Cool.

Well, speaking of my students
and speaking of questions,

ready for some crazy questions?

Bring it out.

I don't know.

Crazy questions for you.

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