Together Everyone Achieves More
T.E.A.M., Inc. 

We started our journey after suffering a devastating loss during the pandemic.

3rd Annual Samuel Rivera COVID Memorial 5k Run/Walk

Sammy was a volunteer in his community and lost his life helping others during the pandemic.  Each year we gather at his favorite park to walk in his memory. Although we all wish to put the pandemic behind us, we do not want to forget those taken by this dreadful virus. 

If you’ve lost someone to COVID please join us.  The walk will culminate with a balloon release in memory of ALL those we’ve lost during the pandemic.

Due to inclement weather this event has been canceled. Reschedule date TBD.

Check-in starts at 11am. Race starts at 12 noon.

Registration fee: $10 (includes snacks/drinks and an opportunity to win cash prizes).

Who we are:

A registered 501(c)(3) public charity.

Supporting low-income children/families affected by COVID and/or lost a parent or guardian to COVID-19.

• 2020 •

Rafael Rodriguez

10/11/1945 - 02/21/2020

Aside from being a loving partner, brother, uncle, cousin and friend, he was an artist that won first place at Woodstock, his works exhibited along side Keith Haring.  He was also an activist and advocate for the HIV population of Union County.

Samuel Rivera

04/10/1966 - 04/22/2020

He was a loving son, brother, husband, father and uncle.  He dedicated his life to public service.  He spent his free time helping his community by bringing food and medication to the elderly, visiting the ill at hospitals and nursing homes. 

Our Goal

To honor the memory of these two selfless souls by helping as many individuals/families as we can.  Your donations will be used to help those that are struggling financially during these tumultuous times.  Whether it is a bill that needs to be paid, an appliance repaired or replaced, clothing that is needed, holiday toys for children or just money for groceries.   

These are all items/issues that, both Rafael and Sammy helped with, for so many members of their communities.  

We wish to continue their work through these initiatives:

The Rafael Rodriguez Memorial Scholarship Fund (benefiting a low income student of the Arts).

The Samuel Rivera Memorial Scholarship Fund (benefiting a low income student of the trades).

Holiday Cheer Fundraiser/Toy drive (benefiting those that are struggling financially to ensure they are able to partake in Holiday traditions).

Pay It Forward (no income requirements), sometimes even those that are financially stable can hit a rough patch and need a hand to stay on track. A valid need and display of due diligence to resolve the need/issue are the only requirements. Approval is also based on availability of TEAMINC funds.

 

April
2020

Planting the Seed

Each year we will honor their memories by selecting two children to receive a small scholarship.  Recipients will be selected from a group of candidates nominated by the members of our Facebook Group: "2gether Every1 Achieves More" (Open to the public).

Winners will be selected based on their display of the following qualities/characteristics:

Respect for self/Respect for Others

Honesty/Trustworthiness

Responsibility

Empathy/Caring

Devotion to Goals

Our goal is to plant the seeds of altruism and encourage them to continue to grow into responsible, civic minded adults that will continue to pay it forward.

April
2021

• 2021 •

Our first scholarship awarded

1

DREAM

4

INITIATIVES

12

MONTHS

Our most treasured work

This is the recipient of the first annual Samuel Rivera Memorial Scholarship Fund awarded on April 22, 2021.  We collaborated with one of the co-founders and dear friend of the Coney Island Youth Organization (C.I.Y.O.), Maximino Guadalupe to find a worthy recipient. 

We selected Tyler, because he is a very respectful, thoughtful, conscientious, intelligent individual.  He is a team player, who is always the first to volunteer to help.  All qualities that Sammy exuded abundantly. 

We look forward to next year when we can bless another child and continue our partnership with Max Guadalupe and Jose Serrano, co-founders of  C.I.Y.O.

Holiday Cheer 
Fundraiser/Toy drive

With your help, we accomplished the following: 

Hosted Winter Wonderland events in Brooklyn, NY benefiting the children of BCS Cornerstone O'Dwyer Gardens and in Davenport, Fl benefiting families of Loughman Oaks Elementary and Polk County.

A pizza party at Surf City Pizzeria benefiting children of Coney Island and Brighton Beach.

Our volunteers also delivered "Holiday Cheer" to families in the Bronx and Brooklyn, New York

Elizabeth, New Jersey

Davenport and Kissimmee, Florida 

 

Dec
2021

Holiday Cheer Event continues...

Our Winter Wonderland Event in Davenport, Fl was a huge success thanks to all of our donors and our largest sponsor: Patriot Air Conditioning and Heating, LLC. of Davenport.

We collaborated with Loughman Oaks Elementary as well as local churches and we were able to fulfill the needs and wishes of twenty-two children from Polk County and their families.  With your support, we hope to reach more families by expanding our program. 

Please consider making a donation today.  Even the smallest donations help make a huge difference.

Dec
2021

Gallery

Photos from our Winter Wonderland Event in Polk County Florida sponsored by Patriot Air Conditioning and Heating, llc of Davenport.

Feb 2022

A T.E.A.M. of Neighbors

     We helped a family transition from a homeless shelter to their own three (3) bedroom apartment.  They were without utilities (light or water) and slept on the floor for the first two weeks.  We put a request out on the NextDoor app and neighbors in Osceola and Polk counties came together.  We were able to have their utilities turned on and furnish their apartment within six days.  Neighbors also provided, clothing, linens, toiletries, cookware, flatware and artwork. 

     One donor was gracious enough to provide a video game console along with a one (1) year subscription, paid in full, for the 10-year-old son.  He was overcome with excitement.  His first console ever! This was icing on the cake.  Thank you to everyone that donated.

April 2022

The 2nd Annual Samuel Rivera COVID Memorial 
5k Run/Walk.

Congratulations to Edwin M., this year's winner of the 2nd Annual Samuel Rivera Scholarship Award! Edwin is a very honest, respectful, mindful, trustworthy, team player who loves and understands the importance of family.  He also volunteers his summers, cleaning the beach at Coney Island.

His goal upon graduation, is to serve his country by joining the US Army.  Thank you to Liza Guadalupe for nominating such a worthy candidate.

 

The $500 award was issued during the 2nd Annual Samuel Rivera Memorial 5k Run/Walk, honoring those we've lost to COVID.  This year's event, despite the setbacks, was a success!

A special thank you to Sabrina's Event Decor of NYC for the beautiful set-up of our Registration Area.

In this picture, last year's winner Tyler R. handing the award to Edwin M.