Students at Northpoint High School in NY have raised 1.5 million for ALS research in honor of a couple of teachers in their school district who had been diagnosed with the disease. They have supported 9 different ALS organizations over the past six years. Much like our friend Tim, they believe that collaboration is key to finding a cure.

A Midwinter Night’s Dream is an annual charity fundraiser held by The Northport High School chapter of the National Honor Society that supports Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease) research. You can find out more about it here. This year’s event, held January 7th, 2010 raised $412,000. Guest speakers and honorees included Comedian Richard Kind, Yankees’ Nick Swisher and Comedian Caroline Rhea as well as many others.

There are many ways that you can help. Donate money, create awareness and be creative like the kids at Northpoint High. Tim’s Often Awesome Army has held benefit music performances, art auctions and other fundraising events with more to come in the future. Don’t think that your idea is silly or can’t make a difference because it can. Think outside the box. I think the most frustrating thing about this disease is the lack of public awareness. I think if more people were aware of how terrible this disease is then there would be more of an urgency to get researchers the funding they need to find a cure. Much respect for the students at Northpoint for a job well done.