 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
Rage in the Cage - 2010
Rage in the Cage ‘10
Rage in the Cage Celebrates an Awesome Victory
Whether you were on the court, in the tent, catching some rays, or just hanging out at the Garden City Country Club, Cherry Valley, or the Garden City Recreation Center (or all three), you were part of the best-ever turnout (325) for our legendary“ Rage in the Cage” event.
During the weekend of March 21st, with a little help from hundreds of our friends, we raised close to $70,000 to benefit the music therapy program and the research program at Winthrop’s Cancer Center for Kids. And best of all, we celebrated an awesome victory: the official end of Charlie’s cancer treatment!!
Our platform tennis tournament definitely lived up to the legend. Three separate draws were created among the 120 players who participated. “B” draw winners were: John & Melissa Maher who defeated Tim Houston & Dede Orr; winners of the “A” draw were Mike Atkins & Martha Ucko over Doug Crofton & Brook Confort. Juan Arraya & Keri DelMonico-Stulac beat Anton Marvin & Lisa Rudluff in the Championship Draw.
The tent party kicked off about 6 pm where guests watched the finals of all flights against a sunset any artist would have envied. The Center’s Music Therapist, Glenn Schifano, and his Boy Elroy Band rocked the house and played all night. Guest musicians Don Celenza, Billy Lucano, Tara Borzilleri, and Tara Schmitt performed a tribute to Charlie for completing five years of chemo. An acoustic version of Jimmy Cliffs’ Many Rivers to Cross, accompanied by slides of Charlie and Center pals, filled the room with tears of joy.
Charlie’s Champions is grateful to all our sponsors, donors and friends who generously provided their participation and support:
| A to Z Party Rentals | Abbey Rent All | Aila Main |
| Billy & Maura Roberti | Billy & Suzi Durand | Brian & Chris Burke |
| Chris & Cathy Nolan | Chris Diefendorf | Dan & Meagan Rothschild |
| David & Allison Dillemeier | David & Mary Jane Cassaro | Dennis & Norma Tslentis |
| Doug & Jessica Crofton | Dragon & Gisela Topalovic | Duane Hayden |
| Garden City Pizza | Glen Carlin – GCPT | Joe & Beth Castronovo |
| Joe & Laura Como | John & Petra Dehler | John & Sharon Cobb |
| Keri & Steve Flynn | Kevin & Chris Fee | Mark Brosnan Esq. |
| Martin Dehler Esq. | Matt Kelly | Matt Miller |
| Michael & Kathryn Rafferty | Michael Farley Esq. | Mike & Christine Tiedeman |
| Mike & Keri Stulac | Mike & Michelle D’Addario | Mike & Sheila Connelly |
| Mike & Tara Fargione | Neal & Peggy Griffin | Patrick & Kim Burke |
| Paul Sperry – IDP Consulting | Peter & Lucille Coleman | Peter & Melinda Kern |
| Puccio, Quinn Families | Ray & Cynthia George | Rob & Ali Malhame |
| Scott & Colleen O’Sullivan | Terry & Sally Mclaughlin | The George Family |
| The Thornton Family | Tim & Jen Schmitt | Tim Main |
| Tim MeEvoy | Tobin, Nagel, McCartney Families | Todd & Mary Kugler |
| Tom Haggerty | Tracy Jordan | Walkstreet |
Emily and Dave Cassaro CYCLE FOR SURVIVAL January, 31st 2010
Doug Cassaro runs Chicago Marathon for Charlie’s Champions Foundation
Doug Cassaro runs Chicago Marathon for Charlie's Champions - October 11, 2009
Garden City Casino Raises Funds For Charlie’s Champions Foundation
On Saturday, October 3rd, 2009, members from the Garden City Casino hosted a tennis match against the Cold Spring Valley Racquet Club.
Charlie’s Champions Foundation – Banner Year!!
Press Release for Winthrop University Hospital -- 1/22/09
By Barbara Sheilds
Jacquie Schmitt Runs "Boston Half Marathon" - October 2008
The race was early morning on October 19th. At the time it was the coldest morning of the season so far- 32 degrees but sunny. The race consisted of two loops through the city of Lowell and around the river. For the most part it was flat, but there were a few hills that got your heart pumping. Jeff, Sarah, and Jack (husband and kids) met me at mile 9 which gave me a boost to get through the rest of the race. I kept pace with a total stranger the whole time-we kind of kept each other going. We never talked until mile 11 when we both started to feel a little tired and sore. He asked me what Charlie’s Champions was (it was on my shirt) and I explained to him all about Charlie and the Foundation. I remember saying that whatever exhaustion and distress we were feeling now was nothing compared to what Charlie and the rest of the kids have to go through for chemo treatments - he couldn’t agree more and we finished the race together. I never got his name, but he kept me going! The finish line was in a Red Sox minor league baseball stadium-as you entered the stadium they announced your name, and you ran around the outfield and finished at home plate. Jack was able to reach down from the stands and give me a high five as I was finishing-of course I was crying (you know us Schmitts) and couldn’t see clearly where I was going, but I made it! I finished the race in 1 hr and 44 min- a personal best!
Keep fighting Charlie-Man, Love Aunt Jacquie
Long Island Chapter of the
Credit Union Association of New York
Golf Outing September 15th, 2008
So Ho Tennis Event - August 23rd 2008
2008 Southward Ho Country Club Junior Tennis Event
Written by Event Chairman – Andrew Cohen, 16yrs, Bay Shore High School
This year brought great success to the 2nd Annual Southward Ho Jr. Tennis Event benefiting the Charlie’s Champions Foundation. With over 40 kids in attendance we had a great day of fun, tennis, and learning. With a speech about Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma by Tara Spohrer from the American Cancer Society we were able to learn more about the cause we were supporting.
Despite the rain, we were able to raise $4,961 through very generous donations from community members and a raffle with prizes donated by local business in Bay Shore and Babylon. After expenses of $300 we were able to donate $4,661 to the Charlie’s Champions Foundation, which will use the money to help fight cancer at the Cancer Center for Kids at Winthrop University Hospital. This hospital not only helps to treat children, but also offers them counseling to help the kids and their families to deal with the physical and mental challenges of cancer treatment.
This event was a success thanks to the constant support of Van and Toni Van Nostrand who helped greatly in organizing the event and gave us the place to have fun, learn and play some great tennis. Also, all of the volunteers on the organizational team and crew of volunteers at the event ensured that everyone enjoyed themselves while helping out an important cause.
We hope to continue to help out the Charlie’s Champions Foundation next year and make the 3rd annual event even better than this year.
Volunteer Team Members: Derek Ettinger, Andrew Killeen, Ben Schuman, Kayla Sossin, Jared Sossin, Marco Sagliocco and Matt Cohen
Event Chairman – Andrew Cohen, acohen816@aol.com View pictures from this event.
Iron Man - July 20th 2008
Garden City resident and New York City Police Inspector, Charlie Dunne finished the 10th Anniversary Lake Placid Ironman held on July 20th, 2008. This 140.6 mile endurance race (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run – in that order) is held annually in the scenic town of Lake Placid, NY.
He was fortunate enough to get a charity entry and promised to raise money for a charity of his choice. He chose Charlie’s Champions and raised over $15,000 dollars. As if training for this event wasn’t challenging enough, he rallied his connections to help support his cause. Over 150 family members, friends, business acquaintenances, you name it generously backed him and helped to raise this incredible amount of money.
Charlie, along with his “pit crew”, wife Candice, two sons Connor and Corwin headed up to Lake Placid. The crew was psyched to cheer him on. They followed their leader and caught him in several spots along the Ironman rout – Mirror Lake for the swim, Adirondack Mountains for the biking and along the streets of Lake Placid for the run. The weather was uncomfortable, cold and rainy, not good for participants or spectators. This was a grueling day, but a truly rewarding day. Charlie, the IRONMAN, completed the race, with the “pit crew” at the finish line. Of course the following day was 65 degrees and sunny – sorry Charlie! What an amazing accomplishment. Many thanks for all that you did for Charlie’s Champions and the Cancer Center For Kids. It’s a great story.
Music and Cheer - May 31st 2008
On Saturday May 31st, Charlie’s Champions Foundation held its 2nd Annual Evening of Music and Cheer fundraising event at Adelphi’s University Center. The evening, hosted by Merry Strauss and Tara Schmitt included cocktails, dinner, live entertainment, silent auction and raffle prizes, was held to raise awareness and financial support for the Cancer Center for Kids at Winthrop University Hospital. Read more... View the pictures of the event.
10th Annual Rage in The Cage - March 2008
“RAGE IN THE CAGE AN OVERWHELMING SUCCESS”
This year’s Rage in the Cage Platform Tennis Tournament was not only a well attended and highly competitive mixed doubles tournament, it was a huge success for The Charlie’s Champions Foundation which benefited from the tournament’s proceeds. Participants, spectators, reception attendees, sponsors and friends contributed over $70,000.00 dollars to the foundation which raises money for the Cancer Center for Kids at Winthrop University Hospital, located on Long Island, NY
Read more about this event... View pictures from this event...
Indoor Soccer - Winter 2008
Way To Go So Ho Kids! - August 2007
"FUTURE TENNIS STARS UNITE FOR A GREAT CAUSE"
On August 23, 2007, Alan Van Nostrand, Tennis Director of Southward Ho Country Club, Bayshore rallied many of his young aspiring tennis stars to play for a cause - Charlie's Champions. Over 75 kids showed up ready to serve, drive, slam, volley, top-spin, drop, and slice it up against one another. Really, it was all for fun and fun was had.
View pictures from the event...
Charlie's Champs Trot Turkeys - Thanksgiving 2007
"TURKEY TROT A SUCCESS"
Birthday Blessings - March 2007
"THINKING OF OTHERS ON THEIR BIRTHDAY"
On March 23, 2007, Samantha Lastig and Caroline Kugler, both attending West Side School in Cold Spring Harbor threw a joint 12th birthday party. Instead of receiving gifts they wanted to raise money for other children in need. They chose Charlie's Champions Foundation.
C's Champions hosts "Music & Cheer..." - June 2007
"WONDERFUL ENTERTAINMENT LOTS OF LAUGHS AND LOVE"
Charlie's Champions Foundation kicked off the summer with a musical fundraiser to benefit Winthrop University Hospital's Cancer Center for Kids. An Evening of Music and Cheer, held on June 9th at the Marriot Residence Inn in Plainview, raised over $15,000 for Winthrop's CCFK. The show included music artists Jon Michaels, Neil Cohen and former American Idol finalist, Kevin Covais. View pictures from this event.
RAGE IN THE CAGE - March 2007
"A BIG SUCCESS FOR CHARLIE'S CHAMPIONS"
The event commenced on Friday March 9th, with "Underage In The Cage" which gathered approximately 85 youngsters from the Garden City, Manhasset area. Local paddle pros, Alex Bancila, John Cerga, John Dehler and Sue Tarzian donated their time and enthusiasm, ran the clinics and taught them what "ragin' " is all about - FUN.
View pictures from this event.
Michele Griffith Runs for Charlie, NYC Marathon - '06
Congratulations Michele!! This was a spectacular day. Thank you for running in honor of Charlie;* We could not have been more touched by your courage to accomplish this goal especially after the most difficult of times. You were amazing. Your stride down 1st Ave carried such high energy, and grace - truly admirable (you blew Lance away!). Much love, The Schmitts View pictures of the event
Charlie's Champions Rally in Support - June 2006
Winthrop-University Hospital's Cancer Center for Kids recently received a $10,000 grant from Charlie's Champions to benefit the Center's services.
Rage in the Cage 2006 - March 2006
"Charlie's Champions to donate $10,000 to the Cancer Center for Kids and $4,000 to Foundation Fighting Blindness"
On March 17th, 18th, and 19th, Charlie's Champions hosted an old favorite paddle tennis tournament, "Rage in the Cage". The main event pitted close to 100 participants against each other. Levels varied from nationally ranked players to ultimate good sports. Athleticism and laughs were had by all.
The Reckson L.I. Marathon/Half Marathon - May 2006
On May 7th, 2006, Charlie's dad, John Schmitt ran in the Reckson Long Island Marathon / Half Marathon. This is one of the oldest and best established marathons in the U.S. It takes place in the very heart of Long Island, beginning and ending at the beautiful Eisenhower Park, East Meadow, NY.