10th Annual Rage in The Cage - March 2008

 

The 10th Annual Rage in the Cage tournament took place March 28-29th at the Cherry Valley Club, Garden City,NY, to benefit Charlie's Champions Foundation, which raises money for the Cancer Center For Kids at Winthrop University Hospital on Long Island. The foundation was formed by Tara and John Schmitt on behalf of their son, Charlie, who was diagnosed with leukemia three years ago and is still in treatment. The weekend-long event started with paddle clinics and pizza for over 125 juniors on Friday afternoon and continued with a mixed doubles event on Saturday with 48 teams from the metropolitan area competing in two divisions. The "A" draw featuring nationally ranked players was won by Mike Cochrane/Annica Cooper van Starrenburg over John Schmitt/Kelly Van Calcar 6-7,6-3,7-6 and the "B" draw winners were Marty Dehler/Kingsley Howe who defeated Doug Graham/Angela LaManna 2-6,6-4,7-5 in two exciting finals that provided entertainment for over 200 cheering spectators. Following these spectacular finals was the Tent Party which gathered players, spectators, volunteers, sponsors, friends of friends and so on… to further contribute and celebrate a great cause.

 

Together they (this group) raised seventy thousand (70k) dollars. The best comment came from Charlie himself when he asked if that was enough to buy 2 Nintendo Wii systems for the kids at the Cancer Center. Brilliant! So that is obviously the first thing that will be done with the proceeds and the remaining balance will go to the Cancer Center for Kids’ Psychosocial Program: specifically the employment of a full-time Child Psychologist, Music Therapist and Research Nurse. These are elements of the center that have directly helped our son, Charlie and many other kids get through some tough times in their treatments.

.

This event could not have been possible without the assistance and generosity of : Cherry Valley Club, Abbey Rent-All, Garden City Pizza, Walk Street, Duane Hayden Merchandise, The band – Elroy’s Boys, World Courier, Rafferty Capital, National Land Tenure, Lane Office, Dillmeier Glass Co., IDP Consulting, Old World Quality, The Andy Foundation, Hallen Construction Co., Schimmer, Garden City Physical Therapy. Many gracious families: The Cassaro’s,Griffins,Thorntons, Dehlers, McLaughlins, Berkery’s, Kessinechs, Binghams, McGinleys, Borzilleris, Durands, Colemans, Tiedemanns, Georges, Pappas’, Kramers, Reinhardts, Gallics, LeBlancs, Webers, Fargiones, Frumbergs, Murphys Confort,J, Ripps, Kelly,M, Kentfields, Hughs, and so many more.