Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Hot Dogs, Hamburgers and Sauerkraut, Oh My!

What a great day at Cedar Beach, New York last Friday. A dozen volunteers from Macy's stores all over Long Island joined me at the 2nd Annual Babylon to Beaches portion of the Wounded Warrior Project's Empire State Soldier Ride.

With the Suffolk County 1st Police Precinct Brotherhood working the grills, the Macy's volunteers served hot dogs and hamburgers for two hours to a record 1,000 people who participated in the 22 mile bicycle ride. The volunteers were enthusiastic and up for anything - from crowd control to freezing their hands digging for cold sodas for guests.

Just this portion of the multiple-day Soldier Ride raised $40,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Autism Speaks to Young Professionals at the NYSE


The organization that started it all for me is having a fundraising event that I actually get to attend, rather than plan! Autism Speaks to Young Professionals is a cocktail party taking place on the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange. I can't think of a better way to entice the Generation Y crowd into getting involved in a cause that will severely impact our future (our children!) unless we do something about it.

The event takes place on Thursday, August 6 from 7-10 p.m. It's being organized by the sassy and savvy Justine Benisch, who I've had the pleasure to work with on numerous Autism Speaks events, so it's pretty much guaranteed to be a fantastic evening. $50 pays for your entrance fee, open bar, hors d'oeuvres, and of course, supports an organization that is changing the future of autism.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit http://events.autismspeaks.org/youngprofessionals

See you there!

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Soldier Ride - Babylon to Beaches

In two weeks, the Wounded Warrior Project's Soldier Ride will be presented by Macy's and I'm headed to my hometown of Babylon, Long Island, New York to help on the "Babylon to Beaches portion of the ride. Soldier Ride is a four-day rehabilitative cycling event for wounded veterans and includes:
  • a Hero's Reception at the American Airpower Museum in Farmingdale ($50 for dinner provided by Outback, music, beer/wine and prizes)
  • a NYC bike ride starting in Herald Square with Matthew Modine's "Bicycle for A Day" program
  • the Babylon to Beaches ride with a BBQ at Overlook Beach ($35 to ride, T-shirt and BBQ or just $10 for the BBQ)
  • an additional ride with celebrations in the Hamptons

Taking place just a few weeks after the Fourth of July, this is a great opportunity to thank the soldiers who have fought for the freedoms that day represents.

Visit sr.woundedwarriorproject.org to find out how you can participate - by donating, celebrating and encouraging the athletes along the bike routes!