Kickoff for a Cure IV Raises Over $920,000
View a photo gallery of the event
here.
Honoree Larry Babbio; Autism Speaks President Mark Roithmayr; Honoree Harold McGraw III; Autism Speaks Co-Founders Bob and Suzanne Wright; Honoree Jeffrey Lurie; Autism Speaks Board Member Alison Niederauer with husband Duncan Niederauer; Honoree Eugene Napoleon and Event Co-Chair Henry Schacht.
More than 300 people gathered at the Waldorf=Astoria in New York City on March 11 for Kickoff for a Cure IV, the fourth annual awards gala benefiting Autism Speaks and the Gillen Brewer School. The evening was a great success, raising over $920,000 for children with autism and other special needs.
The evening began with a cocktail hour which featured a silent auction full of incredible NFL memorabilia, fantastic trips and exclusive access packages; the auction raised approximately $60,000.
The evening began with a cocktail hour which featured a silent auction full of incredible NFL memorabilia, fantastic trips and exclusive access packages; the auction raised approximately $60,000.
View video feature of honoree Coach Eugene Napoleon and Pop Warner football player Justin Civitano
YouTube Video ~ 4 minutes
YouTube Video ~ 4 minutes
Guests enjoyed the unique opportunity to mingle with the evening's honorees, co-chairs, and former NFL players Howard Cross of the New York Giants and Corey Louchiey of the Buffalo Bills.
The evening continued with dinner, followed by the awards presentation, which was presided over by the “voice” of the New York Giants, Bob Papa, the team's radio pre-game and post-game host. Honored that evening were Harold McGraw, III, Chairman, President and CEO, The McGraw-Hill Companies; Jeff Lurie, Philadelphia Eagles owner; Larry Babbio, former Vice Chairman & President, Verizon Communications, Inc.; and Eugene Napoleon, CEO / President of Nap Records and Nap Sports, LLC., and best-selling author of "Dream Real."
The honorees' and presenters' speeches moved the audience as they shared personal stories and educated the guests about autism and other special needs. Highlights of the evening included Jeffrey Lurie's recognition of his brother who has autism. Lurie read poems that his brother wrote and told a story of his brother's “first words” through facilitated communication, at the age of 35. In his acceptance speech, Coach Napoleon recognized Justin Civitano, a teenager with autism who played on his Pop Warner football team. Coach Nap said Justin's endless determination brought the whole team together – and his words brought everyone in the room to their feet in a standing ovation.
The event was co-chaired by Alain Belda, Chairman, Alcoa; Roger Goodell, Commissioner, National Football League; Mel Karmazin, CEO, Sirius XM Radio, Inc.; Don Perkins, Former Chairman, Jewel Companies, Inc.; Henry Schacht, Chairman, The Gillen Brewer School; Ivan Seidenberg, Chairman & CEO, Cummins Inc.; Paul Tagliabue, Former Commissioner, National Football League and Suzanne & Bob Wright, Co-Founders, Autism Speaks.
The evening continued with dinner, followed by the awards presentation, which was presided over by the “voice” of the New York Giants, Bob Papa, the team's radio pre-game and post-game host. Honored that evening were Harold McGraw, III, Chairman, President and CEO, The McGraw-Hill Companies; Jeff Lurie, Philadelphia Eagles owner; Larry Babbio, former Vice Chairman & President, Verizon Communications, Inc.; and Eugene Napoleon, CEO / President of Nap Records and Nap Sports, LLC., and best-selling author of "Dream Real."
The honorees' and presenters' speeches moved the audience as they shared personal stories and educated the guests about autism and other special needs. Highlights of the evening included Jeffrey Lurie's recognition of his brother who has autism. Lurie read poems that his brother wrote and told a story of his brother's “first words” through facilitated communication, at the age of 35. In his acceptance speech, Coach Napoleon recognized Justin Civitano, a teenager with autism who played on his Pop Warner football team. Coach Nap said Justin's endless determination brought the whole team together – and his words brought everyone in the room to their feet in a standing ovation.
The event was co-chaired by Alain Belda, Chairman, Alcoa; Roger Goodell, Commissioner, National Football League; Mel Karmazin, CEO, Sirius XM Radio, Inc.; Don Perkins, Former Chairman, Jewel Companies, Inc.; Henry Schacht, Chairman, The Gillen Brewer School; Ivan Seidenberg, Chairman & CEO, Cummins Inc.; Paul Tagliabue, Former Commissioner, National Football League and Suzanne & Bob Wright, Co-Founders, Autism Speaks.
back to top
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
