previous events

January 6th, 2011: Redefine the Impossible

A MIDWINTER NIGHT’S DREAM 2011 EVENT RAISES $516,000!

REDEFINE THE IMPOSSIBLE

Impossible:
1. Incapable of having existence or of occurring.
2. Not capable of being accomplished.

The students of A Midwinter Night’s Dream set a goal in May of 2010 to redefine the word impossible. They believed that truly, nothing was incapable of being accomplished, and proved this at their seventh annual event on January 7th, 2011. Generating nearly $2 million dollars to date, the students raised over $516,000 to benefit ALS during their annual gala at Oheka Castle. Each year, they honor several Heroes for Hope that give support and inspiration to the students and the charity. Past honorees include Nick Swisher, Billy Baldwin, Curt Schilling, and Edie Falco. 2011 honorees included Curtis Martin from the New York Jets and Chris Pendergast from the Northport School District. Although he could not attend, New York Yankee Curtis Granderson accepted his award with a special video message to the students about the importance of the work that they do.

“It is truly an honor to be included with so many great individuals that have been involved with the AMND and named a Hero for Hope,” said Granderson. “However, it is you that should be considered the heroes, and I am proud to know that the future is in the hands of students like you.”

Actor Billy Baldwin lead the live auction which included a reservation at Rao’s, tickets to the premiere of Soul Surfer (starring Helen Hunt, Carrie Underwood), a set visit to Boardwalk Empire and Dinner with Steve Buscemi and Vincent Piazza, and surprised the audience with a set visit to Gossip Girl. More than $100,000 was raised in the live auction, followed by a lightening round with donations by Curtis Martin, Adam Graves and Richard Kind. The total brought the group’s fund-raising efforts to $2 million since the event’s inception.

Those in attendance also included: Students and faculty of the Northport High School, Billy Baldwin (Gossip Girl), Robert Burke (Blue Bloods), Adam Graves (New York Rangers), Sarah Hughes (Olympic Gold Medalist), Richard Kind (Toy Story 3), Curtis Martin (New York Jets), Jackie Martling (Comedian), Vincent Piazza (Boardwalk Empire), Caroline Rhea (The Biggest Loser), Zuzanna Szadkowski (Gossip Girl).

Story provided by Traci Coulter (TCOPR Inc.)

January 7th, 2010: Imagine the Possibilities

Northport High School Student Charity Raises $421,000 to Benefit ALS Research Inspired by Stricken Teachers, Students Bring 6-Year Event Total to $1.5 Million

Northport, NY (January 7, 2010) – What recession? Over the course of a year beset by financial downturn, a group of 42 teenagers from Northport, New York raised $421,000 to benefit ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease) research. Now in its sixth year, the annual fundraising event has generated a total of nearly $1.5 million for ALS research. The new milestone was reached on January 7th, 2010 at Oheka Castle in Huntington, New York, where the group hosted their 6th annual A Midwinter Night’s Dream gala. Joining a cast of over 500 donors, sponsors, parents, friends and teachers who turned out for the cause were special guests including New York Yankees’ right fielder and 2009 World Series champion Nick Swisher; comedians Caroline Rhea of Sabrina the Teenage Witch fame and Richard Kind of Curb Your Enthusiasm, Spin City and Mad About You; Stanley Cup Champion and New York Rangers great Adam Graves; actors Robert Burke of Gossip Girl and Rescue Me, John Scurti (Rescue Me) and Vincent Piazza (Rescue Me / The Sopranos).

“There are very few words to describe how proud I am of these students,” said Don Strasser, Northport High School science teacher and event advisor. “This past year was not an easy one for charitable organizations, but the kids never stopped to think about it; they just kept working until they reached their goal. This achievement is really a testament to that effort, and to the amazing generosity of the people in our community and our very generous corporate donors who all dug deep to make this possible.” The annual A Midwinter Night’s Dream fundraiser was conceived by students in 2004 to raise funds and awareness for ALS research. It was inspired by the diagnosis of Northport High School science teacher David Deutsch with the terminal disease. He was the second teacher in the Northport school system to receive this diagnosis; Christopher Pendergast, an elementary school teacher in the district, was diagnosed with the disease in 1995.

The 2010 event was spectacular. Guest speakers included actors Richard Kind and Caroline Rhea, who addressed the crowd of 500 plus guests and provided entertainment along the way. Following their lead, Larry Tarica, COO and President of The Frye Company, and Nick Swisher, 2009 New York Yankees World Series Champion were awarded the Hero for Hope awards. The Linda Knudsen award was presented to Addie Fishstein of Northport for her battle against Leukemia. Finally, East Shore Partners was presented with the Presenting Sponsor award for the 6th year. After the presentation, Sean Flanagan and Scott Stimell led the live auction, which raised an unprecedented $15,000.

Nick Swisher stated, “Watching these kids create this event when their two teachers and mentors were diagnosed with ALS is something that I am so happy to be a part of. I flew here from California because it was so important for me to be here”. Caroline Rhea added, “If my daughter grows up to possess any of the qualities that you have, I would be the proudest mother on Earth”.
Richard Kind told the students he admired their “chutzpah” and their passion to take on ALS.

Over the course of its six-year history, the student-run group has become a registered non-profit, forged links with Hollywood and corporate America, created an annual black-tie gala and sent dozens of students to internships with some of the world’s leading researchers at Columbia, Johns Hopkins and several others. In June 2009, A Midwinter Night’s Dream Cryopreservation Laboratory at Stony Brook University Medical Center was opened thanks to a $125,000 endowment from the Northport students, who are now are able to participate in year-round research. In December 2009, the group became a finalist in the Chase Community Giving project, becoming eligible for a $1 million grant towards their cause.

Story provided by John Roderick (J. Roderick, Inc.)

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