NEW YORK, N.Y. — The FealGood Foundation, a non-profit organization that advocates for sick and dying 9/11 Ground Zero First Responders, will hold the FealGood Charity Ball on Friday, September 11, 2009 at New Jersey’s Trump National Golf Club Colts Neck. “Eight years ago following the World Trade Center bombing, the watchword across the nation was ‘We Will Never Forget.’ Yet, for most Americans, the memory fades a little more with each passing day,” says John Feal, president of the foundation.
“But the thousands of brave first responders who spent weeks sifting through the burning rubble of the collapsed buildings can never forget. The terrorist attacks have become a nightmare that is literally killing them. Seventy percent of those who served at the site are sick or have died as a result of their 9/11-related illnesses.”
“It’s an American tragedy that has gripped my heart,” says Peter Grandich who along with the Spano Family Foundation is organizing the event. “Over 30,000 medical, police, fire fighters and volunteers who responded to Ground Zero are sick and our government has turned their back on these heroes.”
In addition to raising funds and awareness, the night will also honor two elected officials and Grandich, all of whom have been staunch supporters of the FealGood Foundation. The honorees are Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney, U.S. Representative for New York’s 14th District; Assemblyman David P. Rible, State Assemblyman serving New Jersey’s 11th District; and Peter Grandich, founder of Trinity Financial, Sports & Entertainment Management Co.
The event, which has a star-studded celebrity guest list including many professional athletes, will feature numerous celebrity auction items like a day in the pits with actor/race car driver Patrick Dempsey, lunch and private tickets to a Yankee game with pitcher Brian Bruney, a foursome with NY Jet Jay Feeley and more.
A complete list of celebrities and auctions is available online at www.FealGoodCharityBall.com. The event will also include a golf outing at the exclusive, members-only Trump National Golf Club Colts Neck.
For ticket or sponsorship information to the invitation-only event, please visit www.FealGoodCharityBall.com, or call contact Chairwoman Deborah Weiss at 908-670-9896 or email Deborahwss@optonline.net. For golfer information contact James Spano at 732-947-8170.
