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Beneficiaries : News

Beneficiary News
Flyers and Sixers in the Community

RECENT BENEFICIARY NEWS

5/25/2010: Flyers Wives Tereza Racuchova (Lukas Krajiceks girlfriend, front middle in gray Flyers T-shirt) and Doreen Holmgren (wife of Flyers General Manager Paul Holmgren, front middle in light orange Flyers T-shirt) get the staff revved up for the Stanley Cup Finals at Penn Medicine at Rittenhouse. The Flyers Wives visited patients in Penn Hospice at Rittenhouse inpatient hospice and Good Shepherd Penn Partners inpatient rehabilitation units (May 25). Also pictured is Kellie Page (front row, third from right) and daughter Grace. Page is a volunteer Hospice Advisory Board member and wife of Global Spectrum COO John Page. Penn Hospice at Rittenhouse is one of the many beneficiaries of the Comcast-Spectacor Foundation.

5/7/2010: Flyers Ian Laperriere and wife Magali helped unveil a refurbished Flyers-themed room at the Ronald McDonald House of Southern New Jersey (May 7). The room was redesigned by Heather Hatcher, wife of Flyers Player Development Coach Derian Hatcher, complete with hand-painted Flyers murals, bedding and more. Ian and Magali, who brought bags of toys and books with them, also spent time visiting with families after unveiling the room. Click here for a photo gallery from the day.

Laperriere grabs hold of 11-month old Sara, as her dad Will chats with Ian's wife Magali at unveiling of Flyers Room at Ronald McDonald House of Southern Jersey.

4/25/2010: Doreen Holmgren, wife of Flyers General Manager Paul Holmgren, led a team of Flyers Wives who participated in the March for Babies walk to help support the March of Dimes. (From left) Robyn McCrossin, wife of Flyers Head Athletic Trainer/Strength and Conditioning Coach Jim McCrossin; Diane Luce, wife of Flyers Director of Player Development Don Luce; Doreen Holmgren; Becky Steltz, sister of Doreen Holmgren; Rhonda McCarthy, wife of Flyers Assistant Coach Kevin McCarthy; and Linda Mullen, wife of Flyers Assistant Coach Joe Mullen walked the five miles on behalf of the Flyers Wives, and helped raise almost $7,000 with donations from friends, family and the Comcast-Spectacor Foundation. Funds raised in March for Babies support research and programs that help moms have full-term pregnancies and babies begin healthy lives.

4/23/2010: Comcast-Spectacor Vice Chairman Fred Shabel (left), and his wife, Irene (second from left), are joined by Jerry Johnson (right), Chairman of the Board of Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis & Education, and his wife, Raye, at nonprofit organization's 27th Annual Benefit for Children that honored Fred and Irene as "Champions for Children" for all of the involvement, support and leadership they have provided to Arthur Ashe programs and young people. Some 1,000 people attended the event at the Arthur Ashe Center in Philadelphia to pay tribute to the Shabels. The Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis & Education is one of the many beneficiaries of the Comcast-Spectacor Foundation.

4/23/2010: Philadelphia 76ers mascot Hip-Hop and nearly 50 Comcast-Spectacor employees personally delivered much-needed food to Philabundance to help feed those less fortunate (April 23). The food was recently collected as part of Comcast Cares Day which is Saturday, April 24.

4/14/2010: Members of the Flyers Wives Heather Hatcher, Kimberly Cruz (Asham) and Clancey Kabella (Carle) visited the Pediatrics unit and Pediatric Emergency Department at Virtua Voorhees handing out hats and posters to young fans. The hats were collected during the teams Hat Tricks for Kids Hat Toss, where fans tossed their new hats onto the ice hat trick style to show support for kids battling illnesses. Virtua is the official orthopedic provider of the Philadelphia Flyers, and one of many beneficiaries of the Flyers Wives Fight for Lives Carnival.

Members of the Flyers Wives (from left) Heather Hatcher and daughter Finley; Kimberly Cruz; Jenna Mullin, 11, of Cinnaminson; and Clancey Kabella.

2/16/2010: Jeff Moskowitz, president of the Philadelphia Association of Retail Druggists (PARD), an association of privately-owned community pharmacies in the five-county area presents $2,500 check to Lara Price, Sixers Senior Vice President of Business Operations, and Mary Ann Saleski, Senior Vice President of Comcast-Spectacor Foundation. PARD joined Foundation in supporting Samuel Dalembert with donation to UNICEF for the Relief Efforts in Haiti.

2/2/2010: Sixers guard Willie Green along with his fiancé Terrah, Charrisse Jordan (wife of then-Head Coach Eddie Jordan) and Janice Faulkner (mother of Sixers guard Lou Williams) hosted a special in-store sale at Nicole Miller of Philadelphia benefiting Sixers Charities, a division of the Comcast-Spectacor Foundation. Guests were invited to meet Willie Green while they shopped the spring 2010 collection. Green also signed copies of the Sixers Charities childrens book, From A to Zone D.

From left: Willie Green and his fiancé Terrah, Janice Faulkner, Charrisse Jordan, and Mary Dougherty (owner of Nicole Miller of Philadelphia)

1/26/2010: Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia and BLOCS (Business Leadership Organized for Catholic Schools) hosted a business leadership breakfast at Annunciation B.V.M. in South Philadelphia. BLOCS is a Philadelphia scholarship organization committed to providing all children with a quality education.

From left: CSN Philadelphia Senior Vice President Brian Monihan, BLOCS Chairman Mike ONeill, Bishop McFadden, CSN Anchor/Reporter Gregg Murphy (in back), BLOCS Board Member Michael Young, and BLOCS President Brian McElwee.

1/13/2010: Members of the Sixers Ladies were on hand at the reception held to recognize the contribution made by Sixers Charities, a division of the Comcast-Spectacor Foundation to Main Line Health Systems Lankenau Hospital. The contribution will be used to support equipment, furnishings and renovations in the OB-GYN program of the Clinical Care Center. This program provides prenatal, post-natal, pediatric care, and parental education services to uninsured and underinsured families in the Philadelphia area.

(From left): Karen Stefanski (wife of Sixers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski), Janice Faulkner (mother of Sixers Lou Williams), Elaine Thompson (President of Lankenau Hospital), Charrisse Jordan (wife of then-Sixers Head Coach Eddie Jordan), and Ashley Kapono (wife of Sixers Jason Kapono)

12/18/2009: Flyers forward Danny Briere, along with teammates Ian Laperriere, Chris Pronger, and Kimmo Timonen shopped on behalf of the entire team for holiday gifts to help local families during the holiday season. The items were donated to Ronald McDonald House facilities which help families with children staying in area hospitals.

Flyers forward Danny Briere shops with Teddy Thomas, Executive Director of Ronald McDonald House of Southern New Jersey.

12/9/2009: Flyers forward Scott Hartnell and other members of the Philadelphia Flyers were on hand for the Firefly Literacy Funds Cocktails for a Cause at The Field House in Philadelphia. Firefly Literacy Fund is a non-profit dedicated to bringing adventure, opportunity and hope to young, at-risk children through literacy.

Flyers Forward Scott Hartnell presents check to representatives from Firefly Literacy Fund (from left): Kelly Smith, Jessica Paschke, Hartnell, Melissa Barnhart, Ashley Creasy

12/1/2009: Flyers alumni Tim Kerr and Brian Propp, along with members of the Flyers Wives and Flyers Training Staff joined troops and volunteers at the annual Treats for Troops packing event at Flip & Baileys Bar and Grill in Rosemont, Pa. The items for the packages were collected at various locations over the past month, including the Wachovia Center and Flyers Skate Zones. The care packages will be shipped to local servicemen and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Pictured (Left to right): Major Ted Lorenz, Flyers alumni Tim Kerr and wife Midge, Flyers alumni Brian Propp, Braydon Coburns girlfriend Nadine Gustafson, Robyn McCrossin and husband Flyers Head Athletic Trainer Jim McCrossin and Assistant Athletic Trainer Sal Raffa.

9/17/2009: Attending the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund luncheon at Drumthwacket, the New Jersey Governor's Mansion, are (left to right) Heather Hatcher, wife of Flyers Player Development Coach Derian Hatcher, Dara Marcozzi, Chair of New Jersey Governor's Ovarian Cancer Workgroup and Susan Bass Levin, Deputy Director of the Port Autority of New York and New Jersey. The event helped raise awareness for ovarian cancer research and celebrated ovarian cancer survivors such as Marcozzi and Bass Levin.

8/29/2009: Philadelphia Flyers Head Athletic Trainer Jim McCrossin (middle), along with wife Robyn and son Luke, at American Legion Post #331 present check from Flyers Charities, a division of Comcast-Spectacor Foundation to Commander Al Carusi (left). The donation stems from fundraising efforts from the annual Flyers Trial on the Isle (July 9) in Stone Harbor and Avalon. Proceeds will be used to support local active duty personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan and their families, as well as the establishment efforts of the Forgotten Warriors Museum.

8/22/09: Laughter and excitement filled the Wachovia Center at the United Spinal Associations Kids Sports Spectacular, an action packed day of recreational events, activities, and dreams that come true for kids who are wheelchair users.

7/30/2009: The Comcast-Spectacor Foundation and Philadelphia Senior Center (PSC) teamed up once again for the annual Fan Fair at the PSC Main Branch in Philadelphia (July 30) distributing over 300 free box fans for seniors. Members of the Comcast-Spectacor Family of Companies, including Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski, Philadelphia Flyers Ambassador of Hockey Bob Kelly and members of the Philadelphia 76ers Hare Raisers, were on hand to distribute the fans.

PSC and Comcast-Spectacor Foundation launched Fan Fair during a week of high temperatures and high humidity both which can be dangerous to seniors. PSC, which has been a national leader in heat safety and education for seniors since 1993, celebrated its 60th Anniversary by distributing its 10,000th free box fan during Fan Fair.

7/25/2009: Basketball fans braved the heat at the 10th Annual Sixers Beach Bash presented by Kia Motors at Jacks Place in Avalon (July 25) in an effort to raise money for Sixers Charities, a division of the Comcast-Spectacor Foundation, to help support local non-profit organizations.

Sixers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski was were on hand to meet and take pictures with the crowd while Sixers Forward Jason Smith and 2009 draft pick Jrue Holiday signed autographs under a packed tent. Even Flyers General Manager Paul Holmgren stopped by to support the cause.

This was my first Beach Bash and it was a lot of fun, said Holiday. It was great getting to know the fans. This was a nice opportunity for the fans to get to know the players, as well. Click here for the full story.

7/9/2009: Philadelphia Flyers prospects took a break from the ice and headed to the shore for the annual Flyers Trial on the Isle conditioning and charity event in Stone Harbor, NJ, (July 9). Following a mini-triathalon, where the prospects participated in running, kayaking, and biking, the players were available for autographs at Harbor Bizarre on 96th Street before heading to the charity softball game at 80th Street Field in Avalon, NJ. The day was filled with fun prizes and auctions for items such as autographed sticks, exclusive Spectrum items and an autographed press release. Net proceeds benefit Flyers Charities, a division of the Comcast-Spectacor Foundation, to help support veterans causes.

6/11/2009: The Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson held its inaugural ball at the Please Touch Museum in Fairmount Park (June 11). Comcast-Spectacor Chairman Ed Snider and the Comcast-Spectacor Foundation were the lead sponsors of the event hosted by Caroline and Sidney Kimmel, which honored Senator Arlen Specter and the American Cancer Society. While guests enjoyed a dinner, reception, and entertainment, the event helped raise funds for cancer research.

The Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson, a National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated cancer center, is home to internationally renowned cancer physicians and research scientists. Cancer treatment at the Kimmel Cancer Center utilizes cutting edge technology, along with world class therapeutics and the latest clinical trial options.

6/8/2009: Sixers mascot Hip-Hop visited Wissahickon Charter School in Philadelphia to help distribute new uniforms to the middle school basketball team after their jerseys were stolen earlier this year. Upon hearing of the theft, Sixers Charities of the Comcast-Spectacor Foundation provided funds to help replace the uniforms. The mission of the Wissahickon Charter School is to provide a community of learning with an environmental focus that stimulates the child's intellectual, social, and character development.

5/19/2009: (left to right) Comcast-Spectacor Senior Vice President Mary Ann Saleski and Mercy Health System Senior Vice President Mission & Sponsorship Sister Kathleen Keenan, RSM participated in a ribbon cutting and van dedication at the new Mercy Life, Living Independently for Elders, in North Philadelphia. The Comcast-Spectacor Foundation is providing funding for patient transportation.

3/30/2009: Heather Hatcher (third from right), wife of Flyers defenseman Derian Hatcher, helps celebrate opening of newly renovated art room in Women Against Abuse Emergency Shelter with special guests (right to left) Ronald McDonald,Ž Meghan Kincade, WAA emergency shelter director; Hatcher; John Durante, president, RMHC of Philadelphia Region, Inc.; Cynthia Hughes, school aid childcare worker; and Bill Roberson, board member, RMHC of Philadelphia Region, Inc. Ronald McDonald House CharitiesŽ (RMHCŽ) of the Philadelphia Region, Inc. partnered with Comcast-Spectacor Foundations Flyers Wives to refurbish art room and add mural, hand-painted by Flyers Wife Heather Hatcher. Women Against Abuse is a leader in advocacy and direct services to victims of domestic violence.

9/12/2008: The Comcast-Spectacor Foundation donated $10,000 to help Philabundance continue its free milk program for low-income youngsters in Philadelphia. Our Foundation is very familiar with the excellent work Philabundance does to provide poor and needy people in Philadelphia with essential nutritional needs, said Fred Shabel, Comcast-Spectacor Foundation Board Member. Philabundance, the Philadelphia region's largest hunger-relief agency, faced the possibility of eliminating its free milk program for needy youngsters unless it raised thousands of dollars. The program will continue thanks to the generosity of the Comcast-Spectacor Foundation and donations from other concerned individuals and companies.

6/16/08: Comcast-Spectacor Foundation participated with Ronald McDonald House Charities and Conoco Phillips in the groundbreaking ceremony of the brand new multi-purpose playground to be constructed at the Wesley House Emergency Shelter in Chester, Pennsylvania. The Wesley House Emergency Shelter is a 68-bed facility serving homeless families with children in the Delaware County.

Construction of the playground was made possible by initial funding provided by a Ronald McDonald House Charities grant and an in-kind contribution from the Comcast-Spectacor Foundation which runs Sixers Charities. Click here for the full story and photos.

4/10/08: The Philadelphia 76ers teamed up with Toyota and the City of Philadelphia Department of Recreation to dedicate a new Reading & Learning Center and a new outdoor basketball court at the Athletic Recreation Center in Philadelphia.

The new improvements to the Athletic Recreation Center including a Reading & Learning Center complete with computers, books, chairs, and reading areas. The refurbishment's to the outdoor court included two brand new surfaces, new backboards and nets. The two courts were painted in Sixers colors, and don Sixers Logos at mid-court and on the backboards themselves. Click here for the full story and photos.

The Comcast-Spectacor Foundation made a contribution to the Department of Emergency Medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Pictured here with the plaque that is displayed in the Emergency Department waiting roon is Elizabeth Datner, M.D., Medical Director of the Department of Emergency Medicine.

Besides visits from members of the Flyers and Sixers, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has received contributions over the years from the Comcast-Spectacor Foundation, including major funding in support of the Pediatric Oncology Unit (pictured here).

In 2004, The Comcast-Spectacor Foundation made a major contribution to the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia that made possible the new Flyers/76ers Surgery Theatre, a state-of-the-art, 100-seat auditorium that brings the operating room into the classroom. Jeffrey A. Drebin, MD, PhD, FACS, the newly appointed Chair of the Department of Surgery at Penn Medicine, is pictured with the Flyers/76ers Surgery Theatre plaque (2009).

FLYERS AND SIXERS IN THE COMMUNITY

6/13/09: Philadelphia 76ers forward Jason Smith welcomed home Soldiers of the 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, who served 10 months in Iraq, at a local event to honoring their return in Trenton. Click here for the full story.

3/4/09: In honor of March being Reading Month, Sixers Elton Brand took a timeout to read to children during the Sixers Library Line-up Tour. The Tour was a part of the Sixers Read to Achieve program, courtesy of The Pepsi Bottling Group of Philadelphia.