November - December 2019 Newsletter
Above: A few highlights from our 29th Annual Gala at Cipriani’s.
ACHILLES 29th ANNUAL GALA
On November 20th, our 29th Achilles Gala Presented by Cigna was held at the NEW Cipriani South Street in Manhattan. It was a star-studded historic event honoring Cigna's President and CEO, David Cordani as Volunteer of the Year and our Achilles Kid of the Year, Diego "FLASH" Lacayo. Meghan McCain, Co-Host of The View, Achilles Board Member and Celebrity Ambassador and Deborah Roberts, ABC News Correspondent and mom of Achilles Athlete Nick Roker, were our dynamic co-hosts for the evening.
Basketball icon, Magic Johnson empowered us all with his keynote speech giving us a candid Q & A. Yankees Baseball great, Alex Rodriguez was in the audience and asked the legend about the key qualities needed to be successful. Academy Award Nominee, Gary Sinise made a special appearance to introduce David Cordani where he also acknowledged our Freedom Team athletes, Cedric King, Stefan LeRoy and Matias Ferreira. They all have competed in races with David Cordani and together presented David with his special award.
Sotheby's auctioneer, Kevin Doyle, generated much excitement and engagement during our LIVE Auction. To close the night, Broadway's Leading Baritone, Norm Lewis, wowed us with his powerful rendition of "Go the Distance" from Disney's Hercules. Local Achilles Athletes were hosted at each table and were treated to a glorious evening of delicious food and a robust program celebrating Achilles.
Other notable attendees included our Board Chair and Former Governor of New York, David Paterson, football great, Joe Theismann, and former NY Giants running back, Tiki Barber. A special thank you to Cigna for producing our most successful gala to date raising $1.7 million. Also, we thank our Diamond Sponsor- Accenture and Platinum Sponsors - Galaxe Solutions and Salesforce.
LAKIN CHALLENGE
The Lakin Challenge has once again offered to match dollar-for-dollar all contributions up to $50,000 received through Dec. 31. We hope you will consider making a donation to Achilles as we continue to lead the way in engaging individuals with disabilities in life-changing athletic experiences.
Your gift will continue to help expand our programs and support adults and children with disabilities. It's donors and volunteers like you who make our inspiring stories of achievement possible.
Donate Online or you can send a check to the address below:
Achilles International
Attn: Lakin Challenge
42 W 38th St., Ste. 400
New York NY 10018
Wishing you and your family all my best for a happy and healthy 2020.
AMAZON SMILE!
Don't forget, if you shop at Amazon please shop at https://smile.amazon.com. When you shop here, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice. Be sure to select Achilles! This can generate a lot of money if we can make it a simple habit for 10,000 people on our contacts + thousands of others in our personal social media contacts. Thank you!
THE GREATEST RACE ON EARTH
Sponsored by The Moody Endowment, Achilles Athletes with Disabilities (AWD) in the 2019 TCS New York City Marathon comprised the majority of the AWD field registered for the event. Two hundred forty-five Achilles athletes and 251 Achilles guides/support runners participated.
Highlights of TCS New York City Marathon week included the Achilles Awards Dinner which hosted 400 guests from around the world. U.S. chapters and international chapters met in separate sessions beforehand, and mingled during dinner, to exchange ideas, experiences and successes from the past year. Countries represented were: Australia, Canada, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, South Africa and United States.
ACHILLES CHARITY BIBS FOR 2020 RACES
Are you thinking about New Year’s resolutions yet?? Make sure you include “running with Achilles as a Charity Entrant” on your list! Next year is the 50th Anniversary of the New York City Marathon and promises to be the biggest and most exciting race EVER! Make sure to reserve your bib NOW to guarantee you a spot. Contact Fiona for details.
Want to run the United Airlines NYC Half? We have charity bibs! Run with us and you’ll get guaranteed entry into the race, our official jersey, twice-weekly group workouts in Central Park and a chance to trek from Grand Army Plaza to Central Park for the experience of a lifetime! For more information, email Michael.
ACHILLES FREEDOM TEAM MARATHON TOUR
We don't call it "Marathon Month" for nothin!! The Achilles Marathon Tour was in full swing from October 11th through November 4th. Highlighting the Achilles Freedom Team, the Marathon Tour sponsored nearly 100 members to compete, achieve and cross finish lines in 4 marathons in 4 cities in 4 weeks! Athletes conquered the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, The Detroit Free Press Full and Half Marathons, The Marine Corps Marathon, 10K and 50K, and the TCS New York City Marathon.
Team Earl at the 2019 Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Achilles Freedom Team at the 2019 Detroit Free Press Marathon
All athletes persevered with true Achilles grit. We are proud to have witnessed: Zach Stinson take on Chicago in a pushrim racing chair – a first 26.2 mile distance for him in that division; Tom Davis break the Detroit course record with an impressive 1:05:12; Adam Popp speed through the Marine Corps 50K with determination and ease; and Omar Duran race through the NYC streets with stellar sportsmanship and strength coming in first place!
Just a few highlights from the 2019 Marine Corps Marathon
Achilles Freedom Team at the 2019 NYC Marathon
We are thankful that the weather was mostly on our side – except for the Marine Corps races where it began with heavy rain and turned into a tropical, humid afternoon. This was all part of the challenge though – and the Achilles athletes and guides adapt to challenges better than anyone.
Heartfelt thanks to the GM Military Discount and the Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers, Cigna, Bank of America's MSAG and DAN groups, DAV Charitable Service Trust, The Altschul Foundation, the NYPD, and all our generous supporters for continuous backing of our program and the athletes we serve. Achilles breathes because of donor dollars, but we thrive and grow because of the volunteerism and love that our supporters give during each marathon wellness weekend. It is important to mention that while the financial support is critical, there are people from our corporate partnerships who have become significant threads in the fabric of each athlete’s success. David Cordani, Mark Degnan, Susan Lock, Cheryl Carter and many others: thank you for giving from your heart. It is felt and you are truly impacting the lives of our nation’s heroes.
And finally, Achilles had the privilege of honoring two Achilles Freedom Team members this season: Candice Caeser received the 2019 Moody Endowment Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year Award. This award was given to Candice for many reasons. In addition to overcoming critical injuries sustained while serving in the United States Army, Candice is a beautiful example of perseverance and doing all you can all the time! She is a staple of the Achilles Houston Chapter as well as the Freedom Team. She is full of life and team spirit and her energy is infectious. We are proud to know her and hope she feels the love for many years to come!
Candice Caesar, the 2019 Moody Endowment Fund Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year
Jess Walton received the 2019 GM Military Discount Achilles Freedom Team Member of the Year Award. Each year we witness growth in the athletes we serve and are continuously impressed by them. We met Jess in 2014 and he has been impressive since day one. Jess served 21 years in the U.S. Coast Guard and his life was forever changed after an accident five years ago. He has never let that event define him but faced his adversity head-on the way he has always stoically faced everything. Jess trains hard and is a talented athlete. He also “shows up.” He is an integral part of the healing environment that Achilles works to create and is sincerely interested in his teammates and their families. Jess’s overall character is un-matched and all who get to know him are better for it. We certainly are. Congratulations Candice and Jess. You exemplify greatness!
ACHILLES 2019 MARINE CORPS MARATHON
On October 27th, fifteen members of Achilles Colombia, along with five guides, crossed the finish line at the 2019 Marine Corp Marathon. The team included civilians wounded by detonated landmines as well as members of the Colombia National Police and Military injured in the line of duty.
One of the members of this great team, 24-year-old Jose Fernando Carvajal, is a member of the Colombian National Police – Counter Narcotics Division. Jose was recently wounded and lost both of his legs in an eradication operation conducted in a coca field. Overcoming this life-altering event, Jose has worked hard and has put in the time, dedication and effort that enabled him to cross the marathon finish line. His commitment to reaching this goal has included undergoing multiple surgeries, learning how to navigate his world by way of a wheelchair, and studying English. Completing the Marine Corp Marathon was the celebration of his perseverance and grit. With this monumental achievement fresh in his mind and his heart, Jose has a renewed sense of himself and his strength. He is ready for the future and knows that his will be a full and exciting life. Other Achilles Colombia members, Alvaro Sanchez and Jefrey Cardenas, share similar journeys to that of Jose. They are all true heroes and real warriors.
Pierry Ramirez, director of Achilles Colombia, along with the US Embassy in Colombia and the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, made it possible for the team to enjoy this unforgettable experience. During their time in Washington DC, the team was hosted by the Colombian Embassy, the Police and Military Attaché and the greater Colombian community. As a strategic partner to Achilles International, United for Colombia helped manage this effort. Go Achilles Colombia!
CHAPTER NEWS
ACHILLES SOUTH FLORIDA
On November 10th, Achilles South Florida participated in a Seafood Festival to Salute the Veterans, presented by Hammerhead Productions FL. The event included the Achilles Freedom Team, the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force. Achilles South Florida introduced the public to their programs and gave people the opportunity to try a stationary handcycle. The Nam Knights created a wonderful ceremony recognizing those who served. Check us out at AchillesSoFL.org
ACHILLES CONNECTICUT
Achilles Connecticut was an official charity of the Eversource Hartford Marathon for the 6th year in a row with a team of 65 for the marathon, half and 5K. In addition, four individuals ran as charity runners along with the entire CT Trial Firm and Newington High School Field Hockey Team. Eight Achilles CT athletes competed in the 2019 TCS New York City Marathon which was a record!
Congratulations to chapter members Tom Stearley, Stu Sherman, Harry McKinstry, Alexia Bouckoms, Mike Tubiak. Congratulations also to first-timers Michelle Georgevich, Gail Bruno, and Piper Paul all of whom were NYC Marathon finishers. Sadly, long-time athlete Vinnie Ligouri passed away unexpectedly on October 27th. The Chapter celebrated his life at their year-end celebration and named the Athlete of the Year Award in his honor. Harry McKinstry and Susanne Cesana were co-recipients for 2019 and Marni Luby was celebrated as Volunteer of the Year.
ACHILLES ECUADOR
The courts of the Ciudad Blanca Park, Ibarra, Ecuador were filled with excitement with the development of the 2019 Ibarra Cup Championship, amputee football. The tournament, organized by Achilles Ecuador, was supported by the Municipality of Ibarra through the Directorate of Social Development and Social Inclusion of Ecuador. Three teams participated in the event from different parts of the country.
Ms. Andrea Scacco, Mayor of Ibarra, addressed the tournament participants: "In sports there are no winners or losers. In sports there is joy. Joy for life.” While the players performed the warm-up before the opening game, they highlighted the advantages that sports brings to personal development and growth. Most of the players—who are amputees—expressed gratitude for the opportunity to show off their skills and prove that a disability does not have to mean an inactive life. "One who is confined thinks that (you) cannot do certain things. But the truth is that everything is possible.” Inspiring words from one of the footballers as he stood in front of the Achilles "Hope & Possibility®" banner.
VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH: ADULT PROGRAM
JOE BORCHARD
Congratulations to Joe Borchard who is Volunteer of the Month. Affectionately known as “Doctor Joe”, Joe has been a dedicated volunteer since 2015. Joe is also Achilles New Jersey Race Director and helped the chapter create their first Hope & Possibility® race in September! Thank you, Joe, for everything you do for Achilles.
To read more about Joe, click HERE.
VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH: ACHILLES KIDS
YOKO NITTA
Congratulations to Yoko Nitta who is our Achilles Kids Volunteer of the Month. Yoko has been a dedicated volunteer for our fun run program at the JCC since 2013 and is now a NY Cares Co-Team Leader. Yoko also volunteers at our Central Park program and is looking forward to getting even more involved in running so she can guide an Achilles athlete in a half marathon or even a full marathon in the future! Thank you, Yoko, for everything you do for Achilles Kids!
To read more about Yoko, please click HERE.
HOLD THE DATE
Achilles 18th Annual Hope & Possibility® will be Sunday June 28th 2020. Be sure to hold this date.
More details to follow.
DATES:
January 8th – 12th – Walt Disney Marathon Weekend
February 15th – Achilles “Love Run” in Central Park. No RSVP required.
March 15th – United Airlines NYC Half – charity bibs available.
Photo credits: many of our photos are courtesy of the great, talented, always helpful and very dedicated, Larry Sillen. Thank you, Larry!