Long Island Golf Meet Raises Record Total for PD Research
On August 13, under a brilliant
hot sun that was in diametric contrast with the downpour that cancelled
the original venue in May, more than 100 golfers braved the lovely and
challenging Deepdale country club on Long Island and raised some $580,000
for research into the cause and cure of Parkinson’s disease.
The
event—believed to be the most successful fundraiser of its kind ever
undertaken for PD—was led by Bobby Greenberg and Steve Witkoff, two
businessmen from Long Island who served as co-chairs of the event. The
honoree was Melvyn Weiss, a well known trial lawyer. Behind all three
men was the inspiration provided by their friend Ed Levy, a leader in
the financial services industry who has lived with Parkinson’s for several
years.
L-R: Ed Kalikow, Treasurer of PDF; Robin Elliott,
PDF’s executive director; Bob Greenberg, event co-chair; and
Vincent Tese, designated honoree for the 2003 event
Most of the net proceeds from
the event—some $440,000 after expenses—went to support the research and
advocacy activities of the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, the National
Parkinson Foundation, the Edwin Levy Foundation, and Beth Israel Medical
Center. The balance went to support the work of the Parkinson’s Action
Network and the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
The dynamic trio — Greenberg,
Witkoff, and Levy — have already scheduled the date for next year’s
event: Monday, September 15, 2003, at Deepdale. Registration fees start
at $2,000 and the honoree will be Vincent Tese, former superintendent
of banking for the State of New York.
