James Lacerenza, a 24 year-old resident of Stamford, Conn., helps make a difference for children fighting neuromuscular disease with a grant from the Pepsi Refresh Project, which funds ideas that refresh and improve the community worldwide.
Lacerenza placed eighth out of fifteen in the $10,000 tier of the Pepsi competition. The grant will benefit MDA’s New York Summer Camp program, where children with neuromuscular disease can enjoy outdoor activities adapted to meet their needs.
It costs $800 for one child to attend camp. The Association covers this cost, so the family does not incur any expenses. The grant will allow 11 children to attend MDA Summer Camp for free.
The Pepsi Refresh Project selects winners based on the number of votes a given idea receives. Contestants use social media websites, Pepsi products, and other promotional tactics to gain votes. This is Lacerenza’s fourth time competing in the Pepsi Refresh Project.
“We had tremendous help from MDA friends and supporters at the International Association of Firefighters, The Arizona Diamondbacks, World Wrestling Entertainment, Kohl's, Garden Catering - the list of people is endless,” said Lacerenza.
Over the years, Lacerenza has raised $107,833 for MDA Summer Camp through various fundraisers and support from the public. His efforts have allowed approximately 130 children attend camp free of charge.
In 1999, Lacerenza began volunteering with MDA in the Hawthorne, N.Y. District Office. He is the founder of the ConnectiKids Summer Camp Fund, an organization dedicated to sending children with neuromuscular disease to MDA Summer Camp in New York.
Today, Lacerenza fundraises for the Association, volunteers annually at the local MDA Labor Day Telethon and organizes the Shamrocks Against Dystrophy campaign in his local area.
MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related disease by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.
For more information, please contact Valerie D’Angiolini at (203) 288-3500 or vdangiolini@mdausa.org or Meredith Buono-Sauro at (914) 345-5062 or msauro@mdausa.org.
This blog covers news from the district offices in Providence, Hartford, New Haven, Maywood, Tinton Falls, Hawthorne and Western Long Island
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
N.J. Business Leaders Raise "Bail" for Westfield Lock-Up
The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) will send local business leaders to “jail” on Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at The Jolly Trolley in Westfield, N.J. from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to raise “bail” for MDA.
MDA will “lock-up” community business leaders and arrest them at their place of business. Transportation will be provided by local police departments to The Jolly Trolley, located at 411 North Ave E, Westfield, NJ 07090.
Each “jailbird” will raise $1,600 in the weeks leading up to the event, then visit the “jailhouse” to turn in their bail, enjoy MDA’s version of “gourmet bread and water” otherwise known as lunch, and have the opportunity to network with colleagues and friends. The $1,600 bail benefits funding for MDA’s week-long overnight camp, in Spring Valley, N.Y., for children ages 6-17, served by The Association. MDA aims to raise at least $50,000 from the event.
Business leaders from Westfield, Fanwood, Plainfield, South Plainfield, Clark, Cranford, and Kenilworth are invited to participate.
MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related disease by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.
For more information on this event or to register as a “jailbird”, please contact Erin Dresnick at (201) 843-4452 or edresnick@mdausa.org.
MDA will “lock-up” community business leaders and arrest them at their place of business. Transportation will be provided by local police departments to The Jolly Trolley, located at 411 North Ave E, Westfield, NJ 07090.
Each “jailbird” will raise $1,600 in the weeks leading up to the event, then visit the “jailhouse” to turn in their bail, enjoy MDA’s version of “gourmet bread and water” otherwise known as lunch, and have the opportunity to network with colleagues and friends. The $1,600 bail benefits funding for MDA’s week-long overnight camp, in Spring Valley, N.Y., for children ages 6-17, served by The Association. MDA aims to raise at least $50,000 from the event.
Business leaders from Westfield, Fanwood, Plainfield, South Plainfield, Clark, Cranford, and Kenilworth are invited to participate.
MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related disease by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.
For more information on this event or to register as a “jailbird”, please contact Erin Dresnick at (201) 843-4452 or edresnick@mdausa.org.
CT Business Leaders Get "Locked Up" in West Hartford
The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) will send local business leaders to “jail” on Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at Rizzuto’s Wood-Fired Kitchen & Bar from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to raise “bail” for MDA.
MDA will “lock-up” community business leaders and arrest them at their place of business. They will be transported by “undercover officers” to Rizzuto’s Kitchen & Bar, located at 111 Memorial Road, West Hartford, CT 06107.
Rizzuto’s Kitchen & Bar will serve the “jailbirds” complimentary “jail” food, while each attempts to raise at least $2,400 in bail money by contacting friends, family members and business colleagues for donations to MDA. Money raised will support MDA Summer Camp by paying for sponsorships and cabins to house children. It costs $800 for one child to be sent to camp. Jailbirds that reach their “bail” goal will send three children to camp with all expenses paid.
Participants will be asked to serve time at Rizzuto’s in one-hour increments, starting at 11 a.m. and the last hour beginning at 2 p.m. The “jailbirds” are encouraged to spend more time “locked up” if desired. There will be contests and prizes each hour. Jailbirds will have their mug shot taken and interact with other business and community leaders attending the event in support of MDA’s mission. They will also have the opportunity to meet an individual or family served by the Association.
A wide variety of businesses will send jailbirds to go behind bars for MDA, including Private Capital Group, University of Hartford, Sovereign Bank, West Hartford Public Schools, American School for the Deaf, Connecticut Bank & Trust, and more.
MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. Locally, the Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.
For more information on this event, please contact Valerie D’Angiolini at (203) 288-3500 or vdangiolini@mdausa.org. To learn more about MDA or to sign up as a “jailbird”, contact Ellen Kellie at (860)633-4466 or ekellie@mdausa.org.
MDA will “lock-up” community business leaders and arrest them at their place of business. They will be transported by “undercover officers” to Rizzuto’s Kitchen & Bar, located at 111 Memorial Road, West Hartford, CT 06107.
Rizzuto’s Kitchen & Bar will serve the “jailbirds” complimentary “jail” food, while each attempts to raise at least $2,400 in bail money by contacting friends, family members and business colleagues for donations to MDA. Money raised will support MDA Summer Camp by paying for sponsorships and cabins to house children. It costs $800 for one child to be sent to camp. Jailbirds that reach their “bail” goal will send three children to camp with all expenses paid.
Participants will be asked to serve time at Rizzuto’s in one-hour increments, starting at 11 a.m. and the last hour beginning at 2 p.m. The “jailbirds” are encouraged to spend more time “locked up” if desired. There will be contests and prizes each hour. Jailbirds will have their mug shot taken and interact with other business and community leaders attending the event in support of MDA’s mission. They will also have the opportunity to meet an individual or family served by the Association.
A wide variety of businesses will send jailbirds to go behind bars for MDA, including Private Capital Group, University of Hartford, Sovereign Bank, West Hartford Public Schools, American School for the Deaf, Connecticut Bank & Trust, and more.
MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. Locally, the Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.
For more information on this event, please contact Valerie D’Angiolini at (203) 288-3500 or vdangiolini@mdausa.org. To learn more about MDA or to sign up as a “jailbird”, contact Ellen Kellie at (860)633-4466 or ekellie@mdausa.org.
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