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Sunday 11 July, 2004
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David Cassidy's charity helps Catie Hoch Foundation
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JEANNETTE JORDAN The , Community News
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Entertainer David Cassidy and his
wife Sue, right, flank Gina Peca of
Clifton Park at The David
Cassidy/KidsCharities.org benefit
Saturday afternoon at Saratoga
Race Course. Peca is the mother of
the late Catie Hoch. A portion of the
proceeds from the ben
08/10/2001
This was the second year in a
row The David
Cassidy/KidsCharities.org put
together a day at the races
inside the At the Rail Pavilion at
Saratoga Race Course. On
Saturday, an ''over sold'' crowd
of more than 200 helped raise at
least $75,000.
Founded in 1999 by Sue Shifrin-Cassidy,
wife of entertainer David Cassidy, the
non-profit organization, which assists
children all over the world in various
areas of need, has grown by leaps and
bounds.
''It was my brainchild,'' said Sue Cassidy, who was quick to credit Chairwoman
Debbie Avellino of Saratoga Springs with bringing a day at the races to fruition.
''When Kosovo occurred, we
donated a song (''Message to the
World'') we wrote and recorded with
more than 80,000 people including
celebrities as a fund-raiser for
Warchild U.S.A.''
Advertisement
A sponsorship by Yahoo helped give
birth to KidsCharities.org utilizing the
Internet as an ongoing way to assist
children, she added.
Saturday's luncheon was specifically
earmarked for Northeast Parent &
Child Society, Belmont Child Care
Association and the Catie Hoch
Foundation.
The Catie Hoch Foundation was
established in memory of a 9-year-old Clifton Park girl who lost her battle to
neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive pediatric cancer. ''We established the
foundation while she was alive,'' said her tearful mother Gina Peca of Clifton
Park. ''We had a ball. She was an amazing child and we made the most of every
single moment.''
Upset over the fact there was little research being done for pediatric cancers and
also recognizing young patients needed a break from their cancer, Peca formed
the foundation. It has since raised more than $60,000 helping 25 families to date.
A grant was given to Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York City to
provide funding for families to treat their children to a day in the city. ''A social
worker usually gives them $50 to do something fun with their child,'' Peca
continued. ''It's difficult when I think of Catie. She helped come up with ideas for
kids to do such things as go to F.A.O. Schwartz (a toy store). She'd write down
all the fun places so others could have fun.''
Money from the foundation also purchased $17,000 worth of equipment to
upgrade the neuroblastoma lab at the hospital.
While guests bet horses, ate wonderful food and perused more than 100 silent
auction items, David Cassidy signed autographs, posed for pictures, graciously
chatted with the guests and took time to be interviewed by FOX23 News.
Cassidy and Sue hope to eventually be summer Saratoga Springs residents.
About a year ago they purchased 10 acres just outside the city to build a home.
''We have two homes in Las Vegas where I'm in the process of doing shows and
touring,'' he said. ''By next year we hope to have a plan (for here), but realistically
it most likely will be the year after that before we can build.''
Cassidy, who was born in New York and brought to the Spa City by his mom who
was doing summer stock here, admits he can't get Saratoga off his mind. Having
about five horses to race here could also have something to do with it. ''It is just
one of the prettiest places I've seen. I've been here at least one day a year for
the past 26 and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can come to stay at the
place I just love the most.''
Faces in the crowd included locals Mary Beth Onyon, a member of the luncheon
committee; Diane Dodd, who lost a son to liver cancer years ago; Cathy and
Peter Belmonte; Mary Song and Assemblyman James Tedisco; and Diane and
Richard Bomze, owners of Fourstardave, who are very involved with Belmont
Child Care Association, which will have its own fund-raiser Aug. 22 at Canfield
Casino (call 516-358-7224); horse owners Eileen and Joe Cornacchia and Laura
and Eugene Melnyk, whose horse Edey's Village won the third race.
Also, Holly and Bill Carroll, Donna Smith and Jim Bissett and Darlene and
Dr.Jerry Bilinski
For more information about The David Cassidy/KidsCharities.org log on
www.KidsCharities.org.
©Community News 2004
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