“A positive thought will always lead to a positive outcome!”-Josephine Schiavo
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| My Beautiful Aunt Josephine Schiavo, the Honoree of Cupid's Cure Photograph By: Peter Colen peter.colen@gmail.com 347-683-6001 |
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| Proclamation from Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz |
So close to a week and a half has gone by and I am still on cloud nine from the results of Cupid’s Cure!!!! !
I am so proud and amazed to say that the event raised $10,000 for the Sarcoma Alliance & Miss Brooklyn Scholarship Organization!
So what was Cupid's Cure ???? . . . . . .
Over the past couple of months I coordinated a fundraiser for the Sarcoma Alliance www.sarcomaalliance.org (the charity I am supporting this year as Miss Brooklyn), in honor of my aunt and sarcoma survivor Josephine Schiavo. Around the end of November (while I was getting things in order for the Cosmic Charity Challenge lol) I had another thought for a fundraiser and knew Valentine’s Day would be the central theme, with that Cupid’s Cure came about and took place on February 12, 2011. What I thought would be a small gathering escalated into quite the extravaganza. I had a vision in my head of how I wanted the evening to go and I have to say it went ten times better than I could have ever imagined.
The event took place at Sirico’s Catering Hall in Brooklyn NY and included dinner, dancing, a Chinese auction, raffles and more. There were 200 people in attendance including the Executive Director of the Sarcoma Alliance, along with his family (who flew allllll the way from California to attend Cupid’s Cure), The Executive Director of The Miss Brooklyn Scholarship Organization, Amaris Acosta, my little sister queen Miss Brooklyn’s Outstanding Teen, Brittney Hollingsworth, Miss New York, Claire Buffie & Miss New York Board Member and former director of the Miss Brooklyn Scholarship Organization, Linda Carbo.
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| Me & Aunt Joe |
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| Arthur Beckert: Executive Director of the Sarcoma Alliance Who flew all the way from CALIFORNIA to be with us that night :-) Photograph By: Peter Colen peter.colen@gmail.com 347-683-6001 |
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| Aunt Joe, Arthur Beckert & Me Photograph By: Peter Colen peter.colen@gmail.com 347-683-6001 |
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| The Entire Beckert Family with Aunt Joe, her husband Nicky & Me |
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| Miss New York 2010, Claire Buffie Thank you so much Claire :-) |
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| Miss New York, Claire Buffie, Miss BK & My Little Sister Queen Miss Brooklyn's Outstanding Teen, Brittney Hollingsworth Photograph By: Peter Colen peter.colen@gmail.com 347-683-6001 |
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| Miss New York & Miss New York Board Member/Former Director of the Miss Brooklyn Scholarship Org., Linda Carbo |
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| Executive Director of the Miss Brooklyn Scholarship OrganizationAmaris Acosta, Miss BK's OT, Brittney Hollingsworth & Me :-) |
Aunt Joe and I knew that if we were going to coordinate a fundraiser, it wasn’t going to be your typical “fundraiser,” but instead a true celebration of life. We were there not to be saddened by Josephine’s struggle, but rather empowered and inspired by her tremendous fight. Her positive attitude and outlook on life is one to be admired by all, for it is the reason she is with us today. Her zest for life, loud voice and contagious personality is unbelievable and I wanted that to be able to shine the most the night of the event!
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| Baskets EVERYWHERE ! |
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| Banner :-) |
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| "ALL MY CHILDREN" Supports the Sarcoma Alliance |
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| Home Reporter Article |
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| The Calm Before the Terrific Storm lol |
A lot of people are unaware of what Sarcoma is, and until my aunt Josephine was diagnosed in 2007 I myself had no idea that the cancer existed. Sarcoma is the most rare form of cancer in the United States today. It affects 1% of adults and 15-20% of children each and every year. 4,000 people lose the fight with sarcoma every year, and I am so proud to say that Josephine Schiavo beat every odd, every statistic and can call herself a STAGE 4 Sarcoma Cancer Survivor.
It is because of her that I was inspired to spread awareness for Sarcoma through the use of the performing arts with a platform I call “Performers With A Purpose,” Bringing Sarcoma Awareness Center Stage. My passion has always been the performing arts and I wanted to find a way to promote the arts, while simultaneously raising support and awareness for The Sarcoma Alliance. Therefore I created a unique program that I have implemented in 3 Brooklyn Public School (PS 48, PS 112 and IS 187). It involves me traveling to these schools once a week from now until May teaching dance clinics and spreading the joy of the arts to as many students as possible. Then on May 7, 2011 at Xaverian High School these students will have the opportunity to perform at a final dance benefit, where all of the proceeds will be going straight to the Sarcoma Alliance.
So I am now in the process of planning the May event, but am still a little distracted by the results of Cupid’s Cure lol. After all was said and done Cupid’s Cure raised an unbelievable $10,000 for the Sarcoma Alliance & Miss Brooklyn Scholarship Organization! My original goal was between $5,000-$7,000, so this truly exceeded every expectation I had!
Yes the event took place the weekend of Valentine’s Day and love was indeed in the air lol, but I hope that each and everyday you recall the love that you have for your friends, for your family, for you neighbors, for your loved ones, but most importantly recall the love that you have for the life that you get to live each and every day. Remember to savor the memories and moments with the people that mean the most to you. DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF AND LOOK AT THE BIIIIGGGG PICTURE <3
THIS EVENT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN DONE BY ONE PERSON AND I WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE ALL OF THE AMAZING PEOPLE WHO HELPED TO
MAKE CUPID'S CURE A HUUUUGGGEEE SUCCESS <3
Cupid’s Cure
Committee
A Very Special Thanks To . . .
THERESA CLAPSO
LENORE COUMOUTSEAS
DARLENE MOORE
MARIEANNE SCAFURI
JOSEPHINE SCHIAVO
JOSEPHINE SCIMONE
This event would never have been possible without their constant support, dedication, time and effort. They were the ones behind the magic and I cannot thank them enough for all of their hard work. I truly have the best Aunts &“Friend Friends” in the entire world, and am so blessed to have people like them in my life.
I love you, and have an indescribable amount of gratitude to all of you. Thank you for helping me to bring my vision of CUPID’S CURE to LIFE.
Those 10 hour days, and weekly meetings were
SOOOO WORTH IT lol :-)
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| Cupid's Cure Committee <3 |
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| LOVE YOU ALL <3 |
SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Catering Hall: Sirico’s Caterers
8017-23 13th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11228
(718) 331-2900
Beauty Sponsor: Pilo Arts Day Spa & Salon
8412 Third Avenue
Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York 11209 USA
718.748.7411
Owner: Elena Solitario
Hairstylist: Jayne Thompson-Chillo
Makeup: Betsy Shuki
7514 13th Avenue 11228
(718) 259-9559
Joe Zicolello
Graphic Designer: Daniel DeNisco
Printer: Mike Avena
Photographer: Peter Colen
(347) 683-6001
Videographer: Mary Ellen Pesanello
mep383@nyu.edu
7806 13th Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11228
(718) 236-9088
Thank you to all of these wonderful sponsors for donating their time and their resources, and for helping me to make this event a success.
BUSINESS DONATIONS
Aletto Jewelers
B & A Pork Store Gourmet Market
Bay Ridge Dermatology
Blockbuster 18th Avenue
Brooklyn Cyclones Baseball
Brooklyn Tans
Classic Tuxedos
Cement and Concrete Workers District Council
Concrete and Cement Workers Local 20
Dance Works Dance Center
Frame Me
Michael Gangi Plumbing
IRL Security System Inc.
Langdon Florist
La Sorrentina Restaurant
L’Oreal Paris
Manny’s Haircare
Maple Lanes
Mapleton Printing
Modern Florist
Pilo Arts Day Spa & Salon
Sarcoma Alliance
Skinflints Restaurant
Sparks Steakhouse NYC
Stuben Associates
Sweet Sisters Chocolates
Trovato’s Wine & Liquor Inc.
Vegas Diner
Vito Bruno Productions
World of Wonders Day Care
INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS
Mrs. Patricia Bruno
Mr. Vito Bruno
Chiaffarano Family
Mrs. Jayne Thompson-Chillo
Ms. Theresa Clapso
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Coumoutseas
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph DeLissio
Ms. Marie Donadio
Mr. Angelo Gassoso
Mrs. Margaret Tapogna-Gatzonis (Zumba for Rachel)
Jehamy Family
Mrs. Lisa Leto
Mr. & Mrs. Robert McKenna
Mr. & Mrs. Keith Moore
Mrs. Fran Peluso
Mrs. Angela Pennachio
Ms. Erika Romano
Ms. Marieanne Scafuri
Mr. & Mrs. Nicolas Schiavo
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Scimone
Ms. Nicole Sturiale
Mrs. Fallon Preziotti-White
Ms. Donna Zappulla
FINALLY THANK YOU TO ALL OF MY AMAZING FRIENDS & FAMILY! I REALLY HAVE THE MOST AMAZING SUPPORT SYSTEM ON THE PLANET AND I AM SO LUCKY AND TRULY BLESSED XOXO <3
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| I LOVE MI FAMILIA Photograph By: Peter Colen peter.colen@gmail.com 347-683-6001 |
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| Little Brother <3 Photograph By: Peter Colen peter.colen@gmail.com 347-683-6001 |
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| Grandma & Nana <333 My Biggest Cheerleaders :-) Photograph By: Peter Colen peter.colen@gmail.com 347-683-6001 |
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| Mikey <333 My Oldest Friend in the World !!! Going on 20 years :-) Photograph By: Peter Colen peter.colen@gmail.com 347-683-6001 |
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| Miss M <3333 Photograph By: Peter Colen peter.colen@gmail.com 347-683-6001 |
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| My Brooklyn Cyclones Beach BUMS, Love you girls xoxo <3 Photograph By: Peter Colen peter.colen@gmail.com 347-683-6001 |
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| Thanks Joey <3 |
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| MY MR. BROOKLYN <3 Photograph By: Peter Colen peter.colen@gmail.com 347-683-6001 |
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| Dancing the Night Away :-) Photograph By: Peter Colen peter.colen@gmail.com 347-683-6001 |
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| LOVE YOU AUNT JOE <3 |
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| LIFELONGS <3333 |
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| Love ya Ry <3 |
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| I have the best friends EVER <3 |
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| Little Michael-John :-) Photograph By: Peter Colen peter.colen@gmail.com 347-683-6001 |
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| :-) Photograph By: Peter Colen peter.colen@gmail.com 347-683-6001 |
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| Keith being a HAM during Papa Americano lol Photograph By: Peter Colen peter.colen@gmail.com 347-683-6001 |
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| Cheez :-) Photograph By: Peter Colen peter.colen@gmail.com 347-683-6001 |
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| HAHA :-) Photograph By: Peter Colen peter.colen@gmail.com 347-683-6001 |
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| LOLOL . . . Cousin Kristen WON a Basket ! Photograph By: Peter Colen peter.colen@gmail.com 347-683-6001 |
Check out my facebook for more pics from the event :-)
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| YAYAYAYAYA WE DID IT <33333 xoxo Christina |
