The PJ Fundraiser: Being Part of Something Bigger than Oneself
- expatsmith10
- 15 maj 2016
- 2 min läsning
To anyone not familiar with my childhood I grew up in the small town of
Ellenville, NY before moving over to the nearby town of Port Jervis when I was 16. I played football (American) and in the US, small towns tend to be much more engaged in the local school teams than people are in Sweden. Football in Port Jervis is near religion and we have had a great tradition of success through the years.
Two weeks ago former classmates, coaches, teammates and friends organized a fundraiser in my honor at the local golf club in Port Jervis. There was an American football theme, with great food, drinks and musical entertainment provided by the one and the only Bob Curreri, the very first person I met in PJ!
From all accounts it was a magical evening and up to 200 people attended. Above you can see many of the people that contributed to the evening.My former psychology teacher, Mr. Birmingham and Jared Kahmar volunteered their services behind the bar; Doreen Semarano dressed in a Darth Vader costume as “Darth Raider” and my old friends from high school Nancy Carol, Mat and Erica Polanis together with friends and former coaches Doreen and Ron Semerano and Bob and Betty Corvinoa put countless hours into the organization of this incredible event. There are certainly others – hope I didn’t forget anyone.
People that I have not seen for almost 30 years turned up to give support and sent incredibly inspiring encouragement to me through my parents. My family was deeply touched and are still riding the high two weeks later.
I think we can all agree that we are not always proud of who we were when we were teenagers since we, well, “we know not what we do” or in my case I didn’t know what the hell I wase doing during those years. So it really felt great that some people who I perhaps rubbed the wrong way, came forward with such amazing things to say and with amazing contributions beyond my wildest dreams!
An enormous thank you goes out to everyone who took part - once again with the knowledge that this post cannot truly express how thankful we are.
As many of you know, to give thanks I recorded a speech for everyone who attended. My mother stood for the tedious editing work of which I am extremely grateful. I will post the speech here for anyone interested who could not attend the dinner. Sorry that I could not deliver it in person but I will save the hugs and the face to face chat for when I am feeling better after the treatment. Except for those uncomfortable with hugs of course.
To see the names and faces of everyone on Facebook was incredibly inspiring and it made me feel just as I alluded to in my speech – A part of something bigger than myself. So I really hope that my speech delivered the message that I intended – enjoy.
And finally what's a party and a post without a Dr.Cohen smile?
Kommentarer