Thursday, February 9 – 4:30pm
Monday, February 13 – 11:30am
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TCN- The Comcast Network
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Contact: Maureen C. Quilter
215.952.5944
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Professional Athletes Honor Local Children at Dinner Benefitting The March of Dimes
PHILADELPHIA (December 15, 2010) – Comcast-Spectacor Chairman Ed Snider has been selected to receive the first Lifetime Achievement Award presented at the Comcast SportsNet Shining Star Awards benefitting the March of Dimes at The Westin Philadelphia Hotel on Friday, January 21 at 6 p.m. These awards, hosted by Comcast SportsNet’s Ron Burke, will honor Snider for his generous charitable work and his impact on the Philadelphia sports landscape.
"In addition to setting a standard of excellence with the Flyers and 76ers, Ed Snider has created incredible opportunities for many of the residents of Philadelphia through his philanthropic efforts," said Shining Star Awards Chairman Dan Finnerty. "We are thrilled to be able to recognize his unparalleled success and generosity by awarding him our inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award."
In addition to Snider receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, four local children, who represent the faces of the March of Dimes, will receive awards from Ryan Madson of the Philadelphia Phillies, Brent Celek of the Philadelphia Eagles, James van Riemsdyk of the Flyers and Evan Turner of the Sixers. Those attending the dinner will have the opportunity to meet the honorees and bid on sports memorabilia and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. For more information on the event, including tickets and sponsorship opportunities, please log onto www.ShiningStarAwards.com or contact Susan Elder at 610-945-6050.
Snider has been a part of the fabric of the Philadelphia sports landscape for over 45 years. One of his recent accomplishments is the creation of the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation, which provides underserved children in the Philadelphia-area with the opportunity to learn to play ice hockey at area rinks. The program features an educational component that emphasizes teamwork and goal setting as important life lessons. In 2008, Snider Hockey rescued three of the five Philadelphia inner-city ice skating rinks that had been targeted for closure by operating and funding them for the City. The Foundation recently announced a new partnership with the City of Philadelphia, where all five rinks will soon be renovated, including enclosure of three rinks, making them year-round operational.
Snider's success and business acumen have been widely recognized by his peers. He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988 and serves on the NHL's Executive Committee. He is also a member of the NBA's Advisory Finance Committee. He is a recipient of the Lester Patrick Award for outstanding service to hockey in the United States and has been elected to the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame, the Philadelphia Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, and the Flyers Hall of Fame. In 2005, he received the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce's William Penn Award, the most prestigious business honor in the region, and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor awarded to Americans of all ethnic backgrounds who have made significant contributions to our society.
Snider received honorary degrees from Hahnemann University and Thomas Jefferson Hospital. He is also a Benefactor of the Sol C. Snider Entrepreneurial Center of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Vice Chairman of the Simon Wiesenthal Center.
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and infant health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.
Funds raised by the Comcast SportsNet Shining Star Awards, presented by Wanamaker Ticket Office, support the March of Dimes prenatal wellness programs, research grants, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) family support programs and advocacy efforts for stronger, healthier babies.
Comcast Sports Group operates 14 local networks that deliver 2,400 sporting events annually and breaking news and analysis to more than 50 million cable and satellite homes. Comcast Sports Group’s sports networks are: Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, Comcast SportsNet California, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, Comcast SportsNet New England, Comcast SportsNet Northwest, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, SNY, The Mtn. – Mountain West Sports Network, CSS and Comcast Sports Southwest. Comcast Sports Group also manages NECN (New England Cable News), the nation’s largest regional news network, and The Comcast Network, based in Philadelphia and Washington, which delivers community-oriented programming. For more information, see ComcastSportsNet.com.
Wanamaker Ticket Office is a premium entertainment agency located in the heart of Center City Philadelphia, serving customers locally & worldwide. Since 1957, Wanamaker Ticket Office has earned a reputation for developing lasting relationships with its large customer base by providing unrivaled event seating at fair prices while offering extraordinary customer service. As the #1 premium entertainment provider in Philadelphia, Wanamaker Ticket Office accommodates requests of all sizes from individual to family packages as well as community group sales or corporate needs. They are proud to offer an unmatched customer experience by carrying inventory for any event, including sports both collegiate and professional, concerts, theater, family events and many more! For more information, please visit WanaTix.com.
]]>Inaugural Dinner Benefitting The March of Dimes to Be Held January 21 at Westin Hotel
PHILADELPHIA (December 8, 2010) – Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia will host the inaugural Shining Star Awards benefitting the March of Dimes on January 21, 2011 at The Westin Philadelphia Hotel. These awards, presented at the gala by Philadelphia Eagle Brent Celek, Philadelphia 76er Evan Turner, Philadelphia Flyer James van Riemsdyk and Philadelphia Phillie Ryan Madson, will honor four special children who represent the urgent needs and goals of the March of Dimes.
Those attending the gala dinner will have the opportunity to meet the honorees and bid on sports memorabilia and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. The evening will feature a video tribute to each honoree documenting the time they spent with one of the four Philadelphia athletes. For more information on the event, including tickets and sponsorship opportunities, please log onto www.ShiningStarAwards.com or contact Susan Elder at 610-945-6050.
Dante Coccia, Jr. was born prematurely with many health risks and has overcome many obstacles. Today, he is living with many health challenges but serves as a “Shining Star” to all who know him. He and all of his family love the Phillies. Recently Dante and his family were invited out to a game courtesy of the Phillies, where Ryan Madson spent time with them prior to a game. The family was treated to a behind the scenes tour of Citizens Bank Park, which included the clubhouse, media room, batting cages, and also the opportunity to watch batting practice with Madson.
Dante was born four months premature and had a 2% chance of survival. After many setbacks, Dante is now 9 years old and has recently won awards for his horseback riding and an art competition sponsored by the Philadelphia School District. Dante’s father, Dante Coccia, Sr. is a Philadelphia Police Sergeant and his mom, Marla takes care of their three children.
Kacy Wilson of North Philadelphia is a healthy 6 year-old, but she has overcome many obstacles in her short life to get there. She was born two months premature and only weighed 2 lbs. 15 oz. In her first six months of life she had seven surgeries, but despite her rough start, she is now thriving. Kacy will meet 76ers Rookie Evan Turner and get to shoot around with him after practice, plus she will receive a VIP tour of the Sixers practice facility. Kacy and her family will also see Turner play during a Sixers game at Wells Fargo Center from the Comcast SportsNet suite.
Eight year-old Trae Richardson of Oreland, PA will be receiving a VIP tour of Lincoln Financial Field from Eagles tight end Brent Celek. Just to be on the field was a tremendous feat for someone who started their life with such hardship. Trae was born three months premature and weighed 3 lbs. 3 oz. He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy but that has not stopped him from participating in sports including swimming, baseball and horseback riding.
Catharine Aboulhouda, from Allentown, PA, was born 16 weeks early and weighed a tiny 1 lb, 10 oz. and spent 113 days in neonatal intensive care. But Catharine beat the odds and is now a healthy 8 year-old due in part to medical advances developed and funded by the March of Dimes. Catharine is very grateful for her health and gives back to the March of Dimes as a National Ambassador for the organization and travels around building awareness for the organization. Catharine will have the chance to meet Flyers forward James van Riemsdyk, watch practice and get a tour of the Virtua Health Flyers Skate Zone and will see a game at the Wells Fargo Center from the Comcast SportsNet suite.
For more information on the athletes and honorees, please visit www.shiningstarwards.com/honorees
At the Shining Star Awards dinner on Friday, January 21, a video will be shown of the children and their special day with the athletes. The athletes will then present the children with their own Shining Star award. For more information on the event, including tickets and sponsorship opportunities, please log onto www.ShiningStarAwards.com or contact Susan Elder at 610-945-6050.
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and infant health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.
Funds raised by the Comcast SportsNet Shining Star Awards support the March of Dimes prenatal wellness programs, research grants, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) family support programs and advocacy efforts for stronger, healthier babies.
Comcast Sports Group operates 14 local networks that deliver 2,400 sporting events annually and breaking news and analysis to more than 50 million cable and satellite homes. Comcast Sports Group’s sports networks are: Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, Comcast SportsNet California, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, Comcast SportsNet New England, Comcast SportsNet Northwest, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, SNY, The Mtn. – Mountain West Sports Network, CSS and Comcast Sports Southwest. Comcast Sports Group also manages NECN (New England Cable News), the nation’s largest regional news network, and The Comcast Network, based in Philadelphia and Washington, which delivers community-oriented programming. For more information, see ComcastSportsNet.com.
]]>PHILADELPHIA (September 27, 2010) – Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia will host the inaugural Shining Star Awards benefitting the March of Dimes on January 21, 2011 at The Westin Philadelphia Hotel. These awards, presented at the gala by members of the Philadelphia 76ers, Eagles, Flyers and Phillies, will honor four special children who represent the urgent needs and goals of the March of Dimes. Phillies pitcher Ryan Madson spent time with one of the honorees, Dante Coccia, Jr. in preparation for the inaugural awards dinner. Players from the Flyers, Sixers and Eagles will be meeting with their honorees in the coming months.
Dante Coccia, Jr. of South Philadelphia was selected because he symbolizes the mission of the March of Dimes. He was born prematurely with many health risks and has overcome many obstacles. Today, he is living with many health challenges but serves as a “Shining Star” to all who know him. He and all of his family love the Phillies. Recently Dante and his family were invited out to a game courtesy of the Phillies, where Ryan Madson spent time with them prior to a game. The family was treated to a behind the scenes tour of Citizens Bank Park, which included the clubhouse, media room, batting cages, and also the opportunity to watch batting practice with Madson.
Dante was born four months premature and had a 2% chance of survival. After many setbacks, Dante is now 9 years old and has recently won awards for his horseback riding and an art competition sponsored by the Philadelphia School District. Dante’s father, Dante Coccia, Sr. is a Philadelphia Police Sergeant and his mom, Marla takes care of their three children.
The Shining Star Awards will honor Dante and three other children representing the March of Dimes on Friday, January 21 at The Westin Philadelphia Hotel. Those attending the gala dinner will have the opportunity to meet the honorees and bid on sports memorabilia and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. The evening will feature a video tribute to each honoree documenting the time they spent with a Philadelphia athlete produced by Comcast SportsNet. For more information on the event, including tickets and sponsorship opportunities, please log onto www.ShiningStarAwards.com or contact Susan Elder at 610-945-6050.
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and infant health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.
Funds raised by the Comcast SportsNet Shining Star Awards support the March of Dimes prenatal wellness programs, research grants, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) family support programs and advocacy efforts for stronger, healthier babies.
Comcast Sports Group operates 14 local networks that deliver 2,400 sporting events annually and breaking news and analysis to more than 50 million cable and satellite homes. Comcast Sports Group’s sports networks are: Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, Comcast SportsNet California, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, Comcast SportsNet New England, Comcast SportsNet Northwest, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, SNY, The Mtn. – Mountain West Sports Network, CSS and Comcast Sports Southwest. Comcast Sports Group also manages NECN (New England Cable News), the nation’s largest regional news network, and The Comcast Network, based in Philadelphia and Washington, which delivers community-oriented programming. For more information, see ComcastSportsNet.com.
]]>PHILADELPHIA (June 23, 2010) – Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia will host the inaugural Shining Star Awards benefitting the March of Dimes in January 21, 2011. These awards, presented by players from the Philadelphia 76ers, Eagles, Flyers and Phillies, will honor four special children who represent the urgent needs and goals of the March of Dimes. A Lifetime Achievement award winner will also be honored at the event.
The event will be held at The Westin Philadelphia and those attending will have the opportunity to meet the honorees and bid on sports memorabilia and once in a lifetime opportunities. The evening will feature a video tribute to each honoree documenting the time they spent with their favorite Philadelphia athlete. Comcast SportsNet is producing the tributes. Sponsorship opportunities and tickets are available by calling Susan Elder at 610-945-6050.
"Philadelphia is a passionate sports town and we hope supporters will come out to this wonderful event which will help ensure the next generation of fans is born healthy," said Dan Finnerty, Executive Vice President, Comcast Networks and Chairman of the Shining Star Awards.
"We are thrilled to partner with the March of Dimes and celebrate the impact that sports has had on extraordinary children," said Brian Monihan, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia Senior Vice President and General Manager. "We appreciate the contributions the Philadelphia 76ers, Eagles, Flyers and Phillies are making to create a night to remember for these children and all attendees."
"Most people don’t know that one in seven babies in Philadelphia is born preterm and that preterm birth is the leading cause of death in the first year of life," said Dr. Jay Greenspan, Chair of Pediatrics, Thomas Jefferson University and Nemours/A.I. duPont. "As a neonatologist, I see the emotional and financial toll that preterm birth brings to many young families. We are honored to have Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia join the March of Dimes in raising awareness that will bring us closer to the day when every baby is born healthy and full term."
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and infant health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.
Funds raised by the Comcast SportsNet Shining Star Awards support the March of Dimes prenatal wellness programs, research grants, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) family support programs and advocacy efforts for stronger, healthier babies.
In Chicago, a similar event led by Comcast SportsNet Chicago has become a leading charitable event in the city by raising more than $7 million during the past 22 years in support of the March of Dimes.
For more information on the event, including sponsorship opportunities, please contact us or check our sponsorship opportunities.
Comcast Sports Group operates 10 sports networks that deliver 2,400 sporting events annually and sports news and analysis to more than 50 million cable and satellite homes. Comcast Sports Group’s networks are: Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, Comcast SportsNet California, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, Comcast SportsNet New England, Comcast SportsNet Northwest, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, SNY, The Mtn. - Mountain West Sports Network, and CSS. Comcast Sports Group also manages New England Cable News (NECN), the nation’s largest regional news network, and The Comcast Network, based in Philadelphia and Washington, which delivers community-oriented programming. For more information, see ComcastSportsNet.com.
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