The first Angela’s House fishing fundraiser was very successful. The fishing charter was run by the “Fishtale” sailing from Captree State Park. The boat left the dock at 4p and we caught a perfect change of tides. As soon as the horn rang and the lines were in the water we started to catch fish. When the captain went to move the boat the guests were treated to a gourmet sandwhich platter from The Garage. This great day would not have been possible without the Fishtale and her Captain Chris Altbacker. Chris and his wife very generously wanted to give back to us as we have worked with their medically frail daughter for several years.
Archive for July, 2007
-
Tuesday, July 31st, 2007
Fishing Charter Fundraiser
-
Monday, July 30th, 2007
St Catherine’s Act of Kindness
Acts of Kindness – pictured: ( left to right) Sharon Cash RN, Ellen Brodsky RN, Rose Dumont RN, Angie Policastro RN, Bob Policastro Executive Director ATDC / Angela’s House, St Chatherine’s Executive Director and Chief Administrative Officer Sharon Kennish, Senior VP Patient Care Services, Cara Edelstein and VP Adinistration Philip Bruno
During National Nurse’s Week the “family” at St Catherine’s Medical Center raised $7,000 to benefit Angela’s House. In April St. Catherine’s underwent a sucessful Joint Commission Survey and in a proud display of kindness the St Catherine’s administration decided to match the dollars raised by its employees during nurses week. Recently a check for $14,000 was presented to Bob and Angie Policastro. This donation is a great honor to us. We are very proud that the staff and Administration of St Catherine’s would share their love and success with us.
-
Sunday, July 29th, 2007
Last day of the bike ride
New York Finest (New York City Police) made a world of difference for Jay and William as they escorted them through NYC.
What a Last Day
They made it! They were met by 6 squad cars from the New York City Police Department who escorted them from the George Washington Bridge, through Manhattan, into Queens and to the Nassau County Line. They were then met by the Nassau County Police who escorted them to the Suffolk County Line. The Suffolk County Police took them to Jack McCarthy’s Pub where tons of adoring fans cheered their arrival. The Centereach and Nesconsit Fire Department were fantastic as they blocked the streets to have two fire engines extend the ladders and meet in the middle of the street to unfurl a beautiful huge flag that waved over Jerico Turnpike. As the Suffolf County squad cars crossed the finish line, Jay and William flashed some huge smiles as they sailed by the crowd into Jack’s parking lot. Lots of hugs and kisses and pats on the back for two guys who accomplished what most wouldn’t even consider. Giving up their own time, energy and businesses for a week to help Angela’s House was a great act of kindness. The band, Mixxed Company, immediately started playing under a big white tent. No one seemed to mind the heat, as tons of hamburgers, hotdogs, sausage and beers flowed all afternoon. Many thanks to all the folks to did the cooking and serving! Double R Contracting was thanked many times for their wonderful donation and support of the ride.The raffle rasised $7000. The winner of the 50/50 pot was a Centereach fireman, who graciously donated $1000 back to Angela’s House. Way to go! Many raffle baskets were additional gifts donated by friends of Angela’s House. The whole day was great and we are so proud of these two guys for being Angela’s stars. -
Saturday, July 28th, 2007
Day 8 of the bike ride
Day 8
They left at 6 am and rode 98 miles. They made it to Ft. Lee by the George Washington Bridge. The roads were really bad and they were almost hit a few times. William says they have 9 lives and 7 are used up already. William had some sort of incident with one driver, but I guess he’ll fill us in on those details at the party tomorrow. They want to give a special thanks to Peter Walsh of Coogan’s Restaurant on 168th and Broadway. He bought them dinner, which was much appreciated. Peter has always been very supportive of the Track Community. Also special thanks to the Running School that escorted them to Jim Warden, the “Stretch Guru”. He will be working on William and Jay tonight at the gym. Tomorrow they will have a police escort from county to county, They are taking the George Washington Bridge to Broadway, to 59th Street, to Queens Blvd, to Jerico Turnpike, to 347, back to Jerico and into the awaiting fans.
See you tomorrow at the party!
Celebration Party Saturday July 28th , Jay and William should be getting to McCarthy’s Pub in Centereach by 1pm. There will be several tents, a band, food, T shirts, raffles and exciting finish to this brave quest by these two special men.McCarthy’s Pub. 2582 Middle Country Road. Centereach, NY 11720.
-
Friday, July 27th, 2007
Day 7 of the bike ride
Day 7
They were on the road by 4:45 am and went 163 miles, ending up in Manahawkin, NJ. They had a good day and the weather was overcast. Their legs are holding up and the day was uneventful. They plan on being in Ft. Lee tomorrow night. -
Thursday, July 26th, 2007
Bike ride day six
They had an excellent day today and traveled 171 miles! They left at 4:45 am and got to Timmy’s house at 8:30 pm They were greeted with a visit from Taryn from Gold’s Gym in Virginia Beach who donated free massages to Jay and William. William says her arm’s were bigger than William’s legs, although he laughed when he said it. But he adds, “She was cute.” She was great and they really appreciated it since they had a lot of bridges to travel over today. William’s quads were really hurting. The weather was great and they got more sunburn. They sat down on a woman’s lawn in the shade and she brought Gator Aid and water. They have 2 days to get to the George Washington Bridge. They only sent one picture tonight, but it sort of says it all, don’t you think? Jay’s wife and William’s wife had dinner tonight. Only a couple more days of peace and quiet before they return home. -
Wednesday, July 25th, 2007
Day 5 bike ride
They had a great day today, starting at 6:30 am and ending at 5:30 pm. They went 128 miles and ended in New Bern, North Carolina. The weather was good and no major complaints. They are still on Rt 17 and the roads are ok. It was freezing for the first half hour this morning. They went swimming in a river later in the day. The day went by really quickly. The first hotel was sold out. The second hotel was sold out. Finally they found a hotel and ended their day. William is really looking forward to tomorrow night. William’s friend Timmy Smith (they went to High School together) lives in Virginia Beach and has an evening of massages and a hot tub filled with ice ready for the guys. They are looking forward to hanging out, relaxing, and spending the night there. Timmy always says to William, “You know the difference between you and me? You’re a great track runner. But I’m a great athlete.” -
-
Tuesday, July 24th, 2007
Fishing Fundraiser
The fishing fundraiser was a great success. The weather was perfect as the guest prepared to board the boat Fishtale at Captree State Park, www.Fishtale.com. Captain Chris Altbacker greeted each guest as they boarded the boat and picked a spot on the boat that they were going to fish from. This new fundraiser would not have been possible without the donated use of the boat by captain Chris and his wife Liz. Both approached Angela’s House with the generous offer to use the boat to raise money. Chris and Liz have a medically frail child in one of Angela’s House programs. This is a very kind gesture that will allow us to help other children. Read More
-
Tuesday, July 24th, 2007
Day 4 bike ride
The guys slept late and didn’t get on the road until 7 am. William had a difficult time staying asleep last night. He had to take Tylenol PM to make sure he sleeps tonight. They rode 122 miles today and ended up at the Microtel in Shallotte, North Carolina. They were on a very busy road all day and only had 5 inches of road to ride on for the bike path. They had to ride in the middle lane of a three lane highway part of the time and had people blowing horns at them. William’s legs are much better. The problem now is Jay’s severe sunburn. He decided to use 50 sun block, as he is a nice shade of purple. Jay says his butt is sore, but not as bad as last year. They are not quite half way and they think they are on schedule. They’ll know more once they reach Virginia. It was a quiet day since they had to ride single file; they didn’t talk much. They went through Myrtle Beach. William forgot to mention two flats so far. Other than that, everything is ok. -
-
Monday, July 23rd, 2007
Day 3 Bike Ride
Panic is setting in on Jay’s part. He’s worried that they won’t make it back in time. William, of course, is the ultimate optimist. William uses phrases like “I’m dying” and “My legs are shot”, but he continues to confidently state that Jay worries too much and there’s “no problem…we’ll be there on time.” William says his 8 days of training was simply not enough. His legs are still hurting, but not as badly as yesterday. Jay is fine. Today started in the dark at 5:30 am. The bridges were beautiful; however, they hit a bad section of Rt 17 where nothing was seen but two strip clubs. They worried that the drunken crowd who still partied at 5:30 am might accidentally run them over on their way out. Jay, on the other hand, almost hit a girl who was walking on the bike path as he cruised over a bridge going 30 mph. They met a man in a hamburger restaurant who stated the road ahead was really bad and “lots of people get killed there…but it’s a great thing you’re doing!” William said, “Gee thanks.” Nothing like a little encouragement. William says Jay is aggravated with him for dragging behind. The wind was on their face all day again today. They have to push up the daily mileage for the rest of the trip. They went 117 miles today and ended in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina at the Hampton Inn. They are no longer sure they are on schedule, but will be studying the map tonight. Both are in good spirits over all. William said he may have to check on the Greyhound bus schedule.
