LONG ISLAND, NY, May 1, 2005 - Pat LaFontaine
was joined by more than 50 "Companions in
Courage" today as they competed in the
rain-soaked Long Island Marathon in support of
the NHL Hall-of-Famer's charity . Bill Isenberg
of UBS Warburg served as captain and
inspirational leader of "Team Courage". He
reported that the group raised more than $30,000
in support of the foundation.
Jeff Ziglar and Patty McGrory of UBS organized a
"Pep Rally for Courage" in a New York City club
a couple weeks before the event. Scott Lohan of
CIBC helped mobilize a group of bond traders and
Chris Crean of Wales Darby, Inc. got many trades
people involved.
Isenberg said, "So many people heard about what
we were doing and they stepped up in a big way.
Many people made donations on the foundation's
website, while others dragged out their running
shoes and joined in the race. I can't thank them
enough for their support."
The cold, damp weather made the decision easy
for many on Team Courage to opt for the race's
half-marathon option. LaFontaine completed the
half in just under two hours. He was joined on
the run by Frank Brown, the NHL's VP of media
relations. Brown said, "We just stayed focus by
running between all of the raindrops."
Isenberg made sure that all of the runners and
the volunteers who braved the weather to root on
loved ones and family members, had a dry place
to stay. He set up a large "Courage" Tent, and
brought in coffee, pastry, bagels, sandwiches
and cold beverages for after the race.
LaFontaine said, "What can you say about guys
like Billy Isenberg? He made it REALLY easy for
anyone who wanted to be involved. If it weren't
for his efforts, none of this would have been
possible. He's done a great thing for the kids
who will benefit from this donation."
The UBS trader outfitted each runner and
volunteer with distinctive "Team Courage"
running shirts. Runners reported that they were
inspired during the event by many spectators who
called out for them to show their "Courage!"
Proceeds from the event will be used by the
Companions in Courage Foundation (www.CiC16.org)
to build interactive game rooms in children's
hospitals. LaFontaine said, "This was another
great example of how a 'grass roots' movement
can have a profound impact on the local
community. Kids in children's hospitals had a
great group of companions working for them
today."
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