Old Westbury, NY - July 22, 2015 - Sports legends and celebrities participated in the Marty Lyons Foundation’s (MLF) 30th Annual Celebrity Golf Classic on Monday, July 13, 2015 at the Old Westbury Golf and Country Club. The event was held in support of the Foundation’s mission to grant special wishes for children with life-threatening or terminal illnesses. The day began with a special visit from Shaun Carroll, a child from Commack suffering from a debilitating illness. Shaun and his mother Diane publicly thanked The Marty Lyons Foundation for granting their family a second wish this past May, a trip to Universal Studios in Florida. Shaun’s brother, Kevin, who suffers from the same illness, was granted a wish in 2013 to go to Give Kids the World in Orlando.
Another Foundation wish child, Michelle Izzo of Wantagh, and her mother Fortunata attended the awards ceremony during the evening reception, where they received special recognition. Michelle, who was diagnosed with leukemia, was granted her wish to go to Disney World in 2014 with her family. She has since undergone a heart transplant in January of this year. A video of her story produced for the Foundation by B-Train Films was shown to dinner attendees and can be seen here
More than a dozen Foundation supporters were recognized and honored during the reception. Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, received The Bill Gibney Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was renamed to honor the memory of Mr. Gibney, the first president of The Marty Lyons Foundation Board of Directors, who recently passed away. His tremendous efforts still impact the Foundation today.
“Marty Lyons is an inspiration and the Foundation is doing important work for children and for families. I have been a supporter for many years and have met wish children and I have watched Marty interact with them. Receiving this recognition at the 30th annual golf event is a special moment for me,” said former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.
The Foundation also honored this year’s Man of the Year Bobby Jordan, President of LI Sanitation Equipment, and recognized former NFL player Erik McMillan for his “positive influence in the game of life.”
The Marty Lyons Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by Marty Lyons, a former NFL defensive lineman for the New York Jets and member of the legendary “New York Sack Exchange.” Lyons’ determination led to the establishment of the Foundation after experiencing three life-altering events in March of 1982. These events forced him to “see the frailty, unfairness and the wonder of life.” With the encouragement of his family and friends, he formed The Marty Lyons Foundation in December of 1982. Since that time the Foundation has worked to keep hope alive in the hearts of thousands of children and provide support to their families.
The Marty Lyons Foundation provides wishes to children aged three to 17 years old who have been diagnosed as having terminal or life-threatening illnesses. MLF is unique in that it will consider granting a second wish to a deserving child who may need the hope and inspiration to face the battle of their lives for the second time around. Since it was established, The Marty Lyons Foundation has granted over 7,100 wishes that have brightened the lives of countless children. By playing a fun-filled day of golf or attending the dinner, supporters help provide the Foundation with the much needed resources to fulfill its mission of granting children their special wishes.
For additional information on the Marty Lyons Foundation, please visit them online or on Facebook.
Pictured: At The Marty Lyons Foundation's 30th Annual Celebrity Golf Classic (from left to right) is Marty Lyons, Foundation Founder; Diane Carroll of Commack with her son Shaun Carroll, whose wish was granted by the Foundation this past May; Susan Schroy, Foundation Wish Coordinator; and Kenny Schroy, Foundation Board Member. Shaun Carroll attended the Golf Classic with his mom to present Marty Lyons and The Marty Lyons Foundation supporters with a special "Thank You" photo collage of images from his May wish trip to Universal Studios. Shaun spoke with Lyons about his wish trip and meeting the "Minion" from his favorite movie, "Despicable Me." The presentation took place just before the kick off of the 30th Annual Marty Lyons Foundation Celebrity Golf Classic. The Foundation grants wishes for children with chronic or life threatening illnesses.
