Thank you everyone who helped Emma get a lift. As an update we want to thank everyone that had a hand in helping us reach our goal and raise over $60,000.00 to help Emma. Thank you for joining our Band. BUT, special Thank yous are in Order. If I leave someone out, I am sorry, but you will see why in a few. The family is shopping for a van, looking into the special requirements that must be made in the factory and the safety and life support features that need to be added after delivery. This could take a few months and we will be there to tell you all about our RIDE WITH EMMA. First, we all really need to thank Jill Siegel with a big hug. If it wasnt for Jill this would never have happened. She provided us the CALL TO ACTION From the start, she was so instrumental in getting this project off the ground. Her vast media experience, her professionalism and her intuitive guidance led the way for us to kick off this campaign and continue it up to the last minute to put us over the top. Her direction and advice on the video, her numerous drafts of our press releases, her relentless pressure on the media and her love for yours truly was the main reason this grass roots community event succeeded. We love her, I love her, hugs and big kisses to Jill. I also need to thank Mark Klein for his incredible media, radio and blues power savvy for asking me and my sister to take part in this wonderful project. My sister Angela Marie Lombardo for being Angela. She never took NO for an answer and was the main reason our raffle tables overflowed, the crowds that appeared for the event and the biscotti cookies I passed out. Pat, Emmas nurse, who not only started the donation process but her love and care for Emma can only be matched or exceded by Emmas incredible family. Vic for his incredible fortitude for collecting at almost every musical show on long island and Tricia Ann for her bellowing behind the scenes work in making this event such a success. Anthony Guerreri and Matt Brower for the assist on the video and Emmas Grandmother for obtaining donations that would blow your mind if I told you anymore about it. Thank you so very much Emmas grandmother. 89 North, Dan, Steve, William and the staff. You guys are amazing. As I said before, Its not only about the music, but the love and generosity of you all. Port Jeff Sports for the Tee Shirts, Paces Dockside, Carnival Restaurant, Bobbieque and all the other restaurants that supplied the food. Elaine Imperiale for her holding her own fund raiser, raising donations and awareness and cooking for the big event. The Painter Family for their long and continued love and support for Emma, the bike ride fund raiser and your attendance at our concert. The musicians, Randy Jackson, Motu and Dee, George Cintron and the Clapton Chronicles and The Stanton Anderson Band. You guys ROCKED us and thank you for your generosity. A Very Big Special Thank you to all the local musicians who mentioned us at their gigs, who raised money at their gigs for Emma. Frank Kingbee, Kerry Kearney, June Eysel, Karl Big Daddy, Mario Staino, Joseph Felicetta, Dawn Banks and the countless others I know I am forgetting and apologize. To the local music fan community, we reached out and you were there. Thank you all. Rich Balter, Jennifer, Ira, Hope, Steve Wovna and his wife (a friend I havent seen in 38 years drove 4 1/2 hours to share the event). Nan Siegler for her steady and love of music and standing guard at the door. We love you. The thousands of people who made monetary donations, hundreds that donated raffle prizes. Aunt Nicole for the head start. You got this ball rolling we just kept on pushing. Channel 12 News for their coverage (again thank you Jill for pushing and pushing). Long Island Collision, who, as we sit her today, is willing to help Emma and her family in ways that are so unbelievable. More to come on this issue. We are not done and this part of the story will be our happy ending in weeks to come. And last but not least, Emma Nelson. You are truly an amazing little 7 year old with the power of bringing thousands, not hundreds, but thousands of people from the Long Island Community together for this wonderful purpose. I wish everyone that reads this can experience and appreciate the Emma Aura. A glow from within. You have touched me like no other person has and you will also be a shinning light in my life and heart. We will always be there for you and I know you will always be in our hearts. Thank you for allowing me to join the band and this awesome experience. Emma, you have proven that Long Islanders can help Long Islanders. We love you. WE HELPED EMMA GET A LIFT. THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING THE BAND
Posted on: Thu, 26 Jun 2014 13:31:34 +0000