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New York… A
group of Iraq, Afghanistan and Viet Nam Veterans & their
families enjoyed a birds-eye view of the Macy’s Thanksgiving
Day Parade from a prime perch overlooking Times Square at a
special brunch hosted by Los Angeles philanthropist, arts
patron and injured veterans activist Patricia Kennedy,
founder of Step Up 4 Vets. For several of the
families it was the first Thanksgiving together in several
years due to deployments and their first time at the parade.
The families came from as far away as Western Ohio for this
once in a lifetime experience.
For the last
three years, Ms. Kennedy a long time patron of the arts and
especially dance has successfully bought at auction at the
Career Transitions For Dancers Annual Jubilee, the Champagne
Brunch to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade from the
organization’s offices overlooking Times Square. A highlight
of the morning is the Balloon Toss- the children & adults
write messages to Santa and the balloons – 100s of them– are
tossed out the windows when Santa passes by in his sleigh!
An unabashed
patriot and supporter of our fighting men and women, Ms.
Kennedy launched Step Up 4 Vets in 2008 to partner in
the transition of our injured veterans as they readjust,
rebuild and redirect their lives. At the brunch, she
presented the organization’s Peace One Earth Medallion to
Stephanie Mahaney wife of Col. Patrick Mahaney.
In
presenting the Medallion to Mrs. Mahaney, Ms. Kennedy said,
“She exemplifies our tireless military spouses who raise
families alone while our men and woman in uniform go into
harm’s way, especially on multiple deployments. Their
sacrifices are very real and go much unnoticed. They don’t
receive metals or promotions and ask little or nothing in
return but that their spouse comes home safely to enjoy the
freedom they fought for. Step Up 4 Vets is honored to
present Stephanie Mahaney with the Peace One Earth medallion
in recognition of her tireless and selfless contributions to
her family and other military families and to the loved ones
left behind who must forge ahead without their spouse and
parent”.
For over
twenty years Patricia Kennedy has had a deep impact on the
future of dance, especially in the ballet world as a great
supporter of the Joffrey Ballet serving on the board from
1984-1994 Transitioning from the board in 1993 she
co-produced with Gerald Arpino the internationally
famed Prince ballet “Billboards” which is the most
commercially successful ballet in history.
A longtime
supporter of Career Transition for Dancers she was honored
by CTFD with the Award for Outstanding Contribution to the
World of Dance in 2004. From 2005 to 2007, she served as
gala chair raising millions of dollars
for CTFD and their support programs for injured dancers.
Transitioning once again and taking a page from CTFD’s
playbook, she founded Step Up 4 Vets to help injured
Vets transition to civilian life. To honor our veterans, Ms.
Kennedy created Peace One Earth as a way to express
gratitude to the defenders of our freedoms while
acknowledging the hope for a world at peace.
Ms. Kennedy
designed a beautifully crafted Peace One Earth medallion to
make a statement about what is really important and
essential in a peaceful society and to acknowledge the
service and sacrifice of our troops and veterans who have
given so much in pursuit. Since then, the Peace One Earth
Medallion has been bestowed on a number of heroes as well as
several individuals who have championed veterans. The Peace
One Earth Medallion is now available on The Military
Shopping Channel with proceeds going to the programs of Step
Up 4 Vets
In
recognition of her enormous charitable efforts and
philanthropy, she was recently invested Dame Grand Cross in
the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George, only
the second American woman ever to receive this highest
honor. At the core of Ms. Kennedy’s beliefs is the concept
that dance and theater experiences and, yes, parades can
have a transforming effect on the injured veterans and
elevate the spirit to aid in the healing process.
For more
information, please visit
www.stepup4vets.org
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