New!  All the photos have been posted here. Posted by event attendee.

A Journey of a Thousand Miles

The first annual Chiari & Syringomyelia Foundation Charity Ball was held on Saturday, April 5, 2008 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Staten Island, NY. There were 230 people in attendance that evening for fun and festivities. CSF was happy to be able to raise additional funds of over $100,000 for the quarter of a million people who suffer with CM & SM.

The evening started out with the Bobby Jones Society VIP Reception where Mike Mikula welcomed everyone. There were many familiar faces, including the Farrell, Rumphrey and Aversano families.

Guests proceeded to the Garden Room for the cocktail hour where they enjoyed appetizers, drinks, and music while dropping their tickets into baskets to try to win one or more of the over 50 fabulous raffle prizes.

Dinner and dancing followed in the ballroom for the remainder of the evening. There were over 90 auction items on display including trips, sports memorabilia, jewelry, artwork, electronics, toys, and luxury handbags and accessories.

At the dinner, Joe Fitzpatrick started out the evening as Master of Ceremonies and introduced Paul Farrell, CSF Founder & Board Chairman, who welcomed everyone and gave us a glimpse into all the exciting things that will be happening with CSF. He is optimistic that we will be able to reach our goals because of all the caring people who support CSF. He said our core objective is to find a cure for CM and SM.

Dorothy Poppe, CSF's Executive Director, then presented Bob Rumphrey and Denise Aversano with awards to honor their endless commitment and dedication to helping find a cure for CM & SM. Additional award recipients included Bess Kindlon, Doug & Karen Kindlon, Candida Lancaster from the Monkton Institute, Mike & Denise Mikula and Bob & Toni Rumphrey. After the awards presentation, Cathy Poznik gave a moving tribute and update on the many children whose names have become familiar to so many in the CSF family.

Once the speeches were finished, we were able to make final bids on the silent auction items and dance the night away. CSF is grateful to all who made this wonderful evening possible.

CSF thanks the following individuals and companies for their generous silent auction and raffle donations:

Scott Agasaki

American Girl

Yvonne Anderson

Denise Aversano

Cliff and Linda Aversano

Keith and Sue Ehrichs

Bobby Jones Golf

Tom Dolan

Craig Hamilton

Rick and Heather Hoffman

Rich Johnson and Mark Weissman

Kara Ketchesin

Patty Kosty

Jerry and Joan Kyle

Mac's Steakhouse

Don and Eleanor Malandro

Steven and Lynn Nemec

Douglas Owens

Jennifer Pescitelli

Ingrid Petricone

Lisa Riddle (L&D Events)

Joan Rothman

Bob and Toni Rumphrey

Stephanie Rumphrey

Santana Partners

Lucy Squicciarini

Jay Strongwater

Faith Webb

Woodloch Pines

CSF thanks the 2008 Charity Ball sponsors for their support:

Silver Sponsors

Paul Farrell/Farrell Law Firm

Bob and Toni Rumphrey

Santana Partners

VIP Table Sponsors

Command Web Offset Company

Lindenmeyr Book Publishing Papers

Unimac Graphics

Table Sponsors

AIG

Farrell Family

Bob and Mary Foreman

Long Island Veterinary Specialists

Medtronic's Spinal & Biologics Business

North Shore/LIJ Health System

A special thank you to Strategic Content Imaging and Yes Press, Inc. for their contributions to the Charity Ball.

This year's Charity Ball journal was the most successful one to date and we wish to thank the following for making that possible:

Best Foreclosure Opportunities Inc.

Bind-Rite Services, Inc.

Cynthia Bojalad

Gary and Loren Breslow

Chiari People of Montana

James Cleary

Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Cleary

Coliseum Caterers

Marylee and Matthew Davis

The Dragon Family

Brian and Donna Duffy

Jade Promotional Marketing

Paul and Patricia Farrell

Drs. Mark and Carylee Adamushko-Fili

Gary and Deborah Friedman

Joseph and Jill Gaba

Brian and Patricia Gerzeny

Al and Laura Giammaria

David and Sherri Ketchesin

Jeff and Patty Kosty

Karyn Kreps-Frisina

L.K. Comstock & Co., Inc.

Link Capital Partners, Inc.

Manhasset Medical Associates

Alan Merson

Steve and Tara Merson

John and Jo Ann Csaszar Miller

Michael and Tamara Musella

Paul and Deb Anderson Nees

Steven and Lynn Nemec

Richard and Lois Nicotra

Keith and Donna O'Donnell

Thomas and Liese Piazza

Andrew and Alexis Pizzurro

Julie Post

James and Cathy Poznik

David and Regina Rath

Rosemary Rorke

Scott and Stephanie Rumphrey

Salvani Investments

Eric Seidenberg

Steve and Jennifer Shebeck

John and Sally Sposato

Brian Wien

Thanks also to Mahon, Mahon, Kerins & O'Brien, LLC for their donation to the Charity Ball journal.

It was a very pleasant evening being surrounded by people who care so much about CSF and whose leadership, vision and commitment will lead us to a cure.