David Cassidy on the Web
David Cassidy's charity helps Catie Hoch Foundation
August 10, 2001.
By Jeannette Jordan
The Community News, www.catiehochfoundation.org
Entertainer David Cassidy and his wife Sue, right, flank Gina Peca of Clifton Park at The David Cassidy/KidsCharities.org benefit Saturday afternoon at Saratoga Race Course. Peca is the mother of the late Catie Hoch.
This was the second year in a row The David Cassidy/KidsCharities.org put together a day at the races inside the At the Rail Pavilion at Saratoga Race Course. On Saturday, an ''over sold'' crowd of more than 200 helped raise at least $75,000.
Founded in 1999 by Sue Shifrin-Cassidy, wife of entertainer David Cassidy, the non-profit organization, which assists children all over the world in various areas of need, has grown by leaps and bounds. ''It was my brainchild,'' said Sue Cassidy, who was quick to credit Chairwoman Debbie Avellino of Saratoga Springs with bringing a day at the races to fruition.
''When Kosovo occurred, we donated a song (''Message to the World'') we wrote and recorded with more than 80,000 people including celebrities as a fund-raiser for Warchild U.S.A.'' A sponsorship by Yahoo helped give birth to KidsCharities.org utilizing the Internet as an ongoing way to assist children, she added. Saturday's luncheon was specifically earmarked for Northeast Parent & Child Society, Belmont Child Care Association and the Catie Hoch Foundation.
The Catie Hoch Foundation was established in memory of a 9-year-old Clifton Park girl who lost her battle to neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive paediatric cancer. ''We established the foundation while she was alive,'' said her tearful mother Gina Peca of Clifton Park. ''We had a ball. She was an amazing child and we made the most of every single moment.''
Upset over the fact there was little research being done for paediatric cancers and also recognizing young patients needed a break from their cancer, Peca formed the foundation. It has since raised more than $60,000 helping 25 families to date.
A grant was given to Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York City to provide funding for families to treat their children to a day in the city. ''A social worker usually gives them $50 to do something fun with their child,'' Peca continued. ''It's difficult when I think of Catie. She helped come up with ideas for kids to do such things as go to F.A.O. Schwartz (a toy store). She'd write down all the fun places so others could have fun.'' Money from the foundation also purchased $17,000 worth of equipment to upgrade the neuroblastoma lab at the hospital.
While guests bet horses, ate wonderful food and perused more than 100 silent auction items, David Cassidy signed autographs, posed for pictures, graciously chatted with the guests and took time to be interviewed by FOX23 News.
Cassidy and Sue hope to eventually be summer Saratoga Springs residents. About a year ago they purchased 10 acres just outside the city to build a home. ''We have two homes in Las Vegas where I'm in the process of doing shows and touring,'' he said. ''By next year we hope to have a plan (for here), but realistically it most likely will be the year after that before we can build.''
Cassidy, who was born in New York and brought to the Spa City by his mom who was doing summer stock here, admits he can't get Saratoga off his mind. Having about five horses to race here could also have something to do with it. ''It is just one of the prettiest places I've seen. I've been here at least one day a year for the past 26 and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can come to stay at the place I just love the most.'' Faces in the crowd included locals Mary Beth Onyon, a member of the luncheon committee; Diane Dodd, who lost a son to liver cancer years ago; Cathy and Peter Belmonte; Mary Song and Assemblyman James Tedisco; and Diane and Richard Bomze, owners of Fourstardave, who are very involved with Belmont Child Care Association, which will have its own fund-raiser Aug. 22 at Canfield Casino (call 516-358-7224); horse owners Eileen and Joe Cornacchia and Laura and Eugene Melnyk, whose horse Edey's Village won the third race. Also, Holly and Bill Carroll, Donna Smith and Jim Bissett and Darlene and Dr.Jerry Bilinski
For more information about The David Cassidy//KidsCharities.org log on www.KidsCharities.org.
