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The evening began with red carpet interview session where we got up close and personal with Selita Ebanks, songstress Shontelle, Alexandra Reeve Givens and honoree Dr. John E Kelly, III, Dr Kelley is the Senior VP and Director of Research at IBM. As a company IBM has created many products geared toward aiding victims of spinal cord injury. One of their latest innovations is WebAdapt2Me This technology allows impaired individuals the ability to navigate the web in new and exciting ways.
Also honored was Marsha Garces Williams, a philanthropist and long time friend of the Reeve family. She was given the Dana Reeve Hope award. Williams is also co-founder of the Windfall Foundation an organization that helps raise funding for several different charitable endeavors.
The final award of the evening, the Christopher Reeve Spirit of Courage Award was awarded to The Gonzalez-Bunster Family. Presented by gala Co-Chair Francine Lefrak, the award serves as a acknowledgment of the tireless efforts of the Bunster family in providing low income individuals the tools necessary to live a more “accessible” life. One of their crowning achievements to date has been their commitment to providing wheelchairs to the injured in earthquake ravaged Haiti.
In Addition to several testimonies from foundation members and highlight videos, guests of the gala enjoyed an incredible gourmet menu designed by David Burke and performances by Recording artists Jesse Rueben and Shontelle. Ruben shared a moving ballad simply title “Song for Zack”. The soulful tune is a tribute to his best friend Zack Weinstein who suffered a broken neck 5 years ago. Shontelle closed the evening with her hit single “Impossible”, a perfect choice for the evening’s theme of triumph and hope. Peppered by remarkable stories of triumph and adversity the evening ended on a high note with a high impact dance party, courtesy of house band The Starlight Orchestra who kept the crowd moving with covers of Black Eyed peas hits as well as several other party anthems. An evening of somber yet inspirational accounts as well as a joyous celebration of life and the enduring spirit of hope A magical Evening was had by all.
If you would like to learn more about the nights honorees please visit (and give generously!):
www.thewalkaboutfoundation.org
“You’ve got to give more than you take”— Christopher Reeve
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS FROM THE RED CARPET
unteagged images: Getty Images
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RT @johnsimonjsd Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation’s A Magical Evening 20th Anniversary Ga.. http://johnsimondaily.com/2011/01/exclus…
RT @JohnSimonJSD: RT @johnsimonjsd Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation’s A Magical Evening 20th Anniversary Ga.. http://johnsimondaily.com/2011/01/exclus…
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