06.03.10
Heather O’Reilly, 2 time Olympic Gold Medalist and current member of WPS Champion Sky Blue FC and U.S. Women’s National Team, visited the Jackson Mills Rd Soccer Complex to train the Freehold Comets U17G and Freehold United U9G teams. Heather was joined by Glenn Crooks, head coach of nationally ranked Rutgers Women’s Soccer team. Heather and Glenn came in support of the Graeme Preston Foundation for Life. Both the Comets and United earned the opportunity by raising the most pledge money for the 2009 Graeme Preston Soccer Marathon. After training and participating in a scrimmage with both teams, Heather graciously stayed and signed autographs and took pictures with all of the participants as well as several other FSL teams who were in attendance. To read the more on the story click here
06.01.10
During the week of February 15th-19th, students of Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft arranged a fundraiser in support of the Graeme Preston Foundation for Life. Throughout the week, students made contributions by purchasing wristbands and raffles for tickets to the 2010 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden in New York City. All of the net proceeds from the sales were donated to the Graeme Preston Foundation for Life. Graeme's message was spread throughout the CBA community and $500 was donated to help the foundation carry out its mission. Thank you to James Pinelli and CBA for your generous and thoughtful support!
04.27.10
This past fall, Jim King ran the New York City Marathon for the second year in a row to support the Graeme Preston Foundation for Life. Jim raised funds through pledges and donations that supported the foundation. Jim, who was never a runner before, said he became inspired by Graeme's life and legacy and wanted to do something positive and make a difference in other's lives. After many months and many grueling miles of training, Jim completed the 2008 NYC Marathon in his first attempt. He was cheered on by volunteers from the foundation at the 17 mile mark water station where he gladly accepted hydration and support! Just to prove it wasn't a fluke, Jim repeated the same feat in the 2009 NYC Marathon! Well done Jim, you are an inspiration to us all! Click here to see Jim after completing the 2009 marathon.
01.25.10
The Graeme Preston Foundation for Life is proud to introduce and sponsor the creation of the Dennis McGackin Jr. Music Club. The program was created to inspire children with a love for music. The foundation has partnered with Music University and the Freehold Borough YMCA to facilitate a music program where children attending the YMCA will have an opportunity to experience how music can enrich their lives.
Dennis, affectionately known as "DJ", had a passion for many things. However, his love for Freehold and music stood head and shoulders above everything else. Although DJ left us too soon, his passion for music will carry on in the children that participate in this program.
The Dennis McGackin Jr. Music Club was implemented to offer children the opportunity to experience music by providing lessons on a weekly basis in continuing twelve week sessions. The program will offer supervised practice sessions in guitar, keyboard, and drums. By partnering with Music University, the program aims to provide a professional music instructor to guide the children in mastering their music skills.
A kickoff celebration was held on January 25, 2010 at the Freehold Borough YMCA where guests and participants were treated to live music, refreshments, and a glimpse of the great talents involved with the program. A visionary of the program, Kelly McGackin, stated, "It actually happened to fall on DJ's birthday...or should I say DJ happened to make it fall on his birthday! Anyway, we couldn't have picked a better day!" After the program was introduced by the directors - Mel O'Neal of Freehold YMCA, Scott Preston, Dennis McGackin Sr., and Paul Salle from Music University - guests were treated to several performances of live music from a talented group of young musicians eager to jump start the program! What a great way for the Graeme Preston Foundation to honor DJ by celebrating his love of music and his love of the Freehold community!
10.06.09
Fore!!! What do you get when you combine great weather, eager golfers, dozens of volunteers, prizes, and golf pros? The first annual Graeme Preston Memorial Golf Outing. What a day it was! The event was held on October 6, 2009 at the beautiful Pine Barrens golf course in Lakewood, NJ. Over 100 men and women hit the greens to enjoy a great day of golf while supporting the foundation. The event was held in conjunction with Pros Reach Out in partnership with the Val Skinner Foundation. Val, a former LGPA pro, golf, and supporter of the Graeme Preston Foundation, held a golf clinic for beginners along with a few friends from the LGPA, including Jean Bartholomew and Beth Bader. The format for the outing was a modified scramble play, with awards for longest drive, closest to the pin, and low team score. After 18 holes, golfers enjoyed a barbeque dinner, where awards and prizes were given out. Thanks to all the sponsors, volunteers, and golfers who came out and made the day a success! We are looking forward to another successful event next year!
07.07.09
On May 30, the Foundation held our second annual picnic, The Festival of Friends, at Pine Grove day camp. Approximately 1,300 friends came together for a day of sunshine, food, sports, and games. As an added twist, this year’s event featured a carnival theme with boardwalk games for the kids, including a candy wheel, a ball toss, and a penny pitch, just to name a few.
The true spirit of the Foundation is in the act of giving. With the kindness that you extended to us, we were allowed to fulfill our mission by contributing to several worthy causes and individuals. They included the following:
- a $1,500 scholarship to two (2) graduating high school seniors
- a $625 donation to Blessings in a Backpack
- a $625 donation to Autism Speaks
- a $500 grant to the Eisenhower Middle School Student council, in furtherance of their charitable efforts
- a $1,000 donation to Friends of Bella McGovern of Colts Neck
The highlight of the day was the Foundation’s contribution of $5,000 to Camp Quality. Camp Quality is a summer camping experience and year-round support program for children with cancer. Their motto, "Letting Kids With Cancer Be Kids Again," fully explains the Foundation’s decision to support their organization.
An event like this does not happen without the assistance of others. We could not do this without the 200+ volunteers who graciously offered their time and skills to make this day so successful. We are indebted to the staff at Pine Grove Day Camp for their continued support of the Foundation. A special thanks to our co-chairs Deb Preston and Lisa LeMunyon. You continue to out do yourselves!
To you, our friends, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your part in helping ensure that the Grace of Graeme Goes On!
05.20.09
G’s LOV is growing and we’ve now added a section to this site for prospective volunteers to sign up. Click here to find out what G’s LOV is all about and join us in spreading love and kindness.
09.30.08
The cornerstone of The Graeme Preston Foundation for Life is based on the importance of affecting the lives of others through specific acts of kindness and generosity. As such, we believe that the personal commitment of time is the most precious gift that we can give to another. In furtherance of that philosophy, we are pleased to announce our first major initiative: Graeme's League of Volunteers (G’s LOV).
06.22.08
Our vision for the Graeme Preston Foundation has become a reality. Thanks to the generosity of people like you, we have extended acts of kindness to several worthy causes and individuals. These include:
- $1,000 scholarship to a graduating high school senior
- $750 Scholarships to two members of the Olympic Development Soccer Program
- $500 to the Eisenhower Middle School Student Council
- $1,000 donation to “The Friends of Brian Pringle”
- $5,000 donation to the Freehold First Aid Squad
Thanks again for helping us ensure that the Grace of Graeme Goes On!
06.22.08
Our kickoff event on June 22 was a great success! Thanks to the teamwork and efforts of countless volunteers, just under 1,100 of our family and friends enjoyed a day filled with smiles, sun (and a little rain), friendship and food. There was something for everyone—family activities, music, sports, a rock wall and repel line, a skateboard park and even a surprise appearance by skateboarder Bryan Wenning. But more importantly, it was a day to create awareness for a great cause.
05.20.08
The Graeme Preston Foundation hasn't been around long, but we've already raised over $50,000 thanks to your generous support! We're thrilled by the response we've received and encourage everyone who has contributed to come to our Foundation events. We'd love to meet you in person.
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