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2008 HEARTSONGS GALA MDA KICKS OFF ANOTHER GREAT YEAR AT ITS 2008 HEARTSONGS GALA On February 23, 2008 the sixth annual Heartsongs Gala proved to be a hugely successful event to benefit the Greater Washington Muscular Dystrophy Association. Due to the generosity of over 600 attendees, top name sponsors and the Italian Ambassador, Giovanni Castellaneta, the event raised $869,209! Mamma Lucia Restaurants sponsored the Grand Destination in the ballroom where Tuscan style décor and dinner complimented the room. The cocktail reception, sponsored by L&M Produce, was also adorned with a classic Italian theme – a celebration of the piazza, which included gelato and olive oil tastings, a Vespa, and a silent auction. Tony Perkins of FOX5 was the Emcee for the evening for the fifth time in six years. He introduced Tony Danza, whose screen credits include “Taxi” and “Who’s the Boss.” Perkins also presented the 2008 Mattie J.T. Stepanek Heartsongs Award to Jimmy Fragoyannis of Mamma Lucia Restaurants and Stephen C. Moss of Agusta Westland North America, Inc. John Salamone, President of the National Italian American Foundation, chaired the memorable event. He was supported by several co-chairs and a committee that included representation from businesses such as Mamma Lucia Restaurants, L&M Produce, Reznick Group, Easterns Automotive Group, Dade Paper, Silver Diner, Fidelity & Trust Bank and The Tower Companies. Many local families who will benefit from the money raised at the event were present for the festivities, including keynote speaker Jeni Stepanek, mother of late peacemaker and poet Mattie Stepanek. The Heartsongs Gala is held every year in Mattie’s memory. EVENT INFORMATION Join us as we travel Italy at the Heartsongs Gala with dinner, auction, dancing, food and wine. Entertainment will be provided by both Tony Danza and Radio King Orchestra http://www.rkoswing.com/.
February 23, 2008 Marriott Wardman Park Hotel 2660 Woodley Road, NW Washington, D.C. 20008 Black Tie 6:00 
Heartsongs Gala All proceeds from this evening's event will help the Greater Washington Area MDA battle forty-three neuromuscular diseases, including Lou Gehrig's disease. MDA's medical and service programs include summer camp, cutting-edge medical treatments and clinical research that are directly benefiting those we currently serve. Thanks to your support, MDA ensures that those diagnosed with a neuromuscular disease are never alone.
EVENT COMMITTEE
Event Chair, 2008 John Salamone – National Italian American Foundation Event Co-Chairs, 2008 Bruno Fabi - Mamma Lucia Restaurants Donald Kahn - Dade Paper Robert Giaimo - Silver Diner Jim McWhorter - L&M Produce David Holtz - Dade Paper Barry Watkins - Fidelity & Trust Bank
Heartsongs Award Recipients, 2008 Jimmy Fragoyannis – Mamma Lucia Restaurants Stephen C. Moss – AgustaWestland North America, Inc. Committee Members, 2008 Robert Bassam - Easterns Automotive Group Allan Bergenfield – Bergenfield & Associates Suzanne Bouhia – Reznick Group Josh Carin – Geppetto Catering Nick Champeau – Easterns Automotive Group Louis Columba – Verizon Judy Damiani Karen Edwards – MCPADNET Printing Mark Engelking – Provident Bank Bob Giamo – Silver Diner Greg Kauffman – Kauffman Design Company David Kessler – Reznick Group Scott Mendelson – Edge Commercial Eric Meyrowitz – WDCW-TV Janelle Morris – WDCW-TV Leslie Mostow – Reznick Group Celie Niehaus – E*TRADE Financial Chris Osborn – Great American Restaurants Chris Otway - Marriott Wardman Park Hotel John Pearlman – Congressional Seafood Jeff Penn – Proper Entertainment Lauren Sadlon – Great American Restaurants Paul Traub – Great American Restaurants Chuck Wallach – Tower Companies Michael Watts – CNN
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