I would like to give thanks to the names below for participating in the Instagram community fundraiser on August 18th. I was incredibly moved by the outpouring of support not only in the form of monetary donations, but also words of encouragement. THANK YOU!
Liam Sullivan, Erin Cotterell, Quinn Conway, Erin McGuinness, Mrs. Lucchese, Lee Melamed, Justin Clappsy, Pat Corey, Mike Libecci, Hannah Milano, Alexis Walsh, Caileigh Nerney, Kaitlyn O'Shaughnessy, Brian Badrick, Joe Ferrara, Mairead Brown, Tori DeSpirito, Nikki Bugher, Eric Halvorsen, Joanna Pichardo, Billy Nerney, Corinne Bogan, Anthony Yurkowski, Boo Schrader, Zac DeRocco, Julia Sebastiano, Matt Nelli, Ally Petruzzelli, Billy Murphy, Lucas Mayell, Tara Mulvey, Nicole Cousounis, Zoe Brandenburg, Jake Dorr, Erik Obsteins, James Schaeffer, Annie Protzmann, Jack Linkin, James Moresco, Zach Warner, Colette LaPorta, Nick Noval, Anthony Scamardella, Angelina Pichardo, Gina DeBartolome, Shane Richey, Steve McAteer, Jack Jennings, Kayci Bjornsund, Carolyn Wang, Emily Winter, Kiera Murphy, Kristen Wheeler, Xena Valenzuela, Matt Aromando, Kieran Campbell, Joe Timmins, Cassidy Lunney, Rachel Meier, Carly Hymanson, Aoife McCague, Daniela Sirabella, Sam Meahan, Caileen Alexander, Jill Falvey, Sam Hoag, Sam Moorzitz, Madison Curtis, Vin Youncofski, Josh Drapkin, Tom Messina, Melissa Segovia, Alessandra Sirabella, Gab Jervis, Dan Isaac, Nick Galizio, Willa Jones Irwin, Jasmine Chiu
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This is a non-profit organization that provides tuition assistance for promising students who are passionate about dance or from Communications High School. This charity was set up for the remembrance and celebration of a wonderful young woman whose life was cut far too short. Debra was a ray of sunshine to everyone that had known her. Debra was a student at the University of Clemson where she was in the sorority Alpha Chi Omega. She was also a student at Communications High School in New Jersey and a life-long dancer as well as member of Clemson's Dance Team. This foundation continues to shed some of the light Debra brought to the world by making meaningful contributions to the well-deserving through dance, education and charity. We strive to honor the memory of a passionate young woman by impacting the many communities touched by her life.
My name is Matt McDavitt and Debra was my neighbor growing up. Her younger brother Nick was my age and my older brother Mike was hers so we were together frequently from as early as I can remember. Coming from a household of all boys, Debra was the closest thing I had to a big sister growing up and I always looked forward to the time I got to spend with her. She had a gentle and guiding presence about her unique to being a big sister, and I know that she genuinely cared about me the way an older sister would. On the day of her completely unexpected passing, I received a phone call from my mother telling me the news and I will never forget how I uncontrollably wept in the shower while trying to get myself ready for a midterm exam (needless to say, I failed that exam). As a pallbearer I stood as tall and stout as I could, trying to project confidence and reassurance at every step of the way, and masking the chaotic emotions that ravaged me inside. Her brother Nick and I continue to have an unspoken connection about the events of that day and are currently roommates in New York City. Today, running is my greatest source of strength and pride. For me, there is no better way to honor Debra than to dedicate the most important race of my life to her- the Atlantic City Marathon. This race is in 4 months and I will train harder for it than I ever have for anything in my life. I will train like she is right there next to me for every mile- and maybe even be a Boston Marathon Qualifier when I cross that finish line. Debra was a dancer, and I am a runner. Please consider a donation so that you can join me in this race to honor Debra's memory. Thank you!
