Pressrelease: One Step Closer - an Aids benefit
NYC - MARCH 13, 2010
A skating exhibition to benefit the prevention and treatment of
HIV/AIDS
The
idea came to me (Tim David) on May 31, 2009 after a rehearsal for
the end of year North Jersey FSC exhibition. I wanted to use my
resources and talent and knowledge as a skating director and executive
assistant for 9 years. I wanted to make a difference. I knew a lot
of benefits shows already happened and were on the works, Breast
cancer & Muscular Dystrophy, shows such as Stand up for Life,
Skate for Life, and Skate for Hope. So I decided that I wanted to
do an aids benefit. I knew this was not an easy project to tackle.
But I was determined that day to make it happen. I phoned my General
Manager at the rink and have set the day and date that afternoon
for Saturday March 13, 2010.
Now, title of the show…. I previously helped my friend Aaron
Gillespie with the title of his show when he had his epiphany that
night for Stand up for Life. I also loved Destiny Child’s
song, Stand up for Life and thought it was very fitting for the
show. Now to come up with my own title and theme song…. My
partner/husband Brian Mancuso had come up with One Step Closer.
He believes that every benefit and funds go to the research for
the cure, we are one step closer. Perfect, I thought.
The theme song hasn’t hit me yet, so I decided to search for
aids foundations and the cast of skaters. The aids foundation that
One Step Closer benefit will raise money for is the Aids Resource
Foundation for Children. Their mission, “Meeting the needs
of children and families living with HIV/AIDS.” I looked through
their services and was touched by the good deeds that they do. I
called them up and expressed my interest.
While I was waiting for the foundation to agree on collaborating
with me on this benefit I started looking for skaters.
I asked my former coach, friend, and mentor US Open competitor Heidi
Vanderhoof, and close friends 1999 US Juvenile champion Aaron Gillespie,
2006 North Atlantic Regional champion Michael Quadrino, 2001 US
Juvenile Brady Chin and 1996 & 1997 US National Senior Ladies
competitor Alizah Allen to skate, and all happily agreed. I then
contacted other friends and Facebook friends; Nicholas LaRoche,
Melissa Bulanhagui, Valentina Marchei, Rory Flack-Burghart, Kylie
Duarte and Colin Grafton, and Scott Smith and In addition to the
cast I also have skating champions such as Ann Patrice McDonough
and Oksana Baiul. I also have other skaters who will let me know
around November whether they can skate and attend the benefit on
March. Performing also are the Figure Skating in Harlem synchro
team.
Serving
as my honorary guests I have Sharon Cohen-Founder of Figure Skating
in Harlem, Figure Skating Fashion Designer Tania Bass, 2-time Swiss
national figure skating champion, former European & World competitor,
2-time Professional Bronze medalist, Guinness World Record holder
Lucinda Ruh. Within my board of directors I have US Adult National
competitor Thom Mullins and US pairs legend Tai Babilonia. Helping
me making this show a success I also have my partner/husband Brian
Mancuso serving as my executive director and close friend Karen
Malanum as my associate producer event coordinator. The logo of
One Step Closer is designed by my close friend and New York City
Fashion Designer Potenciano Adobas.
The event is being held at Central Park’s Lasker Skating Rink
where I serve as their Figure Skating Director. It is a two rink
outdoor facility located at 110th Street Central Park North. Tickets
will be available online on Monday, August 3, 2009.
The official website of the event is www.onestepclosernyc.org
