The Marty Lyons Foundation recently hosted its 37th Annual Celebrity Golf Classic at the Old Westbury Golf & Country Club.
The Celebrity Golf Classic is the organization’s premiere fundraising event of the year, raising over $6.5M since the first outing in 1986, to grant wishes to children between the ages of 3 to 17 who have been diagnosed with life-threatening or terminal illnesses.
The organization celebrated this year’s Honorees of the Year, Paul Granito and Marco Battaglia of First Down Materials LLC. Also recognized by the Foundation for his commitment to the children was Class of 2023 Pro-Football Hall of Fame Inductee and New York Jets Legend, Joe Klecko.
“This event allows us to gather with those who support our mission as well as reflect on the work that we have done, and it reminds us that our efforts must continue. The funds we have raised will go a long way to providing wishes for children. Paul Granito, Marco Battaglia and First Down Materials continue to support the foundation and make contributions that have impacted the lives of children in need,” said Marty Lyons.
This year’s event attracted a large number of New York Jets alumni including Greg Buttle, Willie Colon, Erik McMillan, John Schmidt, Lance Mehl, Vinny Testaverde, Wayne Chrebet and other athletes and celebrities including Butch Goring (New York Islanders Legend) and 4 time Stanely Cup winner, Mike Francesa (New York Radio Legend), Otis Livingston (CBS TV), Phil Villapiano (Oakland Raiders Super Bowl Champion), Art Shamsky (World Series Champion on “Miracle Mets”) and Sean Reingold (New York Native and Actor).
The Marty Lyons Foundation, now in its 41st year, is a nonprofit organization founded by Marty Lyons, a former NFL defensive lineman for the New York Jets and member of the legendary “New York Sack Exchange.” Marty Lyons was forced to “see the frailty, unfairness and wonder of life,” after experiencing three life-altering events in March of 1982.
With the encouragement of his family and friends, he formed the Marty Lyons Foundation in December of 1982. In the years since, the organization has helped thousands of children and their families create beautiful, lifelong memories that will put a smile on their faces for years to come.
MLF is unique in that it will consider granting a second wish to a deserving child who is facing medical complications and may need the inspiration to once again face the battle of their lives. Since it was established, The Marty Lyons Foundation has granted 8,400 wishes that have brightened the lives of countless children.
For more information about the Marty Lyons Foundation and to support the organization, please visit, https://martylyonsfoundation.org/.
