Injured Vets Get Birds Eye View of Macy's Parade

by BWW News Desk Nov. 21, 2011

Iraq, Afghanistan and Viet Nam Veterans & their families will view one of New York's legendary traditions from a prime perch overlooking Times Square at a special brunch hosted by Los Angeles philanthropist, arts patron and injured veterans activist Patricia Kennedy, founder of Step Up 4 Vets at the offices of Career Transition for Dancers.

For the last three years, Ms. Kennedy a long time patron of the arts and especially dance has successfully bought at auction at the Career Transitions For Dancers (CTFD) Annual Jubilee, the Champagne Brunch to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade from the organization's
offices overlooking Times Square. Career Transition for Dancers Headquarters is located at 165 West 46th Street, New York 10036. Joining Ms. Kennedy in welcoming the Vets will be Alexander Dube, Executive Director of CTFD.

As she has done with Career Transitions for Dancers Jubilee Gala, her guests will not be captains of industry, celebrities or socialites, but America's most devastatingly wounded warriors. An unabashed patriot and supporter of our fighting men and women, Ms. Kennedy launched Step Up 4 Vets in 2008 to partner in the transition of our injured veterans as they readjust, rebuild and redirect their lives.

For over twenty years Patricia Kennedy has had a deep impact on the future of dance, especially in the ballet world as a great supporter of the Joffrey Ballet serving on the board from 1984-1994
Transitioning from the board in 1993 she co-produced with Gerald Arpino the internationally famed Prince ballet "Billboards" which is the most commercially successful ballet in history.

A longtime supporter of Career Transition for Dancers she was honored by CTFD with the Award for Outstanding Contribution to the World of Dance in 2004. From 2005 to 2007, she served as gala chair raising millions of dollars for CTFD and their support programs for injured dancers.

Transitioning once again and taking a page from CTFD's playbook, she founded Step Up 4 Vets to help injured Vets transition to civilian life. To honor our veterans, Ms. Kennedy created Peace One Earth as a way to express gratitude to the defenders of our freedoms while acknowledging the hope for a world at peace. Renowned for her exquisite jewelry collection, Ms. Kennedy designed a beautifully crafted Peace One Earth medallion to make a statement about what is really important and essential in a peaceful society and to acknowledge the service and sacrifice of our troops and veterans who have given so much in pursuit. Since then, the Peace One Earth Medallion has been bestowed on a number of heroes as well as several individuals who have championed veterans.

In recognition of her enormous charitable efforts and philanthropy, she was invested Dame Grand Cross in the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George, only the second American woman ever to receive this highest honor. At the core of Ms. Kennedy's beliefs is the concept that dance and theater experiences and, yes, parades can have a transforming effect on the injured veterans and elevate the spirit to aid in the healing process.

For the last three years, at Career Transition for Dancers Annual Gala, Patricia has hosted at her table – not CEOs or dance world luminaries - but injured veterans and their spouses. Each year during the event's auction, she has purchased The Thanksgiving Day Parade Brunch overlooking Times Square to which she invites veterans and their families.

This year as in previous years, injured veterans and their families will be treated to an elegant champagne brunch while watching the parade from Career Transition for Dancers' offices overlooking Times Square. There will also be games, balloons and special treats for all the children.

For more information, please visit www.stepup4vets.org