At Professional, we’re already in the business of helping others achieve their healthiest, best versions of themselves. Through Charity Challenge, we’re taking it to a higher level by helping even more people and making a difference in our communities.
Uniondale, New York (PRWEB) December 04, 2014
Many companies talk about giving back, but at Professional Physical Therapy (“Professional”) charitable giving is an integral part of what makes it a great place to work and fantastic community partner. Since its inception in 1998, Professional has sponsored and participated in hundreds of local charity events. This year was no exception, and Professional donated more charitable funds than in any previous year.
For the second year, Professional held a companywide Charity Challenge to support philanthropic organizations. Professional’s 2014 Charity Challenge took place from July through September and consisted of nine employee-driven teams, each supporting a different charity of its choice through events and other opportunities. The teams competed with one another and were judged on a variety of criteria, including how well they shared the charity’s message, brand, and communal significance. The winning team’s contributions were matched by Professional.
What does it take to win Professional’s Charity Challenge? “We won this year, because we had great team participation,” said Christina Kavanagh, winning 2014 team captain and certified athletic trainer. “Like many of my colleagues, I was raised with the philosophy that helping those less fortunate is the most rewarding gift you can give. At Professional, we’re already in the business of helping others achieve their healthiest, best versions of themselves. Through Charity Challenge, we’re taking it to a higher level by helping even more people and making a difference in our communities.”
This year’s winning team held an event to support HorseAbility and was comprised of Professional employees from its Great Neck, Roslyn/Greenvale, and Merrick clinics. The team raised $13,178, which was matched dollar for dollar by Professional, and a check for $26,356 was presented to HorseAbility’s leadership on Friday, November 14, 2014. Located in Old Westbury, New York, HorseAbility offers therapeutic riding programs, hippotherapy, and summer day camp with a wide range of horse-related programs to children, adults, and families with special needs to promote the physical, psychological, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being of its participants. Professional was proud to support such a worthwhile cause.
“We were very fortunate to have been selected as the philanthropy of choice of one of Professional Physical Therapy’s Charity Challenge teams,” said Katie McGowan, executive director and founder of HorseAbility. “The event was a success and helped spread awareness about our unique programs. We were thrilled to hear the team won, and Professional presented us with a contribution of over $26,000. The funds will help us serve new populations, including military veterans, dementia-care participants, special education school groups, day-habilitation programs, and more. It’s through the generosity of our donors and companies like Professional that we are able to serve the ever increasing population in need of therapeutic services.”
“Charity Challenge is now one of the highlights of our year at Professional,” said Adam Elberg, Professional founding partner, president, & CEO. “While we support local philanthropies year round, this staff-driven competition is very exciting. Our employees want to make a difference in the world and impact the communities they serve. They’re working hard to find creative, fun ways to engage the community, raise funds for worthy causes, and help people live better lives. I’m so proud of each and every one of them. Giving back through philanthropy and volunteering was always a significant part of my life. It’s great to share this passion with my colleagues.”
Eight other philanthropies also benefited from Professional’s Charity Challenge: The Alzheimer's Foundation of America; Benjamin and Sienna Fund; Breast Cancer Research Foundation; Girls Educational and Mentoring Services (GEMS); Grants for Athletics, Medicine, and Education (G.A.M.E.); Hole in the Wall Gang Camp; St. Joseph's Children's Hospital; and T.E.A.L. (Tell Every Amazing Lady) About Ovarian Cancer.
Watch Professional’s 2014 Charity Challenge event videos at http://www.professionalpt.com/2014-charity-challenge-videos.
“It’s amazing to see the commitment our employees have to giving back to the community,” said Eva Brandl, vice president of Marketing and Charity Challenge co-advisor. “Professional’s Annual Charity Challenge gives our staff the opportunity to spread awareness and raise funds for charities they care about. This year, Professional’s Charity Challenge raised more than $76,000, which is on top of our other philanthropic activities.”
In addition to raising funds for local philanthropies through Charity Challenge, Professional has been one of the top corporate fundraisers for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ Miracle Jeans Day, benefiting the Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York. On Monday, November 17, 2014, Professional presented a check for $11,680 to the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Foundation to support the vital work of Cohen Children’s Medical Center.
“We are grateful to Professional PT for their ongoing participation in Miracle Jeans Day and for raising $11,680 in 2014,” said Giustine Altschuler, senior director of Development for Cohen Children’s Medical Center. “Professional PT has been the top Miracle Jeans Day fundraisers for the past five years, and we appreciate their continued support.”
Professional’s management and staff are always willing to go the extra mile for people in need, and that includes several teams riding for miles each year during Cycle for Survival — the high-energy indoor team cycling event that was founded by Equinox and supports lifesaving rare cancer research through Memorial Sloane Kettering Cancer Center. In 2014, its fourth year participating, Professional raised over $5,400 for Cycle for Survival, and the staff is looking forward to riding with even more teams in 2015.
Whether supporting therapeutic treatments for people with special needs, cutting-edge cancer research, vital community services, local sports teams, or school events, Professional’s team is proud to serve the community and make a difference.
In addition to giving generously to worthy causes, Professional participates in a variety of community drives, including Crutches 4 Kids, Soles 4 Souls, and the Interfaith Nutrition Network Food Drive.
For more information about Professional’s philanthropic activities, please contact Lisa-Michelle Kucharz at lkucharz@professionalpt.com or 1-516-321-2446.
ABOUT PROFESSIONAL PHYSICAL THERAPY
Professional Physical Therapy (“Professional”), headquartered in Uniondale, New York, is a leading provider of physical therapy and rehabilitation services in the New York-metropolitan area and New Jersey. Founded in 1998, Professional now operates 40 outpatient physical therapy centers: 11 located within Equinox Fitness Centers, four located in Blink facilities, one located in a Velocity Sports Performance Center, and 24 standalone. The company’s outpatient physical therapy centers provide treatment to patients suffering from musculoskeletal impairments associated with accidents, sports injuries, and other medical conditions. Additionally, Professional operates a 20,000 square foot sports performance training facility in Garden City, New York. http://www.professionalpt.com
