Charitable Peachy Exclusive: Upcoming Mover and Shaker Patricia Kennedy Founder of Step up 4 Vets Joins in Honoring Veterans in New York Presents Peace One Earth Medallion to Tiffany Smiley Supports IAVA Fourth Annual Heroes Awards

Los Angeles philanthropist, patron of the arts and injured veterans activist
Patricia Kennedy founder of Step Up 4 Vets presented Tiffany Smiley, on
behalf of her husband Mover and Shaker Captain Scotty Smiley, with the Peace One Earth
Medallion for his efforts to support his fellow Veterans and his bravery in
combat. Capt. Smiley was blinded and seriously injured by a VBIED in Mosul,
Iraq. Valiant soldier, infantryman, Airborne Ranger, combat diver, mountain
climber, skier, tri-athlete, devoted husband and father, Capt. Smiley is the
first blind U.S. Army officer to lead a company. He was named “Soldier of the
Year” in 2007. The Medallion designed by Ms. Kennedy is inscribed with Capt.
Smiley’s name, the date of his injury and the title of his inspirational book, “Hope
Unseen”. 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.


Ms. Kennedy established 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 created the
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.


The bezel of the medallion is rimmed with her five essential E’s. At the center of
the medallion a dove hovers over the twin hemispheres, a single drop of blood
drips from his heart representing the last drop of blood shed for world peace if
we could follow these five essential E’s - Education, Equality, Ecology, Economy,
and Equity.
  
The presentation took place at the star-studded Career Transition for Dancers
(CTFD) 25th Anniversary Silver Jubilee at the Hilton New York prior to the
Anniversary Supper


Capt. Smiley and his wife Tiffany joined other guests of Ms. Kennedy at her table
for the gala dinner. As has become her tradition, Ms. Kennedy fills her table with
Veterans to thank them for their service to our country. Other military guests who
also attended the Career Transition for Dancers star studded retrospective at
City Center hosted by Angela Lansbury earlier in the evening included Col. John
Christian, Director U S Army Special Operations; Sgt. Todd Bowers, Deputy
Director IAVA; Major Jacob “Jake” Miller USMA and his wife Amanda.


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. She designed the
Peace One Earth medallion in 2008 to honor their service and sacrifice. In
recognition of her enormous charitable efforts and philanthropy she was invested
Dame of Merit with Star in the Scared Military Constantinian Order of St George.
At the core of Ms. Kennedy’s beliefs is the concept that the dance and theater
experience 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, some 20 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


While in New York, Ms. Kennedy continued her support for injured Veterans and
attended the Iraq Afghanistan Veterans of America Fourth Annual Heroes Gala
honoring Afghanistan Veteran, best selling author, IAVA Board Member and
investment professional Wes Moore. The NFL Today and former Head Coach
of the Pittsburgh Steelers Bill Cowher presented Mr. Moore with the Veterans
Leadership Award, given annually to an Iraq or Afghanistan Veteran who has
demonstrated immense courage and leadership within the veterans’ community.


Also honored was David Gelbaum, CEO Entech Solar; Chairman, The Quercus
Trust; Venture Philanthropist and Founder of the Iraq Afghanistan Deployment
Impact Fund at the California Community Foundation in Los Angeles who
received the Civilian Service Award. NBC Nightly News Anchor Brian Williams
served as the gala’s emcee.


Presenting the award to Mr. Gelbaum was former IAVA honoree All My Children
star and motivational speaker J. R. Martinez, who suffered burns over 40% of
his body and undeterred went through 32 surgeries. He became a motivational
speaker and joined the cast of “All My Children” in 2008 as combat veteran, Brot
Monroe.


New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg also addressed the crowd and
congratulated IAVA founder Paul Reickhoff and his team for all they do for
veterans.


The following day, Veterans Day, found Ms. Kennedy proudly marching up
Fifth Avenue representing Step Up 4 Vets along with over 20,000 of her fellow
Americans who were all part of the largest parade in its 91 year history.