FAR HILLS, NJ -- SharingVillage Survivor Groups will host Driving for Surviving, the Pediatric Oncology Equestrian Carriage Driving Program's annual Human Spirit Award Luncheon, on Sunday afternoon, October 11 at the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation headquarters in Gladstone, NJ.
Six-time Olympic veteran Robert Dover, the nation's all-time most decorated dressage rider, is Honorary Chair of the fifth annual event which will honor Candi Covino Aversenti, CEO of General Magnaplate Corporation and a two-time American Saddlebred World Champion.
"We are thrilled to honor Candi and have Robert as our Honorary Chair at our award luncheon," said committee chair Paula Duva. "Both have achieved remarkable success in the horse world; but more significantly, both have done so much to provide assistance to those in need, like the young people stricken with illness with whom we work at SharingVillage."
The Driving for Surviving Award Luncheon will begin at 11:00 am with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres in the grand rotunda of the historic USET barn at Hamilton Farm. Attention will then shift to the outdoor arena for a Four-In-Hand driving demonstration by Louis Piancone, whose wife Teri will accompany him in his vintage 19th century coach. A traditional horn blowing demonstration will augment the idyllic setting.
Culminating the outdoor activities will be a series of demonstrations by youngsters involved in the Driving for Surviving program. Each will drive a miniature horse or pony through a personally designed routine. The outdoor program will be followed by a sit-down luncheon in the elegant USET stables built by famed financier Diamond Jim Brady in 1916. A silent auction will be held throughout the day featuring rare items and services, including new Ferrari and Maserati cars.
Lead sponsors of the event include Bill Vince Auto Group, Brendahl Farms, Carol G. Simon Cancer Center/Atlantic Health Care, Coughlin Duffy LLP, Eleanor and Bill Vince, Equestrian Aid Foundation, Fannie E. Rippel Foundation, General Magnaplate Corporation, Homestead Miniature Horse Farm, James and Paula Duva, Louis and Teri Piancone, Neiman Marcus, PNC Wealth Management, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Wide World of Cars-Ferrari and Maserati, USET Foundation, and WineLibrary.com.
SharingVillage is a 501c3 not-for-profit New Jersey corporation dedicated to helping child and adult survivors of life threatening illness and their families by providing the tools needed to understand and cope with the challenges of living with illness. Driving for Surviving is a program designed for children who have been diagnosed with cancer or other life threatening illness. All services are provided free of charge.
Further information on tickets, sponsorships and the opportunity to donate ponies or miniature horses to the Driving for Surviving program is available on line at www.sharingVillage.org, by email at office@sharingVillage.org or by calling 908-234-0334.
