Members of the Long Island business community and volunteers are hitting the gym, drinking raw eggs and running up stairs to the Rocky theme song as they train for the 14th annual Long Island Fight for Charity fundraiser next month.
This group of mostly first-time boxers are hard at work preparing for what’s billed as the only all-volunteer charity boxing match in the nation. This week, fighters found out who they’ll be facing at the main event in Melville on Monday, Nov. 20.
“There’s a part of Long Island that will actually take a punch for charity,” said Bill Corbett, a spokesman for the event. “It’s a once in a lifetime experience that’s really unique and something very special.”
In preparation for the event, organizers hosted the Inaugural Chips for Charity Poker Tournament on Oct. 3 at the SIMPLAY Sport Simulator Center in Hauppauge, where they also revealed the 2017 match up.
Beneficiaries of The Long Island Fight For Charity include charities supported by event co-founders Matt Silver, Jamie Austin and Jeff Cohen, such as Family Residences and Essential Enterprises Inc. (FREE), the Long Island Community Chest and The Genesis School to benefit causes ranging from providing the relief of bills for struggling Long Islanders, offering services and programs for people and families with developmental and physical disabilities, along with youth programs.
“One of our board members has a son that’s attended The Genesis School since he was a little child and they do amazing things,” Silver said. “FREE helps approx 10,000 people a day and the people that run it and work there are so dedicated. Money isn’t what they’re interested in making, they’re not worried about their salaries. They’re worried about helping individuals.”
The match ups are as follows:
Christen “The Princess of Pain” Pellegrini from Eden II Programs in East Meadow will be fighting Stephany Giannazzo from Adelphi University in Garden City.
Brooke “The Heavy Hitter” DeLio from Brown’s Jeep Chrysler in Patchogue will be fighting Lauren “The Belmont Brawler” Powers from the New York Racing Association in Jamaica.
Johnathan “Lethal Motion” Cartelli, Eq. from the Law Office of Johnathan Cartelli in Middle Village is going up against Brain “The Punisher Weiner” from Telephonics Corp. in Huntington.
Paolo (Moiria) “Pretty Face” Salomon from NYSC Long Beach is fighting Mike Signorelli from Heavy Hitters in Ronkonkoma.
Austin “The Cell King” Fierstadt from the Fuel Your Body Cafe in Hicksville is boxing George Castro.
Eliud “The Vortex” Custodio from ICD Publications in Islandia is dueling Lance “The Divorcer” Simon PLLC in Commack.
Gregg “Long Range Strike” Armanda from GE Aviation LLC in Bohemia is fighting David “Double-Click” Tan from CHIPS Technology Group in Syosset.
Kyle “The Real Deal” Burkhardt from Cushman & Wakefield in Melville is boxing against John “The Imperial Knight” Kraft from IMC in Huntington.
Billy Rizzi from The Lawn-Brokers Landscaping in South Hempstead is fighting Addison “The Assassin” Lemay from Smithtown.
Ed “Formerly Fast Eddie” Parry from LuHi Summer Programs in Brookville’s appointment is TBA
The Long Island Fight for Charity is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20 at Hilton Long Island, 598 Route 110 in Melville. Tickets cost $134-$250. For more information, visit lifightforcharity.org.
