Bess Cohn Humanitarian Award Nomine:
Harvey Mackler, Gempire/Floral Promotions
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There are many diseases that have no cures. Few are as cruel and crippling as ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. “You become a prisoner in your body,” says Harvey Mackler, president of Gempire/Floral Promotions (asi/55610). “It is one of the most painful things imaginable. You can’t have the empathy necessary to watch it.”
But Mackler has been forced to watch it. His brother Scott was diagnosed with ALS nine years ago. There was a time Scott could run marathons in four hours. In college, he played varsity soccer. But today, Scott is confined to a wheelchair. He needs a feeding tube. He requires constant care for basic needs, like grooming. While his mind is sharp, his muscles have completely failed, leaving Scott only able to move his eyes.
“We had to celebrate his 20th wedding anniversary in his hospital room,” Mackler says. “It’s an ugly disease.”
Greatly moved, but not defeated, the Macklers have rallied support for Scott and other Delaware Valley ALS patients. With the help of The ALS Association, Greater Philadelphia Chapter, the Mackler family organized a 5k walk/run to raise money for research and patient care. The event has been held for the last nine years in Newark, DE. With this year’s fundraiser, the Macklers have now raised more than $1 million. Every dollar raised is directly donated.
“I am in awe of the Mackler family’s dedication to helping others who are battling this disease,” says Jim Pinciotti, executive director of Philadelphia’s ALS Chapter. “They have touched the lives of so many others, who are now able to communicate with their friends and family.”
Joined by others in the advertising specialty industry, Harvey Mackler has contributed merchandise for fundraisers as well. Companies have donated wristbands, bags, jewelry and apparel. “The industry has been good,” says Mackler. “People have been thoughtful and helpful.”
Despite his sufferings, Scott Mackler continues to go to work. He remains a leading addiction researcher at the University of Pennsylvania, his alma mater. Using an intricate, high-tech system, Scott is able to communicate with others using brainwave technology. He wears a cap that picks up the electrical activity of his brain. As he thinks about letters of the alphabet, a computer records them and eventually turns his sentences into speech. Scott’s story was recently told on 60 Minutes.
“Live life to the fullest,” Scott said during the 60 Minutes interview. “My wife and I now speak everyday of how we have no regrets.”
While Scott’s family and friends remain hopeful, they are realistic about his prognosis. ALS has no cure, and the disease unmercifully can lead to total paralysis.
Nicknamed baseball’s “Iron Horse” for playing in a then-record 2,130 straight games, Lou Gehrig succumbed to ALS in just two years. Scott has lived considerably longer, one of an estimated 30,000 Americans with the disease. “When I have a bad day, I think of Scott,” says Mackler. “It really puts things in perspective.”
For more information about ALS, visit www.alsphiladelphia.org or www.alsa.org.
CEO Rides To Honor Sister And Fight Cancer
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The distance between Barry Lipsett’s house and his office is 35 miles. By car, it’s a drive that normally takes 50 minutes. You can imagine how much longer it takes when you’re peddling a bicycle. “It’s definitely a lot of stopping and starting,” says Lipsett. “But the views are nice. I did it twice.”
Lipsett, who is the CEO at Charles River Apparel (asi/44620), bicycled to work as part of his training for the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC). The annual August event is a bike-a-thon that raises money for cancer research, with proceeds donated to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Massachusetts. Lipsett has ridden in the PMC since 2006, soliciting sponsorships and personally raising more than $20,000. In 2008, he rode 160 miles over two days, traveling through dozens of towns. “Riding on the Cape is something special,” he says. “And I did it for the challenge of it.”
Lipsett also did it as a tribute.
In 2006, his sister Susan passed away after a five-year battle with breast cancer. Susan also rode in the PMC for three years, encouraged by her doctor and loved ones. She is survived by her husband and three children, ages eight to 13. “She was a fighter,” Lipsett says. “She had a ton of friends. At the funeral there were hundreds of people. It was very emotional.”
Buoyed by more than 5,500 motivated riders like Lipsett, this year’s PMC was the most successful ever. Cyclists raised $35 million, making the PMC the largest athletic fundraiser in the world. “To have people along like Barry, it means everything to us,” says PMC spokesperson Jackie Herskovitz. “It’s a vehicle for those who are grieving to turn their grief into something positive.”
To further support cancer research and to honor the memory of his sister, Lipsett and Charles River have introduced a “Be Pink Proud” apparel line. It includes pink fleeces and polos, with a percentage of the profits donated to research and support organizations. In addition, Charles River has established a charitable fund. “We want to give back,” Lipsett says.
In generosity and in service, the PMC has brought the Lipsett family closer together. Lipsett’s sister Julie and her fiancé Steve Feinberg also ride. Combined, Julie and Steve have raised nearly $40,000 in the last three years. Also, Lipsett’s wife, parents, aunt and uncle are some of the thousands of yearly PMC volunteers.
And while he rides to honor and keep alive the memory of his sister, he also rides with hope in his heart. Lipsett’s mother has been diagnosed with cancer as well. “We’re trying to get our own team together,” Lipsett says. “We’re trying to get some of our sales reps to come in and we’re going to match any money they raise to help them with their fundraising.”
The first PMC was held in 1980 with 36 cyclists raising $10,000. Since then, the PMC has raised $236 million dollars, with every dollar going directly to cancer research. The 2009 PMC will be the event’s 30th year.
“I look forward to it,” Lipsett says. “I train for it.”
Scholarship Fund
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As the keystone along California’s Gold Coast, Ventura County is considered one of the safest and wealthiest places to live in America. It’s also home to one of the nation’s most well-respected private schools, Oaks Christian.
“We’re an independent school with a founder’s vision to compete with the best,” says Tom Konjoyan, vice president of development at OCS. “Our mission is part academic, artistic and athletic, with Christian values.”
But with a depressed economy, paying tuition at private schools, including OCS, is becoming much harder for parents. Realizing a great need, distributor Corporate Images Inc. (asi/169081) is establishing a scholarship fund for students to attend OCS. The California company is asking for the financial support of its business partners to grow the fund, promising to match any monetary gifts in full.
“The simple reason for the scholarship fund is that many students can’t afford private school tuition,” says Corporate Images President Mike Juels. “It’s been proven that the single most effective way to help a young person achieve their dream is to invest in their education.”
Starting next year, Juels hopes to provide two $25,000 scholarships to high school-age students to attend OCS. Annual tuition at OCS is roughly $21,000. “Through this fund, we can ensure that boys and girls can continue to reach their potential,” says Juels.
More than 1,000 young men and women attend OCS in grades six through 12. The school has gained recent notoriety because its students include the sons of celebrities. Former NFL great Joe Montana, hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky and actor Will Smith all have sons who play on the OCS football team. “The student population is diverse,” says Juels, who also has a son who attends OCS. “The financial aid program is double that of most independent private schools. It’s not just a school for the elite.”
Almost 37% of families receive financial aid at OCS. Nearly one-quarter of school revenues are used to provide that support. “We’re thrilled that Mike is willing to do this,” says Konjoyan. “Our area in Ventura County has been hit hard with a lot of real estate-related losses, so we have parents facing some struggles. This’ll help more kids in need.”
The criteria to decide who receives the scholarships haven’t been decided yet. But Konjoyan says only students in families needing financial aid will be considered. Students who are awarded with scholarships will be encouraged to connect with the company or individuals who provided the financial support. “We’ll have students write thank you letters and hopefully develop a good relationship,” says Konjoyan.
Juels has the long-term goal of increasing the number of scholarships. “If we can, we want to expand the pool to middle school students as well,” he says.
All donations to the fund are tax-deductible. For more information, visit: https://oakschristian.ejoinme.org/MyPages/CorporateImagesGifts/tabid/121687/Default.aspx.
Appointments & Promotions
Adventures in Advertising (asi/109480) has hired Greg Iott as vice president of marketing services. Also, Rebecca Kollmann has been promoted to the newly created position of director of business development.
AITG (asi/35530), Awardcraft (asi/36750) and Visions Awards (asi/93986) have announced the selection of new west coast multi-line representatives. Darren Cooke of West Coast Branded Solutions will represent southern California. Pam and Dale Martin of Martin Represents will handle the Four Corners territory covering WY, MT, ID, NV, UT, CO, AZ, and NM.
Csonka Worldwide (asi/47820) has hired Jordan Ross as vice president, Promo Markets.
Gildan has appointed Karla Schoenfeld to the newly created position of director of marketing.
iPROMOTEu (asi/232119) announced that it has hired Troy Mingo as its business development specialist.
Leed’s (asi/66887) has added Jennifer Titus and Sam Hallstrom to its sales team.
PromoShop (asi/300446) has added Alicia Lott to its staff. She will work out of the company’s corporate office in Los Angeles.
Royal Apparel (asi/83731) has hired Mark Kelly as national sales manager.
Senator Promotional Group USA has named Carol Gauger as the company’s new vice president of sales and marketing.
Spector & Co. (asi/88660) has added Drew Greer to its sales team. Greer will represent the company in AL, LA and MS.
The Gold Coast Promotional Products Association has announced its 2009 officers and board of directors. The following are among those selected: Bill Lazarus, president; Robert Hechler, vice president; Joseph Miller, treasurer; Ofelia Minagorri, secretary.
The Northwest Promotional Marketing Association has announced its 2009 leadership and executive committee. Mark Shinn will serve as president of the board of directors. The following will serve on the NWPMA executive committee: Lori Dollar, president-elect; Jamie Butkowski, vice-president; Dan Singley, secretary/treasurer; Evan Milton, immediate past president.
The Promotional Products Association of the Midwest has named its 2009 board of directors. They are:
Ted Fuehr, president; Cheryl Becker, vice president; Jacque McHugh, secretary; Tina VanHoogstraat, treasurer; Joe Keely, past president; Bill Wilder, director; George Smajda, director; John Short, director.
The Vernon Company (asi/351700) has appointed WinCraft Inc. (asi/361600) President John Killen to its board of directors.
Valley Forge Impressions (asi/350583) has appointed Christine Cancelmo to the position of account executive.
Obituary: Marsh Morie, 92
Marsh Morie was a renowned leader in the ad specialty industry in Canada, dedicated to building his business, improving his community and inspiring others. He recently passed away at the age of 92. “He was a big thinker and always tried to do new things that hadn’t been tried before,” says Jeff Morie, Marsh’s son. “He loved this business. He would ask questions and was open-minded. His curiosity was phenomenal. He was way ahead of his time.”
Morie founded his company, JM Morie and Associates, in the 1950s. The company, now called JM Morie Specialty Advertising (asi/276350) is run by Morie’s daughter Michele. Morie was one of the first Canadian distributors to attend U.S. shows. He was widely respected for his innovative marketing techniques, successfully promoting products in the oil, tourism and sports industries. And he was one of the first licensees to provide multicolor imprints on glassware, T-shirts, bolo ties and jewelry. “He was a great role model for all of us,” says Michele Morie. “He never forgot people and people will never forget him.”
Morie served in the Air Force in World War II. He was a proud Rotary member for nearly 60 years, honored by his call as a past Director of Rotary International.
Pre-deceased by his wife Gunhild (Gunny), Morie is survived by six children and six grandchildren.
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