Second Annual Golf Outing

Events, Past Events, Photo's

On September 18th, the Lead the Way Fund held its Second Annual Golf Outing and Dinner. The purpose of the day was to raise funds in support of Army Rangers and their families, to show gratitude for their many sacrifices and to generate awareness of the emotional, physical and financial challenges many of these military families face as a result of their service to our country. Participants enjoyed a round of golf on one of three beautiful courses, Plandome Country Club, Sands Point Golf Club and Wheatley Hills Golf Club. They were later treated to an evening of cocktails and dinner at Plandome Country Club, which included amazing live and silent auctions.

In addition to the Fund’s Board of Directors and over 400 participants, honored guests in attendance included Gen. William “Buck” Kernan, retired 4-Star General who has served both as former Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic (SACLANT) and former Commander in Chief, U.S. Joint Forces Command; Mr. James Lorraine, Director, USSOCOM Care Coalition; Medal of Honor Recipient and member of the Ranger Hall of Fame, U.S. Army Ranger, Paul Bucha and uniformed U.S. Army Rangers from 1st Battalion (1/75) – Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia.

Guests had the opportunity to talk with the Rangers, learn more about them and thank them personally for all they have done and continue to do in the name of freedom. The day was a wonderful success in every respect, and was an important and meaningful way for the community to honor the memory of Sgt. James J. Regan, a lifelong resident of Manhasset who was killed in Iraq in 2007.

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Lacrosse Day of Champions

Events, Past Events, Photo's

About 6,500 Attended From Early Morning Until the Last Firework Faded in the Sky

The Lead The Way Fund Lacrosse Day of Champions was an extraordinary day in a town that rightfully prides itself on its extraordinary lacrosse legacy. On Saturday, April 19, Manhasset hosted the first ever Lead The Way Lacrosse Day of Champions fundraiser, established in honor of its local resident, U.S. Army Ranger Sgt. James “Jimmy” Regan, who was killed in Iraq by a roadside bomb in February, 2007.

To honor Jimmy’s sacrifice his family established The Lead The Way Fund to raise funds in support of families of U.S. Army Rangers who have died, have been disabled, or who are currently serving in harm’s way around the world. The Lead The Way Fund helps ease the financial burdens faced by the soldiers and their families and provides medical needs, flying a wife to be at her husband’s hospital bedside during recovery, or fill the “gaps” that the Army and other services do not cover.

The other sponsor and benefactor of this great day was the newly established Indians Rock Community Foundation which is raising money to help build, repair and beautify the community sports facilities for the community.

Hosting a lacrosse event seemed like a natural idea as Regan was an All American high school lacrosse star at Chaminade and a Duke letterman from 1999-2002. In the course of his Duke playing days he earned the Academic ACC Award and ACC All Tournament honors by scoring four goals and two assists during the NCAA championship game.

A battalion of volunteers organized the day in a way that the visiting Army officers must have found impressive. With about 6,500 in attendance from early in the morning until after the last firework streaked across the sky, the day was flawless in execution.

When six United States Special Operations Command Black Daggers and two US 75th Regiment Army Rangers waltzed down from the sky, red jet streams following their graceful descent, to perfect landings on the field, it was a clear signal that this was no ordinary day.

Between games Regan’s parents, Jim and Mary, along with his sisters, Maribeth, Colleen and Michaela and Sgt. Jimmy Regan’s fiancée, Mary McHugh, took the field to thank the crowd and volunteers for their amazing support. “This is a day we know Jimmy would have loved,” Regan, Sr. told the crowd. “There is a lot of pride amid the sadness.”

Lacrosse fans were treated to an amazing line-up of games featuring fired-up players who treated each event like a championship game. The day kicked off with the Manhasset 8th grade girls and boys travel teams each playing in a mini tournament.

Cheers could be heard up and down Plandome Road when number one ranked Duke entered Ed Walsh Stadium. Moments later more cheers erupted when number 8th ranked Army entered with their black and gold helmets gleaming. This was not just another NCAA exhibition game; this was Jimmy Regan’s alma mater, Duke, playing his Army alma mater. Other than the Duke or Army alumni many Manhasset residents found themselves unsure of which of Regan’s teams they should root for, so they cheered for both. After all, both teams were playing for Jimmy. With ESPNU broadcasting the game live, eventually Duke won the 10-6 match showcasing why they are ranked number one in scoring offense and number 6 in defense in the country.

Another Regan match-up was the game between the Manhasset Indians (ranked 3rd in the country) vs. the Chaminade Flyers, ranked 8th in the country. With what seemed an almost equal number of fans for both teams, Chaminade proved itself the better team that day, winning 11-5.

A highlight of the afternoon was the Manhasset Girl’s Varsity team playing St. Anthony’s. Regan’s youngest sister, Manhasset senior #10 Michaela Regan scored four goals and one assist, helping her team to a 14-11 victory on this extraordinary day of Manhasset lacrosse history.

As the sun set the New York Fire Department and the New York Police Department took the field and delighted the fans with their speed, power, and lacrosse prowess. The crowd was once again on its feet cheering for both teams, and the NYPD Finest won the contest.

Standing along the sidelines thoughts turned to the phrase from our national anthem, “And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air” and the ultimate price Sgt. Jimmy Regan paid for his country as fireworks streaked across an inky black sky and marked an end to this historic Manhasset event.

Both The Lead The Way Fund and the Indians Rock Community Foundation want to thank their volunteers who devoted their time and efforts to make the day a success. Very special and warm thanks also go to all Manhasset residents for their participation and patience during the day, The Town of North Hempstead, the Manhasset Park District, the Manhasset School Board, Manhasset School District Superintendent, Charlie Cardillo along with Manhasset High School Athletic Director, Carolyn Pagnano and the entire athletic office. Also instrumental in making the immense logistics of the day run smoothly was Manhasset School District Facilities Director, Armand Markarian, and his talented team of Joe Monda and Theresa Manieri.

The leaders of both organizations look forward to updating the community shortly with the financial success of the day.

The Lead The Way Lacrosse Day of Champions was an opportunity to honor one of Manhasset’s bravest sons, as well to celebrate with friends and extended Lacrosse family an extraordinary day of lacrosse and being together working toward the greater good.

LACROSSE TEAMS MOURN SOLDIER
CBS Evening News

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Ranger Morale Package Drive

Events, Past Events, Photo's

In November 2007 The Lead The Way Fund teamed up with the community of Manhasset in organizing its third morale package drive for the US Army Rangers. Individuals, families, churches, businesses, schools and various local organizations throughout Manhasset and surrounding communities contributed plenty of the requested items which included snacks, toiletries, DVD’s, games, and lots of artwork and letters of support created by local students. On November 6th, LTWF held a “packing party” at Plandome Country Club and 117 packages stuffed with goodies were lovingly assembled and sent to soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan in time for Thanksgiving.

As a result of this ongoing collaborative effort, nearly 250 morale packages have been sent to the Rangers since March 2007. These morale package drives provide to the grateful citizens of Manhasset a way to show their support and appreciation to our military while honoring the memory of Jimmy, their hometown hero, in a meaningful and significant way.

LTWF plans to sponsor its fourth morale package drive in March of 2008. To support us in this project or to find out how to plan a morale package drive in your community, contact us!

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Munsey Park Women’s Club Holiday Dinner Dance

Events, Past Events, Photo's

On Saturday, December 1, 2007, the Munsey Park Women’s Club hosted its annual philanthropic dinner dance in honor of Jimmy Regan and to benefit the “Lead the Way Fund.” This well-attended holiday event drew over two hundred guests to the elegant North Hempstead County Club.

The evening was a success for the Fund, which was created in honor of Sgt. James J. Regan, a member of the U.S. Army Rangers, who was killed in action in the Iraq War, in February 2007. The amounts raised will go to aid Rangers and their families.

Manhasset residents, family and friends from near and far, including particularly, members of Jimmy’s military family of all ranks, were treated to a special night of reflection and celebration. The evening featured raffles, a sumptuous dinner and speeches by Jimmy’s father, James Regan, and by Colonel Gary Luck and General William F. Kernan (Ret.). The gala featured a live auction conducted by Munsey Park’s favorite auctioneer, Steve Corwen and dancing continued to well past midnight.

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First Annual Golf Outing

Events, Past Events, Photo's

On Thursday, Sept. 13, the Lead The Way Fund held its inaugural golf outing at Plandome Country Club in Manhasset, North Hempstead Country Club and Sands Point Golf Club in Port Washington. Picturesque blue skies and warm breezes greeted volunteers, guests and more than 260 golfers as they converged on three beautiful courses to participate in what was to be a very special and memorable day. For some, it was a day to be outside and enjoy the terrific weather. For others, it was a chance to get out with buddies for a good round of golf; and for others it was an opportunity to entertain colleagues. But for everyone, it was, first and foremost, a way to show gratitude and support to our military, in particular, the US Army Rangers.

The Lead The Way Fund was established in memory of Sgt. James Regan, a lifelong resident of Manhasset, who was killed in Iraq on Feb. 9, 2007 while serving with the US Army Rangers. Its purpose is to provide assistance to Rangers and dependents of Rangers who have died, been disabled or who are currently serving in harm’s way around the world. Jim Regan, founder and president of the Lead The Way Fund, along with his family, the Hotarek family and some close friends, organized this event with the goal of raising money and awareness of the fund. He also viewed it as a great way to gather friends, neighbors and colleagues to honor the Army Rangers, and to celebrate the life of his son.

After the tournament, the festivities continued at Plandome Country Club where more than 450 people gathered for cocktails, dinner and both silent and live auctions. Highlights of the evening included rousing and inspirational speeches by honored guests—retired Four Star General Bryan Douglas Brown who is the former commander of Special Operations Command, U.S. Government and Jim Lorraine, who is the director of the U.S. Special Operations Care Coalition. An Army Ranger video showed the elite soldiers “in action,” and auctioneer Donny Ross skillfully fueled the flames of the bidding war among the many eager participants during the live auction.

Throughout the evening there were repeated comments and discussions between attendees regarding the timeliness of such an event and its proximity to the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, which so profoundly affected the community of Manhasset. “I think it’s just really appropriate that we’re all gathered here for a cause like this the same week as September 11,” said one participant. “A lot of people in this town lost friends and loved ones that day and now the troops are over there fighting for us, so this gives us a chance to thank them and show that we understand why they’re over there.

The community’s unwavering enthusiasm and support for this cause was evident throughout the day, from the multitude of eager volunteers who assisted with every aspect of the day, to the many residents and local merchants who so generously donated supplies and gift items for auction. An emotional 10-minute standing ovation was given to the Army Rangers from Ft. Benning, GA who came to Long Island to participate in the day and to honor Sgt. Regan. In its kick-off fundraising event, the funds raised for the Lead The Way Fund surpassed everyone’s loftiest hopes and expectations. One hundred percent of the money raised will go directly toward helping U.S. Army Rangers and their families. Toward the end of the evening, Mary Regan, Jimmy Regan’s mother, summed up the all-around success of the day when she said, “It was just a perfect day from start to finish. I know Jimmy was smiling down on all of us.”

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