Presented by Aon, the 5^th Annual Healing on the Fly NYC was an evening in support of the thousands of injured and disabled veterans served each year by Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing programs across the United States.

New York City’s inspiring and unwavering patriotism for our nations ideals and those individuals who serve, and sacrifice, to defend its virtues was evident on Tuesday night, October 2, 2018, during the 5th Annual Healing on the Fly – NYC Dinner Gala.

Thanks to the incredible charity of our sponsors and the patriotic New Yorkers in attendance over $320,000 was raised, enabling us to bring our unique form of therapy to an additional 1,067 disabled veterans in the upcoming year!

This lovely annual event was co-chaired by two great PHWFF supporters and champions: Commissioner of Major League Soccer, Don Garber and Michael Bateman, Senior Vice President for Willis Towers Watson.  Thanks to their leadership, a very special evening took place in the heart of New York City.  For a over a decade PHWFF has focused on healing those who serve.  It is through the tremendous contributions of supporters and volunteers nationwide that PHWFF served over 8,400 deserving members of our Nation’s armed services in 2017.

The evening began with a cocktail hour and silent auction held in the historic surroundings of New York’s famed Metropolitan Club.  It provided friends and colleagues, old and new alike, the opportunity to socialize before the dinner and program began.

PHWFF Chairman Bob Fitch, serving as the evenings Master of Ceremonies, opened the program by warmly welcoming those assembled and acknowledging the roles of PHWFF Board Members Adam Fliss and Alex Kenney; and event co-chairs Don Garber and Michael Bateman for championing our cause and the great efforts they made to bring the assembled community together.

Event Co-Chairman Don Garber thanked the many sponsors and supporters like Presenting Sponsor Aon and Event Sponsors TPG and Kirkland & Ellis LLP who helped make the evening possible.  His remarks also touched upon patriotism and gratitude.

We were honored to have NY1 television host Pat Kiernan moderate a fire-side chat with PHWFF disabled veteran participants and leadership during dinner Gala this October 2, 2018 at The Metropolitan Club.  Joining Kiernan was Sergeant Erik Goodge, USMC (retired) and PHWFF President and CEO, Colonel Todd Desgrosseilliers, USMC (ret).  Kiernan engaged Goodge and Desgrosseilliers in a powerful discussion of their personal journeys to recovery through the PHWFF program and how this transformative program inspired them to give back to fellow veterans in their communities.

Following a lively auction and paddle raise, hosted by Clark Carr  – the patriotism of the crowd was evident.

The evening raised over $320,000 for Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing and the disabled veterans and active-duty military service personal its programs serve nationwide.  Thanks to the incredible contributions of our sponsors, this will directly aid in bringing our unique form of therapy to more injured and disabled veterans and active military than ever before. Special thanks to Presenting Sponsor Aon, Event Sponsors TPG Capital and Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Event Co-Chairs Don Garber and Michael Bateman, moderator Pat Kiernan, and all those individuals and companies whose great contributions made this such a remarkable evening.

We are committed to bringing our unique form of therapy to help heal all those who could benefit from it.  The next ‘Healing on the Fly’ Dinner will be presented by Ropes & Gray on October 23, 2018 at Seaport World Trade Center in downtown Boston.  To learn more about this upcoming event, please click here

SPECIAL THANKS

TPG Capital         Kirkland & Ellis, LLP

The Anshutz Foundation, The Kadmon Corporation LLC, The Patrick Gerschel Foundation, Clearly Gottlieb, Steen and Hamilton LLP, Don Garber, Euclid Transactional, LLC, Major League Soccer, LLC, Rich Family Foundation, Henry & Wendy Paulson, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, Greenhill & Co, Inc.

Deloitte, Greenhill & Co, Inc, Gibson Dunn, Andrew Price, Pricewaterhousecoopers LLP, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP, Anthony Precourt & The Precourt Foundation

AAFMAA Wealth Management & Trust, Bob & Robin Fitch

David & Pamela Rives, ,Robert & Jane Buke, Curt Boatman