Peace One Earth Creator Patricia Kennedy Played Host to War Veterans at Dancers' Benefit

New York, NY, October 31, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Patricia Kennedy, founder of Step Up 4 Vets and creator of the Peace One Earth Medallion, brought her two passions together on October 27th when she hosted a table of injured Iraq War veterans at the 23rd Anniversary Jubilee for Career Transition For Dancers, an organization Kennedy previously chaired. The event raised money for dancers transitioning from their careers following an injury, much like Step Up 4 Vets does for soldiers wounded in battle.

At the event, Kennedy presented a “Peace One Earth” medallion to Connie Moralez-Piper, widow of SSG Christopher Piper who was killed in action on June 16, 2005 in Afghanistan. Other veterans joining Kennedy were LTC Patrick J. Mahaney, Jr. and wife Stephanie Simone-Mahaney, SG Wilshire Mendoza, a medic from the 82nd ABN, SFC Joseph Serna and wife Rocia Serna, SSG Joseph Fields and wife Laura Jean Fields, SSG Ahmad Burse and wife Janelle Burse and SFC John Howell.

The evening highlighted show-stopping moments from Broadway musicals—old and new—including In the Heights, 42nd Street, A Chorus Line, West Side Story, Crazy For You, Pippin, The Pajama Game, Oklahoma!, Seesaw and many more. Broadway's top talents and renowned dance companies performed alongside the Jubilee Orchestra, with archival footage highlighting some of Broadway's greatest moments.

For over twenty years Patricia Kennedy has had a deep impact on the future of dance, especially in the ballet world as a great supporter of the Joffrey Ballet, and for the last decade, with Career Transitions for Dancers (CTFD) a not-for-profit organization that works one-on-one with dancers and helps identify their unique talents in preparation for developing post-dance careers. Kennedy saw another place where her philanthropic spirit could be used and early in 2008 created Step Up 4 Vets, raising money to help veterans transition into civilian life following injury.

Kennedy decided to take her passion and expertise in philanthropy and fundraising to helping the cause of Veterans, founding Step Up 4 Vets (www.stepup4vets.org), with proceeds going to assist Veterans as they transition to civilian life. As a secondary means of fundraising, this year, Kennedy unveiled the Peace One Earth Medallion at a gala in Beverly Hills, with Wayne Newton receiving the first one on behalf of his work with the USO. The public can now buy similar Medallions, which Patricia herself designed, at www.peaceoneearth.com, with proceeds going to Step Up 4 Vets.

Patricia Kennedy is known as "The First Lady of the Joffrey Ballet," having raised millions of dollars to support one of the world's great ballet companies. Patricia is credited with saving the Joffrey, having produced with Joffrey co founder and Artistic Director Gerald Arpino, along with rock icon Prince, the landmark ballet "Billboards," in 1993. "Billboards" is considered to be the most successful ballet in recent times, and featured original music by Prince.

For more information on Patricia Kennedy, Step Up 4 Vets and the Peace One Earth Medallion, please contact Bernstein Entertainment @ 310-915-0404 or email dbernsteinpr@aol.com.

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