A WIN-WIN: BLIND BENEFIT FROM ANNUAL GENE MICHAEL GOLF CLASSIC Brooklake Country Club, Florham Park August 26, 2013

“Blindness isn’t necessarily a handicap; it’s more of an inconvenience.” That is the trademark comment of Ed Lucas, blinded at age 12 in a baseball accident. Despite his lost sight, Lucas went on to a career as an accomplished Yankee broadcaster and motivational speaker. His Foundation sponsors the Annual Golf Classic August 26, 2013 that will be held this year on Monday at the beautiful Brooklake Country Club, Florham Park. Namesake to the Golf Classic is Yankee mainstay Gene “The Stick” Michael, who has been associated over 6 decades with the Yankee team as player, coach, scout, manager and general manager– and now as a senior vice president and senior adviser.

The golf day is comprised of a day on the course, followed by cocktails, dinner and an auction. Chaired by trucking magnate Gene Michael Mortorano, the auction boasts many first rate items running the gamut from sports memorabilia to artwork. “You should see some of the items we get for auction” says Mortorano with an ear-to-ear grin.  “This here on my wall is an original map of the famous Entebbe Airport high jacking rescue raid by the Israeli forces in Uganda.  This baby was used by commandos on the plane on the way in and it came from our auction.”

The Ed Lucas Foundation supports independent living and is inspired by Mr. Lucas, who in turn inspires his audiences by demonstrating that with faith in yourself, and a determination to reach your goals, any obstacle large or small can be overcome.  Mortorano says “People like Ed make a monumental difference in the lives of both local blind/visually impaired students and in the lives of people everywhere–sighted or not.” The Foundation gives worldwide benefit with programs they share with the rest of the globe.  

The New Jersey community is served by the Foundation goal to make each handicapped person self-sufficient. During the current academic year, Seton Hall University benefitted from a donation to make study there easier for sight impaired students. Lucas seeks increased donations to do more good work with other great people and organizations.

Non golfers can purchase tickets for the cocktail hour and dinner and auction. Direct donations can be made online anytime at the Foundation’s website at www.edlucasfoundation.com. Ed Lucas says, “Golfing with Gene Michael and his friends can be great fun, but it is at the cocktail party and dinner that we buttonhole the celebrities and rub elbows, get our photo taken and so on.” The food at the Club is reputed to be among the best.  

Mortorano says “the win-win is in enjoyment of a great day on a beautiful course, while supporting a spectacular organization that helps real people with real needs. We are so lucky to have our sight; I couldn’t imagine a life without it.”

The Press is invited and encouraged to attend this event with photographers.

For photos, interviews or more information contact Ed Lucas or Mike Mortorano at their telephone numbers and email addresses above.

For more details on Ed Lucas Foundation, kindly visit: http://www.edlucasfoundation.com