Oct. 15, 2009

PHOTO GALLERY - October 14, 2009

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - On Wednesday, Oct. 14, A Rae of Hope hosted "Dining to Donate" at Applebee's in Poughkeepsie from 4-9 p.m. The five-hour benefit raised an estimated $650 to be donated to Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City in the name of Marist junior volleyball player Raeanna Gutkowski (Long Valley, N.J.).

The outpour of support from the local community as well as the Marist community brought the waiting time to be seated to over one hour at times. Those in attendance with the required voucher donated 10% of their check - excluding tax and tip - to Sloan-Kettering in the name of Gutkowski.

Gutkowski, a junior outside-hitter on the Marist volleyball team, is currently battling osteosarcoma, a cancerous disease. She receives treatment regularly at Sloan-Kettering.

A Rae of Hope: Dining to Donate at Applebee's Restaurant was the first of three events designed to raise awareness of osteosarcoma and donations for Sloan-Kettering and Gutkowski.

An information session will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at the Marist College Cabaret to increase awareness of osteosarcoma, and explain ways to cope with the disease. The final event will be the Marist volleyball match against Iona on Sunday, Nov. 1, at 2 p.m. in the McCann Center. Admission is free, donations will be accepted and prizes will be raffled off.

For more information on A Rae of Hope, please e-mail RaeOfHope12@gmail.com