New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Presented by the New York Comedy Festival, the 8th Annual Stand Up for Heroes, a night of comedy and music, returned last night to a sold-out crowd at the Theater at Madison
Square Garden to raise more than $6 million in support of post-9/11 injured service members, veterans and their families through the Bob Woodruff Foundation.
Yet unlike past years, the event enlisted the aid of restaurateurs, celebrities and social media to expand awareness well beyond the Garden with the first-ever Dine Out for Heroes and Cause Flash.
"We've always been so proud of Stand Up for Heroes and know what can happen when a movement of generosity inspires thousands more to act," said Bob Woodruff, the ABC news correspondent who co-founded the Bob Woodruff Foundation after he was critically injured by a roadside bomb while reporting from Iraq. "My wife Lee and I are extremely grateful to those who have joined us in our cause to provide our heroes the resources they need."
Taking the stage last night were Louis C.K., Jim Gaffigan, John Oliver, Bruce Springsteen, Jon Stewart and Brian Williams. Gen.
Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, surprised the crowd with his rendition of "New York, New York."
This year's event surpassed expectations by besting last year. Springsteen helped raise $600,000 alone by auctioning off two guitars, an hour worth of guitar lessons, and homemade lasagna.
Beyond the recognition of nearly 100 injured service members and their caregivers who were seated in the theater's front rows, the audience was inspired by the story of Marine Capt. Derek Herrera. Paralyzed from the chest down by a bullet in 2012, while on patrol in Afghanistan, Herrera walked across the stage through the use of an exo-skeleton. The entire crowd stood on its feet during the inspirational interview.
During the show, celebrities including Conan O'Brien,
Sting and
Billy Joel urged the world to "take a #Stand4Heroes" via Facebook and Twitter—reaching 50 million so far through a Cause Flash which launched at 8 p.m.
Meanwhile, nearly 200 restaurants signed on to donate $1 for every diner served yesterday. Dine Out for Heroes was spearheaded by
Peter and Penny Glazier, founders of the Glazier Group of restaurants, which includes Michael Jordan's The Steak House NYC in Grand Central Terminal.
Stand Up for Heroes has helped the Bob Woodruff Foundation invest more than $22 million in programs across the country. With 46,000 nonprofits serving veterans in the United States, the Bob Woodruff Foundation prides itself on navigating that maze to find, find and shape innovative programs in three key areas: Education and Employment; Rehabilitation and Recovery; and Quality of Life.
"I continue to be overwhelmed by the incredible response to Stand Up for Heroes year after year," says Caroline Hirsch, founder and owner of the New York Comedy Festival and Carolines on Broadway. "When we conceived this event eight years ago, we had high hopes for raising awareness and funds for the Bob Woodruff Foundation. The outpouring of support has far exceeded our greatest expectations."
Stand Up for Heroes, brought to you by Veterans on Wall Street (VOWS), a consortium of financial firms and the Steven &
Alexandra Cohen Foundation, and supported by founding sponsor GFI Group, Inc. is one of the centerpiece events of the 11th annual New York Comedy Festival, running through Nov. 9, at venues throughout New York City. The NYCF's schedule will consist of more than 200 comedians—including --
Maria Bamford, Hannibal Buress, Dane Cook, Bill Cosby, Chris D'Elia, Bill Maher, Marc Maron, Tig Notaro, Nick Offerman, and Amy Schumer, performing in over 60 shows at iconic New York City venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Beacon Theatre, Town Hall, and the NYU Skirball Center.
This year's sponsors for Stand Up for Heroes included: Veterans on Wall Street, the Steven &
Alexandra Cohen Foundation, GFI Group, Inc., A+E Networks, Havas PR & Havas Health, Hero Miles, Jack Daniels, JetBlue, JWT, PepsiCo, Starbucks, Toyota and 21st Century FOX.
