Field of Hope benefit

The Muscular Dystrophy Association's annual Phil Villapiano Field of Hope Gala at the South Gate Manor in Freehold signaled the start of the season raising more than $400,000 to benefit the MDA's ALS research program.

More than 500 guests attended the Sept. 29 event that helps raise awareness of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis � known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Phil Villapiano of Rumson, former Oakland Raider football player, and Vince Raine, president of Rubin & Raine, headquartered in Eatontown, co-chaired the gala, and Big Joe Henry of NJ101.5 was the master of ceremonies.

The live and silent auctions at this gala are always a star attraction and this year was no different. Items auctioned included tickets to the 2008 Superbowl and an all-inclusive trip to California's Napa Valley, featuring a private tour of some of the top wineries there.

But the real highlight, as ever, was honoring those who have ALS and those who devote their lives to curing it.

At this year's event, a group known as "Friends of Pam," contributed more than $200,000 in honor of their friend Pam Callahan, who is living with ALS.

Carol Stillwell of Holmdel, president and CEO of Stillwell-Hansen Inc., received the Lou Gehrig Humanitarian Award for her support of ALS research and her contributions to the community.

Patricia Schaeffer, managing director and nurse coordinator of Joan Dancy & PALS Inc. of Red Bank, was the recipient of the Peter Burnham Gesell Sr. Memorial Award for her support of ALS research and her contribution to the quality of life of an individual affected with ALS.

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