Hundreds of Long Islanders Rappelled Over the Edge of the H. Lee Dennison Building for Charity

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y., June 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Hundreds of Long Islanders rappelled almost 200 feet down the H. Lee Dennison building on, June 11, 2011, to raise funds for several Long Island charities and a wounded Marine. "We were so pleased to partner with our local businesses to build a better community for all of our citizens," said Robert S. Budd, CEO of Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE), one of the charities of the event hosted by the National Foundation for Human Potential. FREE hopes this event will bring awareness of individuals with disabilities to new heights, and to raise needed funds for several charities, including, FREE, Child Development Center of the Hamptons (CDCH), Newsday charities, and a local wounded Marine.

"The Suffolk Police Veterans Association (SPVA) was honored to have a team representing our veteran and law enforcement communities in the Over the Edge fund-raising event," said Ken Bombace, President, SPVA and Team Captain. "This event allowed the SPVA to raise money for a local wounded Marine and other important local charities.  The SPVA would like to give a special thanks to Elliott Broidy who has personally sponsored the entire SPVA team. It is events like Over the Edge and generous Americans like Mr. Broidy that enables our nation's non-profits to maintain effective operations during these difficult economic times."

"I was humbled to see how many of my friends, co-workers and colleagues were willing to rappel down a twelve story building to raise monies for charity," said  Christopher M. Tombline, Team Captain and Executive Manager of Gutterman Funeral Homes. "The entire team of Gutterman's Angels took the challenge and raised $18,000 to help make a difference. A tornado could not have dampened our spirits as we stood in the misty weather and cheered each other on to support the work of FREE and the other charities."

The day was filled with amazing visuals and human interest stories of the people and businesses participating, including a rappel off the building by a person in a wheel chair!

The standard OSHA industrial strength equipment was used, including helmets, rope, harnesses, connectors, decenders, anchors, and guardrails.

About Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE)

FREE founded in 1977 and headquartered in Old Bethpage, benefits more than 3,000 individuals with different abilities or behavioral health needs or traumatic brain injury and their families each year on Long Island. Its mission is to help individuals of all abilities to realize their full potential and prevail over life's challenges. FREE's broad spectrum of services encourages individuals to share their gifts and talents as contributing members of the community. For more information, please call 516-870-1622 or visit www.familyres.org.

CONTACT: Patrice Radowitz,
Tel: 516-870-1621

SOURCE Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc.