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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OVER $200,000 RAISED FOR SHAKE-A-LEG DURING THE
2006 WALL STREET CORPORATE CHALLENGE CUP
 NEWPORT, R.I. (July 10, 2006) – This past weekend, teams of corporate executives traded their business suits and briefcases for life jackets and sailing gear to raise over $200,000 for Shake-A-Leg-Newport during the Wall Street Corporate Challenge Cup. Hosted at the Newport Shipyard July 7-8, the 15th annual regatta drew executives from the financial and legal world for two unforgettable days of racing aboard the legendary America’s Cup 12 Meter yachts. Proceeds – each of the teams raised $30,000 to participate in the regatta – will support Shake-A-Leg’s varied programs for people with spinal cord injuries and nervous system dysfunction. Team MELLON FINANCIAL CORPORATION (Boston, Mass.) won the six-race series with PROSKAUER ROSE (New York, N.Y.) in second-place and PARKER/VECTRIX, a partnership of Parker Hannifin (Cleveland, Ohio) and Vectrix, Inc. (Newport, R.I.), in third.
Team Mellon Financial Products accepts the first-place award in the 2006 Wall Street Corporate Challenge. (From Left to Right) Robie Pierce, Shake-A-Leg, Rick Pedone, Adrienne Beck, Kate Dempster, Matt Johnson of Shake A Leg, Thomas Rajotte, Justin Scott, Paul Callahan, Shake-A-Leg, Jennifer Packer and Shawn Dockham. Not pictured from the winning team are John Cone, Dave Stone, Larry Israel, Sarah Martin, Maura Neal, Dave Hutchinson, Rob Harkins, Jacky Janko, Jenn Roy and Kristen Gaspar.
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“We were a little surprised that we won, but it’s awesome,” said Justin Scott of Mellon Financial Corporation. “After Saturday’s races we felt more in synch today. Everyone was working together; the boat ran smoother. We had a fast boat, Freedom, and that really helped us to win.
Shake-A-Leg is the whole reason we’re here. It feels good to win, but it’s more about them.”
In addition to the 10 Mellon executives onboard the winning 12 Meter, which also carried its four-person professional crew, Matt Johnson (Sacramento, Calif.) from Shake-A-Leg’s Adult Life program joined in for both days of racing. “It was great to sail with these guys,” said Johnson. “This was my first time on a sailboat and I really enjoyed it.”
Rounding out the finishers were LATHAM & WATKINS (New York, N.Y.) in fourth; KBC FINANCIAL PRODUCTS (New York, N.Y.) in fifth; MBIA (Armonk, N.Y.) in sixth; WACHOVIA CAPITAL MARKETS (Charlotte, N.C.) in seventh; DEBEVOISE & PLIMPTON (New York, N.Y.) in eighth; and BEAR STEARNS (New York, N.Y.) in ninth-place.
“Everyone at Shake-A-Leg is ecstatic that Mellon won,” said Paul Callahan, Shake-A-Leg’s Chief Executive Officer. “Everyone at Mellon Financial Corporation, especially Ronald P. O'Hanley, has been so generous with their support over the years. We thank them for helping us make this event happen and for coming back year after year.”
 On Friday night, after the first day of racing, Shake-A-Leg held its annual gala at the Hyatt Regency-Newport for 200 friends and supporters who were treated to a summary video of the day’s racing narrated by Tucker Thompson of T2P.TV. Paul Callahan introduced the debut of a documentary on Shake-A-Leg’s Adult Life Program produced by Emmy Award winner Tom Guilmette of Franklin Crossing Productions.
The post-racing social and awards ceremony on Saturday was held at the Newport Shipyard.
Additional sponsors of the 2006 Wall Street Corporate Challenge were Salve Regina University, McLaughlin & Moran, Newport Shipyard and other local businesses and individuals.
About Shake-A-Leg
Shake-A-Leg is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization, the mission of which is to assist its participants to become all they can be in education, work place and quality-of-life pursuits. Shake-A-Leg utilizes Salve Regina University and Fort Adams State Park facilities for its adult and teen rehabilitation services, as well as the Confidence is Cool Camp for youngsters.
Shake-A-Leg’s internationally recognized adaptive sailing program is located at Fort Adams and provides recreational, instructional and competitive sailing opportunities for those who wish to build confidence.
For more information, contact Shake-A-Leg-Newport at P.O. Box 1264, Newport, R.I., 401-849-8898 (phone), 401-848-9072 (fax). Results will be available at www.shakealeg.org or www.wsccc.org and daily highlight video will be available on demand on www.T2P.TV.
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