This is the News

June 5, 2010

Grown-ups gathered on Saturday, June 5, for the Marbles Superheroes Ball. The gala, benefiting the Imagination Fund at Marbles Kids Museum and emceed by John Forslund, play-by-play announcer for the Carolina Hurricanes, celebrates two local superheroes for their contributions to kids in our community. The inaugural Superheroes for Kids are Laura Aiken, Director of Advocates for Health in Action, and Danny Rosin, President and co-founder of Band Together.

Laura Aiken is recognized as a Superhero for Kids for her work as the Director of Advocates for Health in Action, a collaborative of over 50 organizations and community members working to increase access to healthful food and physical activity to combat childhood obesity in Wake County.

As President and co-founder of Band Together, a 100% volunteer organization that raises funds and awareness for local charities through live concert events, Danny Rosin has helped to donate more than $1 million dollars since its founding in 2001.

In addition to recognizing the inspiring work of Laura and Danny, more than 250 guests – many dressed as superheroes – enjoy a seated dinner, muscle up to bid in the live auction featuring high-end items, and dance to live music by Canady Thomas and Brickhouse. And super stunts and surprises abound by Air Born Aierial Arts.

All proceeds from the gala ticket sales, live auction and raffle benefit the Imagination Fund at Marbles Kids Museum, where the power of play is shaping tomorrow’s dreamers, innovators, artists and achievers.

Sponsors include Mix 101.5 WRAL-FM, Rocky Top Catering and Johnson Lexus.
 
About Laura Aiken
Creating healthy, active children has been a passion of Laura Aiken's for as long as she can remember. When she was 13 years old, she began volunteering with her dad as a softball coach for the City of Raleigh, and she continued coaching the same team until the birth of her first daughter 16 years later.  Today, she continues her love of coaching through her daughter's many sports and activities.
 
Upon graduating from Appalachian State University, Laura began her career at WakeMed Health & Hospitals where she had the opportunity to create a fitness and nutrition program for children who struggled with their weight or did not excel in competitive sports. This program was embraced by children and their families alike. To this day, Laura hears from parents and participants of the program who completely changed their attitudes about being physically active because of the program. Recently, she learned one of her former participants is beginning a career as a dancer.
 
Today, Laura is the Director of Advocates for Health in Action, a collaborative of over 50 organizations and community members working to increase access to healthful food and physical activity to combat childhood obesity in Wake County. The work of AHA reaches thousands of children and families across the county through policy and environmental change. Laura also serves as the Co-Chair of North Carolina Action for Healthy Kids, the NC Prevention Partners School Health Connection Advisory Board, and as an advisor to the St. Mary Magdalene School Wellness Committee. Most importantly, Laura and her husband Ben are parents to two active little girls, Sydney and Kelcey.

About Danny Rosin
Danny Rosin has committed his life to social entrepreneurship. He is President and co-founder of Band Together, a 100% volunteer organization that raises funds and awareness for local charities through live concert events. Band Together concert events have benefited such local organizations as Boys and Girls Clubs of Wake County, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle, SAFEchild and the Lucy Daniels Center for Early Childhood. Just recently, Band Together’s all-volunteer group proudly donated its millionth dollar to charity.

Prior to founding Band Together in 2001, Danny was involved in Operation Smile International where he helped raise more than $100,000 and co-founded and organized six high school and two collegiate student groups. In 2008, Rosin co-founded the Penn Watkinson Invitational Soccer Tournament to benefit Rainbow Soccer scholarships for kids.

Danny is also the CEO of Brand Fuel, a full-service promotional products agency that helps its clients elevate their brands. Brand Fuel has won numerous awards including Best Places to Work, Best Industry Website, Best Industry Showroom and several Best National Marketing awards. Brand Fuel is consecutively listed in the Top 100 Promotional Agencies (out of 22,000), and is also recognized in the top 2% of the industry in revenues.

Danny is married to Niccole Rosin and they have two daughters, Brooke and Tyler, who are being raised to be part of the next generation of social entrepreneurs.

About Marbles Kids Museum
Marbles Kids Museum is a hands-on, minds-on museum that inspires imagination, discovery and learning through extraordinary adventures and larger-than-life IMAX® experiences. Located in downtown Raleigh, Marbles offers dozens of creatively themed exhibits, daily programs and activities, field trips, camps, birthday parties, giant screen IMAX films and special events. Exhibits are designed for children under 10 and their families. For more information, visit www.marbleskidsmuseum.org.


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