Kathy Roth-Douquet is chairman of the Board of Blue Star Families as well as being its founder and President.  She is an advocate for military families as well as a noted author, having enjoyed much success with her book AWOL, The Unexcused Absence of America’s Upper Classes from Military Service and How It Hurts the Country (with Frank Schaeffer, HarperCollins) which Sen. John McCain said was “a great service” to America.  In Leatherneck magazine, she was termed a “spokesperson for military families.”  On the board with Roth-Douquet as Director of Washington DC BSF, is Connie Milstein.

CURE works tirelessly to find cures for epilepsy and to raise money for research and medical options.  To this end, they are always coming up with new and creative fundraising ideas.  This month, on September 21, 2010, they will have a golf tournament at the Wentworth Hills Gold Club in Plainville, Massachusetts.

Certainly, board members of CURE like Connie Milstein work tirelessly to promote the causes and goals of CURE.  This type of fundraising event allows participants to enjoy the day, potentially win door prizes, and support a very worthy cause.

At the National Symphony of Orchestra, there is a great opportunity to bring culture to your children.  With the range of NSO Family concerts, you can find enjoyment for the entire family.  For example, scheduling for 2010-11 includes the Teddy Bear Concert Tunes ‘n’ Tales; the Family Concert: Spooky Sounds and Scary Tales (preparing the whole family for Halloween); Teddy Bear Concert: Fancy That (teaching the younger members of your family how to decorate music in the form of ornamentation and variations); Ensemble Concert: Connections: MORE Science and Music (endangered species and their connection to a music class, for the slightly older child).  All this and more is scheduled for later this year and next year.

Connie Milstein is about to embark on a new building project, the Washington, D.C. branch of the New York University study-abroad program.  Ms. Milstein is directing $10 million to construct the 12-story, 75,000-square-foot center, which will join 11 other extensions of NYU which are located throughout the world.

The Washington, D.C. campus will offer a one semester study-abroad program in which students will be able to learn journalism, political science and American history just steps away from the White House, in one of the most powerful governmental cities  in the world.

Groundbreaking is due to commence in September, 2010 with the first students arriving at the campus for spring semester in 2012. Students will arrive to find a building with dormitories on the upper floors, suitable for 125 students. The rest of the building will house lecture halls and seminar rooms. Located within the walls of the new building will also be the offices of Government and Community Affairs and the Brademas Center for the Study of Congress.

Connie Milstein explains her special interest in this project:

“I used to think New York was the capital of the world, but being in D.C. will give these students a totally different view of the United States and its position in the world.  It’s an important place to teach students how the government works and the history of the U.S., not to mention opportunities for internships, which will allow them to understand the political system and get exposure to a much larger global network.”

New York University is the latest recipient of the largesse of Connie Milstein and her philanthropic activities.  Ms. Milstein is embarking on a $10 million project to expand the NYU campus to Washington D.C. by building an extension there.

The 12-story building will be the 12th additional campus for NYU which houses their extensive study-abroad program. The Washington campus will join the other satellite campuses which are located in internationally important cities such as London, Shanghai, and Tel Aviv. The Washington, D.C. program will be offering a one semester study-abroad program in journalism, political science and American history. Internships will also be offered in various government offices and non-governmental organizations.

The new building will be located on  northwest L Street, just a few blocks from the White House. Ground-breaking for the new structure is scheduled to commence in September, 2010.

For the best in dining pleasure, few restaurants compare to Plume, at the Jefferson Hotel in Washington, D.C.  Award-winning chef Damon Gordon invites guests to enjoy his outstanding culinary creations, either by sitting in a cozy nook or a table by the lovely fireplace.

Chef Damon was trained in Michelin kitchens in the U.K. and under the watchful eye of Alain Ducasse in New York City.  Plume boasts a hand-painted mural of Monticello’s south vineyard on one wall, evoking the feel of Thomas Jefferson’s enjoyment of fine wines.  With Jefferson’s background in mind, Plume includes a wine cellar with over 1200 labels, spanning a dozen nationalities and going back as far as 1780.

While dining at Plume, you’ll also be able to enjoy the newly renovated look of the Jefferson Hotel, renovated by Ogden CAP Properties with Principal and Co-Founder Connie Milstein.

CURE is constantly working to raise awareness about epilepsy and to raise money for more research and cures.  They have a number of upcoming events, intended to raise awareness and funds, and are always working tirelessly with their board members, including Connie Milstein, to develop more ideas and events.

A few of the upcoming events for this summer and beyond include: the Gordon Research Conference from August 8-13, 2010 at Colby College; the Golf Tournament Benefiting CURE on August 23, 2010 at the Wentworth Hills Golf Club in Plainville, MA; the 6^th Annual Drive for CURE on August 26, 2010 at the ThunderHawk Golf Club in Beach Park, IL; and the 3^rd Annual CURE New York City Benefit with special guest New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg on October 14, 2010 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City.

CURE drew an amazing sold-out crowd at the Chicago Field Museum for their annual benefit on April.  More than 800 guests were in attendance with guest speaker Katie Couric, Chair Susan Axelrod and others to raise money for cutting-edge epilepsy research.

They were also joined together to celebrate a fantastic year for CURE, which raised record-breaking fundraising dollars for CURE’s research programs.  Certainly board members such as Connie Milstein, LeeAnn Brigido, Gardiner Lapham, Jeanne H. Donalty and others help to make these successes possible.

As Susamn Axelrod said, “Never before has epilepsy received attention of this magnitude. We know this has and will continue to make a huge difference for epilepsy patients and their families.”

Couric, as the keynote speaker, added her insights and experiences as a disease advocate, for the work that she has done for colon cancer awareness and research.  She commended the work that CURE has done to raise awareness and research dollars.

Connie Milstein’s parents, Seymour and Vivian, established the Seymour and Vivian Milstein Award (more commonly known as the Milstein Award) over 20 years ago. This year will mark the 22nd ceremony of its kind and will present an award for “scientific achievement in interferon and cykotine research.” Interferons and cykotines take part in all the body’s biological workings and can advance certain diseases like hepatitis, influenza, cancers, autoimmune disorders like multiple sclerosis and lupus. Interferons are so crucial that they have been referred to as “evolution’s first and perhaps most important invention for the survival of animals.” The reason research in this area is so vital is that  over 50% of all communicable diseases that affect humans are caused by viruses. Interferons should help one’s immune system “detect and thwart foreign invaders such as viruses,” which makes it all the more important that we “continue to probe the nature of interferon and other cykotines and [establish] how they are integral to a healthy immune system.” That is why the Milstein Award is so important to help the world find cures for such terribly, oft-fatal, diseases.

Many organizations use an incredible amount of creativity and thought to touch the lives of those in need. The Medical Missions for Children, founded with the help of Connie Milstein and many others, is one such organization. Their Giggles theater performs in a hospital in New Jersey three times a week to bring laughter and entertainment to sick children. Learn more about their amazing mission here.