By Lauren McGrath
Hearing Health Foundation (HHF) was thrilled to join this year’s Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund Charity Day on Wednesday, September 11, 2019 in New York City.
The annual philanthropic event “turns a tragic day into one that is positive and uplifting by helping others.” On Charity Day, Cantor Fitzgerald and and its affiliates GFI Securities and BCG generously donate the day’s brokerage revenues to the participating nonprofit organizations, each of which is represented by a celebrity representative.
From left: HHF Board Vice Chair Paul Orlin, Retired Hockey Pro Mark Messier, CEO Timothy Higdon
HHF was fortunate to have local athletic favorite Mark Messier serve as its charismatic and energetic celebrity ambassador. National Hockey League Hall of Famer Messier ended his 25-year professional playing career in 2004 before taking on leadership roles with the New York City team. Sporting a NY Rangers t-shirt, Messier was a familiar and friendly face and name to the staff and clients at GFI Securities and BCG Partners, where he graciously volunteered his time on Wednesday.
Messier was accompanied by Board of Directors Vice Chair Paul Orlin and CEO Timothy Higdon, and his participation marked HHF’s seventh year of participation.
“Mark did an exceptional job engaging folks on the trading floor and over the phone. I was impressed by his positive demeanor and compassion, and I am so grateful that he could give up part of his day to make more hearing loss research possible.”
The Cantor Relief Fund was originally established to aid the families of the Cantor Fitzgerald’s 658 employees who perished in the World Trade Center attacks. The Fund has since expanded to support victims of terrorism, natural disasters, and emergencies, wounded military personnel, and other charitable causes, including HHF. Since its 2001 inception, Charity Day has raised $159 million globally.
