Duane Reade's Dreiling receives Javits achievement award

NEW YORK Duane Reade chairman, president and chief executive officer Rick Dreiling was awarded Wednesday evening the 2007 Jacob K. Javits Lifetime Achievement Award at the 13th Annual Lou Gehrig Sports Awards benefit held here.

Dreiling received the award in recognition of his efforts in helping to raise funds and awareness for The ALS Association Greater New York Chapter to support their commitment to finding a cure. Earlier this year, Duane Reade raised more than $157,000 in its “Strike Out ALS” campaign by encouraging customers to buy $1 paper baseballs at its store locations.

All of the funds raised from the campaign were donated to The ALS Association’s Greater New York Chapter. Just after accepting his award, Dreiling presented the check (as pictured) to the ALS Association’s Greater New York Chapter.

Each year, the ALSA honors those who have made significant contributions in support of their fight against ALS by presenting them with the Jacob K. Javits Lifetime Achievement Award. Previous recipients have included Leonard and Claire Tow, Alan Griffith, Jeremy Schaap and Michael Goldstein.

Dreiling said the company was inspired and saw a need to raise money for the cause after learning that one of its employees had a family member suffering from the debilitating disease.

Also during the event, tennis legend Chris Evert and former Yankee Joe Girardi were honored as the 2007 winners of the Lou Gehrig Sports Awards.

In addition, a posthumous Lou Gehrig Sports Award was given in memory of Jackie Robinson. Robinson’s daughter, Sharon, accepted the award on his behalf.

ESPN’s Jeremy Schaap served as Master of Ceremonies for the benefit. Sportscaster Bob Costas and former New York Yankee David Cone also served as presenters.

Proceeds from the event will go to The ALS Association Greater New York Chapter. In the last fiscal year, the chapter raised $3.4 million to help find a cure for Lou Gehrig’s disease, improve the lives of those with ALS and advocate issues of importance to the ALS community.