Fifth Annual Tuck's Celebrity Billiards Tournament Entertains Guests, Raises Funds For Tuck's R.U.S.H. for Literacy, Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund

NEW YORK, June 4, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Thursday, May 30, New York Giants All-Pro defensive end Justin Tuck hosted the fifth annual Tuck's Celebrity Billiards Tournament Presented by RXR Realty LLC, a leading New York Tri-State real estate operating company, at Slate NYC. A perennial event in the New York philanthropic scene, this year's billiards competition raised over $460,000, bringing Tuck's R.U.S.H. for Literacy past the $2 million raised mark since the charity's founding in 2008.

In addition to the charity's Sack Challenge and various donations, this event helps Lauran and Justin Tuck further their mission to educate and empower underserved children by providing books and other reading materials to middle schools in New York, New Jersey and Alabama. Focused on combating summer learning loss, the program has donated over 55,000 books to nearly 10,000 students, and has awarded over $200,000 in grants since inception. Anthony Anderson, renowned actor and committed advocate of Tuck's R.U.S.H. for Literacy, once again served as the master of ceremonies, while DJ Mad Linx kept a high-spirited atmosphere from the DJ booth. Attendees of this year's event also helped support the United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund, as $25,000 of the net proceeds will be donated to schools affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Several big name celebrities and athletes came out to support Tuck including Eric Alexander (NY Red Bulls), Anthony Anderson (Actor), Kevin Boothe (NY Giants), Steve Brown (NY Giants), James Cantelupe (Former NFL player), Craig "Speedy" Claxton (NBA Legend), Victor Cruz (NY Giants), Godfrey Danchimah, Jr. (Comedian), Zak DeOssie (NY Giants), Jared Fogle (Subway), Vivica Fox (Actor), Rudy Gay (Toronto Raptors), Ryan Grant (NFL player), Melissa Joan Hart (Actor), Tyler Hollinger (Actor), Dhani Jones (Spike TV personality), Jason Kidd (NY Knicks),  Jeanette "Black Widow" Lee (Professional pool player), Eric LeGrand (Subway Personality), Lane Lindell (Model), DJ Mad Linx (DJ, TV, and radio host), Leila Lopes (Model, Miss Universe 2012), Ronnie Lott (NFL Legend), Eli Manning (NY Giants), Jill Martin (TV personality), Dax McCarty (NY Red Bulls), Ryan Meara (NY Red Bulls), Ryan Mundy (NY Giants), Curtis Painter (NY Giants), Dan Patrick (Radio and TV Personality), Spencer Paysinger (NY Giants), Heath Pearce (NY Red Bulls), Justin Pugh (NY Giants), Dolvett Quince (Biggest Loser), Vin Rock (Rapper, Naughty By Nature), Antrel Rolle (NY Giants), Aaron Ross (NY Giants), Jasmine Sanders (Model), Tyler Sash (NY Giants), Steve Schirripa (Actor), John Schriffen (TV Personality), Chris Snee (NY Giants), John Starks (NBA Legend), Tika Sumpter (Actor/Model), Terrell Thomas (NY Giants), Adrian Tracy (NY Giants), Osi Umenyiora (Atlanta Falcons), Buddy Valastro (TLC's Cake Boss), Corey Webster (NY Giants), David Wilson (NY Giants), Deron Williams (Brooklyn Nets), James Wirt (Actor).

In recognition of the charity's fifth successful year, fans have the opportunity to bid on a Charitybuzz Tuck's R.U.S.H. for Literacy Package through June 6, 2013. The package includes tickets to five summer concerts like Paul McCartney at Barclays Center on June 10, the SOLD OUT Bruno Mars Show on June 29 in Brooklyn and Beyoncé's "The Mrs. Carter Show" tour. Additionally in the package will be a custom-made Schutt helmet donning the famous "Tuck facemask." Fans can bid on the special package at http://charitybuzz.s3.amazonaws.com/emails/rushforliteracy_blast_060313.html                   

For the fifth consecutive year, Jeannette "The Black Widow" Lee wowed the crowd with trick shots and played against celebrities and attendees, while Anthony Anderson and DJ Mad Linx entertained the room. Guests of the event were served Ciroc cocktails and passed hors d'oeuvres, along with Subway sandwiches and treats from iSkream, Pelzer's Pretzels, and cookies by Katie Rosenhouse. A designated wives area hosted Oasis Day Spa and gift cards from Drybar. Guests also received a gift bag full of great items from Coca-Cola, FlyWheel Sports, Kenneth Cole, the NFL, Peanut Butter & Company, Pelle Pelle, Pretzel Crisps, Snack Factory, Subway, Terra Chips, and UNREAL Candy.

Terra Chips representatives Dominic and Pat Conte won the 2013 tournament becoming the newest Tuck's Celebrity Billiards champions.

The winners' Grand Prize Package included a three night stay for two at Four Seasons Jackson Hole, a three night stay for two at the Four Seasons Punta Mita, a private tour of the Glass House with Director Henry Urbach, two sets of four box seats to a New York Red Bulls game, four wine classes for two at the Corkbuzz Wine Studio, two premium bottles of alcohol from Diageo, two $250 gift cards to Del Frisco's, a variety of Bose headphones, two $500 Nike gift cards, and additional gifts.

Tuck's Celebrity Billiards Tournament is supported by many dedicated companies and individuals who also believe in the Tucks' passion for literacy. Sponsors for this year's event included presenting sponsor RXR Realty, Diageo, Dream Hotel, FLM Reprographics, Hot 97 - Emmis Communications, Morgan Stanley, NetApp, the NFL, O'Sullivan's Children's Foundation, Pelle Pelle, Subway, Terra Chips, Travel Artistry, Umberto's and WFAN.

Please find photos from the event via Getty Images here: http://www.wireimage.com/search/#events?q=justin%20tuck/[167901520]&ep=1/60/1&s=3

For B-roll footage please email: [email protected].

About Justin Tuck and Tuck's R.U.S.H. for Literacy
Drafted by the New York Giants in 2005, Justin Tuck is a two-time NFL Pro Bowl and two-time Super Bowl Champion. The All-Pro defensive captain recorded his best performance during Super Bowl XLVI, and his defensive dominance helped lead the Giants to victory over the New England Patriots in their second Super Bowl Appearance in five years. Tuck's R.U.S.H. for Literacy, a program founded by Lauran and Justin Tuck in 2008, encourages children to READ, UNDERSTAND, SUCCEED, and HOPE as they continue to nurture literacy in their lives. The initiative is committed to raising funds to donate books and other reading materials to enrich youth in New York, New Jersey and Alabama. In 2013, the Celebrity Billiards Tournament raised $460,000, pushing Tuck's R.U.S.H. for Literacy to the $2 million raised mark. For more information, please visit www.rushforliteracy.org.

About RXR Realty
RXR Realty LLC ("RXR") is a vertically integrated, private real estate company with expertise in investment management, property management, development, design, construction, leasing and financing.  RXR's core growth strategy is focused on New York City and the surrounding tri-state area markets.  RXR Realty is one of the largest owners, managers, and developers in the Tri-State Area with interests in approximately $5.5 billion of assets encompassing 107 operating properties and 17.9 million square feet. 

SOURCE Tuck's R.U.S.H. for Literacy