November 2017 – Comedy brings people together, and sometimes helps to heal wounds. In New York City, there is one comedy event that towers above all the rest, Stand Up For Heroes!

Top comics came together at Madison Square Garden to raise money and tell a few jokes for the military men and women who serve our nation at the annual Stand Up For Heroes benefit. Stand Up For Heroes was presented by the Bob Woodruff Foundation and the New York Comedy Festival. The foundation is named for the TV News Anchor who was badly injured in Iraq in 2006.

Eleven Years ago Bob and Lee Woodruff, along with New York Comedy Festival founders Caroline Hirsch and Andrew Fox – Created Stand Up For Heroes as a tribute to our country’s service members,

Leslie Odom Jr. from Hamilton sang the National Anthem, and Rock and Roll Hall of Famers The Red Hot Chili Peppers provided the soundtrack for this year’s Stand Up For Heroes. The star studded line up features a few legends and a few new faces. One comedian in particular, John Oliver, has a very special connection with the military, there to support his wife who serves as a US Army combat medic.

Due to the efforts of Stand Up For Heroes and its partners, More than 40 Million Dollars has been raised to create long lasting positive outcomes for America’s injured veterans, service members and their families. This year, a Half Million Dollars of the proceeds will go to supports veteran organizations affected by recent disasters.

Veterans from all branches of the military service were grateful for the recognition from citizens and celebrities who donated their talents. New York will always be a city that stands up for its heroes.