Second ‘Forever Young’ Fundraiser Planned in NYC

Greenport resident Crystal Anderson recently found herself in the perfect partnership.

Anderson, 27, is still raising money for the , an organization dedicated to creating a healthy and fun environment for local youth in memory of her late cousin Corey Freeman, who was killed in a car accident on Route 48 in Southold nearly a year ago.

Mike Check, a native of Greenport and friend of Corey, is an aspiring MC about to compete in the Hip Hop Unplugged Finals music industry showcase at Crash Mansion in New York City on Dec. 8.

After Crystal and Mike teamed up for the , they came up with the perfect way to raise additional money for the organization, whose first project will be to improve the Third Street basketball court in Greenport, and bring a group of locals to cheer on Check at the finals.

"Crystal hit me up about doing the concert, and I thought it was a great idea," Check said. "It was such a success, that I basically told her I wanted to get some busses up to the competition, because not too many people have been able to make it up. She announced it at the concert and we put everything together from there."

Mike is one of three finalists competing in the competition, where industry professionals will be on hand.

"Mike and I partnered up," said Crystal, "and everything has been going in so many directions."

According to Anderson, the Forever Young Foundation is sponsoring the bus trip which includes round trip transportation to the competition, dinner, dessert courtesy of Butta Cakes in Greenport, as well as admission into the competition. The cost is $35.

"I think it's wonderful," Check said. "We're putting all the profits from the trip back into the foundation. It shows that young people can help out and do their part."

Mike has been writing since he was a kid, but has been taking his art more seriously for the past five years. After putting in a 40-hour work week, most of his free time is spent working on his true passion — music.

"I've been doing lots of networking and getting my name out there," he said. "We've had some interest from a couple of labels, but I have my own production, songwriting and management teams, known as the Kinetic Music Group. So, we're gonna try and do it independently first, while still fielding offers from labels."  

As for the Forever Young Foundation's first project, Anderson expects the basketball court project to be completed by Memorial Day.