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PAULIE
PAUL “PAULIE” VENETO is a dynamic speaker who simultaneously educates and entertains audiences of every type. Whether speaking before schools, treatment centers, or even a local D.A.R.E. summer program, listeners report walking away inspired by Paulie’s passion every time.
Paulie has appeared on The Drew Barrymore Show and Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien, as well as locally as the first-ever guest on WBZ CBS Boston’s brand-new morning show ‘The Morning Mix.’ He’s been featured by Sky News Australia, Brut America, Scripps Networks, and many, many other news and media companies. In December 2022 Paulie was honored with the ‘Hero in Travel’ award at The Points Guy Awards in New York.
WATCH THE VIDEO
Paulie’s story clearly resonates with all who hear it, as evidenced by the number of videos featuring the Push that have gone viral. Among them:
“9/11 Tribute: Brut America” TikTok Video - Over 4 Million Views & 40,000 Shares
“Former Flight Attendant Honors Co-Workers Killed on 9/11: NowThis!” Instagram Post - Nearly 500,000 Views
Paulie is especially proud that earlier this year “Flight Attendant’s 9/11 Mission”, a NBC News 4 New York story by Marc Santia and Michael DelGiudice on his Push to Ground Zero, was the recipient of an Emmy Award.
TOPIC: ‘THE FIRST, FIRST RESPONDERS’
When Paulie set out to honor his fallen United Flight 175 colleagues his original plan was to push an airline beverage cart from Boston Logan International Airport to Ground Zero in the hopes of raising awareness of the roles they played that day.
“I knew, in the enormity of it all, that they’d likely be forgotten. There were so many heroes that day, and in the days that followed. But these people were the first - the first to respond, battling terrorists in the sky in hand-to-hand combat. They deserved to be recognized. I wanted the families to hear it said: they were heroes.”
Paulie first planned to push the cart solo. Then Stephen Lynch and Dennis Morrisey, two lifelong friends from high school, signed on to drive the support vehicle. Before he knew it, Paulie’s friend NHL star Kevin Stevens and his sister Kelly, and Kevin’s organization Power Forward, had joined the effort - he had a whole team behind him. "It was unbelievable!”
Local media soon picked up the story of a former flight attendant pushing a beverage cart 220 miles to honor his fallen colleagues. This was followed by national media, and soon enough the story of Paulie’s Push was being covered internationally, as far away as Australia. Paulie found himself being approached by well-wishers on the street, many with stories to share about how 9/11 affected them personally. What was at first a simple one-man effort to raise awareness of the heroism of the flight crews of 9-11-01 had become a worldwide movement.
“All throughout the Push, people kept coming up to me, asking what was next after we reached Ground Zero,” Veneto remembers. “I realized two things: this movement shouldn’t be limited to one day a year, and we had to do something to keep the momentum going…”
Hear stories from Paulie’s Push to Ground Zero, Push to the Pentagon, Push for Flight 93, and Push for American 11. Book Paulie to speak - email press@pauliespush.com.
TOPIC: ‘DON’T QUIT FIVE MINUTES BEFORE THE MIRACLE’
Paulie began to envision an effort to memorialize his fellow crew members just days after 9/11 - but it would take nearly two decades for everything to come together. The delay was due in part to an opioid addiction Paulie would battle in the years following the terrorist attacks - itself the result of pain pills prescribed for a work-related injury, but one Paulie would later realize he fell into with ease because the pills were numbing the emotional pain he was feeling, as well.
“I didn’t plan for the story of my recovery to become such a big part of all of this,” Veneto says, “but I am open about sharing it - if you can aid others in their recovery, you do - and I was stunned by how many people who came out to meet me on the Push route wanted to walk with me and share how opioids have affected their lives. I met former pilots, first responders, and others whose lives were affected by 9/11, and addiction was the result. There’s not a segment of society that this hasn’t touched.”
Paulie, who celebrated ten years of sobriety on September 11 this year, credits his desire to honor his coworkers as a major part of the motivation to keep going. “I tell people, ‘Don’t quit five minutes before the miracle!’ There were times that I almost gave up, but with each interview I do on the road, and each person I meet, I can’t help but look at what I would have missed out on if I had - I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish all of this!”
Paulie’s personal story is one of perseverance and triumph. Book him to speak - email press@pauliespush.com.
Book Paulie today: press@pauliespush.com
THE REVIEWS ARE IN…
“Paulie's experience and sharing of it is a searing reminder of the power of connection and "being the change you wish to see in the world." Paulie's story is an emotional one but filled with the hope that with grit and determination, one can overcome any barriers in his/her path. I would highly recommend Paulie as a presenter; he's highly engaging and relational. He leaves his audience with a lot to consider as we move forward collectively.”
Matt Kindberg - Secondary Principal, Southwestern Central School
SPEAKING FAQ’S
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Paulie would speak free-of-charge to every school in the country if he could. Unfortunately, the expenses eventually start to add up. Donation requests for speaking engagements typically cover the expenses of the speech itself, with any remaining applied toward future Pushes, community events, and other costs.
For speaking engagements in the greater Boston and New England area, those hosting (or sponsoring) typically make a donation starting at $500. (For speeches further away requiring travel, donations begin at $1,000; in addition, travel and lodging costs must be reimbursed).
For more specific details about your location and speaker requirements, lease complete the form on our website or contact press@pauliespush.com.
CAN I SPONSOR A SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT?
Absolutely! Companies or individuals interested in sponsoring a speech at an area school or organization are welcome - for details, please complete the form on our website or contact press@pauliespush.com.
WHAT IF WE CAN’T AFFORD TO PAY?
For organizations without a budget for speakers and who are unable to find a sponsor, Paulie takes requests under consideration. He loves to speak to audiences, and appreciates any opportunity to share the story of the heroism of the ‘first, first responders’ and of Paulie’s Push. To be added to the wait list, please complete the form on our website or contact press@pauliespush.com.
ARE DONATIONS TAX DEDUCTIBLE?
Paulie’s Push, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization registered in the state of Massachusetts, and donations are tax deductible.
WHAT IS THE MONEY USED FOR?
Expenses cover the speaking engagement itself; any remaining funds are put towards Paulie’s Push expenses throughout the year - things like RV insurance, storage, maintenance, and fuel… costs related to event and parade appearances… costs related to any Push or exhibition Push events… housing/feeding crew if/when that is required… website hosting and similar expenses.
When possible, Paulie’s Push itself makes donations to 9/11 flight crew family member charities and scholarships.
WHAT DOES PAULIE SPEAK ABOUT?
Paulie is a dynamic speaker who simultaneously educates and entertains audiences of every type. He often speaks about Paulie’s Push itself, tailoring the content to the level of audience - he’s spoken before elementary schools, high schools, colleges, senior centers, and community centers, among others.
Paulie also speaks about his own journey to recovery, in situations where it’s requested and/or appropriate.
DOES PAULIE BRING THE CART?
When possible, Paulie does bring the cart - and, sometimes, all five carts. This usually requires that the RV be available for the speech. The costs of shipping the cart are generally cost prohibitive for events further away than driving distance.
DOES PAULIE REQUIRE A/V ASSISTANCE?
Paulie generally plays one or two videos as an introduction at the beginning of the speech. To discuss specific A/V requirements for your location, please complete the form on our website or contact press@pauliespush.com.
Book Paulie to Speak at Your School!
Do you represent a school or camp? Email us or complete the form below, and a member of Team Paulie will respond.