Fundraiser

Pictured from left, board member Richard Hamburger, Executive Director Claudia Fortunato, board member Kevin Coneys, Six Harbors owner Mark Heuwetter, and board members Peter Chase, Robert Hughes, and Toby Kissam. Photo courtesy of Lefferts Tide Mill & Preserve

The Lefferts Tide Mill & Preserve recently received a generous donation of $1,100 from Six Harbors Brewery representing a portion of the sales of the specially brewed Lefferts Tide Mill Lager sale.

The special beer was brewed by Brewery co-owner Mark Heuwetter, and introduced to the public last August at  a fundraising event at the Brewery for the Lefferts Tide Mill & Preserve. The lager was available for sale in the following months with a portion of the sale of each pint or can earmarked for the continued preservation of the mill.

“I like giving back to the history of Huntington because Six Harbors is a result of the research my wife and I did when I was just starting the Brewery,” said Heuwetter. 

“I knew the people of Huntington would be so interested in learning about the 18th century Lefferts Tide Mill that I wanted to make it known that tours of the mill are available through the Huntington Historical Society. The beer was a great way to start the conversation!” said Lefferts Tide Mill & Preserve’s Executive Director Claudia Fortunato.

If you missed a chance to get a taste of the beer, don’t worry — the fundraiser will be held again this year!  The funds raised from the Lefferts Tide Mill Lager will be dedicated to the crucial task of maintaining the mill and ensuring its doors remain open as a museum.

The Lefferts Tide Mill & Preserve is a not-for-profit organization, established in 2013, with a mission to preserve and protect an 18th century tide mill, located in the Village of Lloyd Harbor, that is the best-preserved tidal grist mill in the United States. The mill design is based on U.S. Patent No. 3 for an “automatic mill” signed by President George Washington. The mill pond has flourished into a haven for native and migratory waterfowl, contributing significantly to the region’s biodiversity.

By Julianne Mosher

Who needs a box of chocolates when you can adopt a puppy this Valentine’s Day?

Save-A-Pet Animal Shelter will be hosting its first annual Valentine’s Day Yappy Hour on Feb. 14 from 5 to 7 p.m. at its Port Jefferson Station location for a special holiday fundraiser.

According to Dori Scofield, president of Save a Pet, the Yappy Hour will feature wine, charcuterie boards and desserts inside the adoption center, which they are transforming into a romantic setting for a purr-fect night out. 

“We’ll have tables set up with candlelight and roses for the women,” she said. “It’s going to be a really fun night.”

Proceeds from the event will go towards helping dogs who need orthopedic surgeries, including Teddy, above. Photo courtesy of Dori Scofield

Just this month, the shelter, which is already home to several dozen cats and dogs up for adoption, received 30 puppies from Georgia and Puerto Rico. 

“The shelters there are just too overcrowded,” said Scofield.

Those little loves, who will be joining you for your date night roaming the room, are up for adoption and the $25 ticket price will come off the adoption fee, Scofield added.

Proceeds from the event will go to continue support for the adoption center and also help care for three special cases; dogs who need orthopedic surgeries. One dog, Teddy, who is not for adoption, was unfortunately hit by a car and thanks to his latest procedure will be at Yappy Hour sporting his new cast and overseeing the night’s schedule.

If you’re looking for a lovable cat or dog who might be a little older, all the other animals available will be adoptable, too.

Those animals come from all different situations, Scofield said. “We have strays, animals who were abandoned, left in the woods, left in the streets… abandoned, abused and neglected.”

And you won’t need Cupid to shoot an arrow through your heart to fall in love with one of them.

Save-A-Pet, 608 Route 112, Port Jefferson Station will hold a Valentine’s Day Yappy Hour on Feb. 14 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person. For reservations, visit www.saveapetusa.org. 631-473-6333.

METRO photo

It’s back! Resurrection Byzantine Catholic Church, 38 Mayflower Ave., Smithtown will hold their annual Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser in the church’s Social Hall on Sunday, Feb. 2 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $25 adults, $15 children and includes spaghetti and meatballs, salad, dessert and coffee. Cash bar. Sit down or take out. For reservations, please call  631-332-1449 by Jan. 29. 

A Concert in Gratitude. Photo courtesy of St. Vincent de Paul

On Nov. 25, the John W. Engeman Theater in Northport hosted A Concert In Gratitude, a heartwarming musical event honoring Northport music educators Dana Warren and Marie Michalopoulos while celebrating the town’s rich musical legacy.

A Concert in Gratitude. Photo courtesy of St. Vincent de Paul

Organized by the Messina Memorial Foundation, the evening brought together a vibrant mix of local bands, vocalists, and performers, spanning genres from rock to opera. Featured acts included The Warren Five & Guests, The Blast, The Little Wilson Band, The Jack Daniels Band, Tricycle, Steve & Sandy Edwards, and Natalie Seus & Steve Messina.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Long Island (SVDPLI) in their mission to provide vital assistance to individuals and families in need. “The Messina Foundation wanted to honor Northport’s musical heritage while supporting SVDPLI, which makes a significant impact in our community,” said organizer Steve Messina.

“Our Vincentian volunteers dedicate countless hours to delivering hope and help to Long Islanders in need. This event will enhance our ability to provide essential resources like housing, food, clothing, and spiritual support,” shared Thomas Abbate, CEO of SVDPLI.

SVDPLI continues to serve Long Island families with compassion, offering home visits and personalized assistance. From rent aid to utility relief and medical support, their work fosters stability and dignity across the region.

Learn more about their mission at svdpli.org.

About The Society of St. Vincent de Paul

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a Catholic lay organization that encourages people to join in spiritual growth by offering person-to-person services to the needy and suffering in the tradition to its founder, Frederic Ozanam and St. Vincent de Paul.  Help is available in any of their 68 conferences in 63 parishes and does not discriminate because of race, religion or gender.  They provide clothing, furniture and financial assistance for qualifying applicants.  They also have donation bins across Long Island and stores in Huntington Station and Garden City.  For more information about them, to become a Vincentian or to apply for aid, call 516-822-3132.

About The Messina Family Foundation

In loving memory of our parents, Philip and Phyllis Messina, we have established The Messina Memorial Foundation to carry on a legacy of generosity and community spirit. The foundation organizes one charitable event each year to honor our commitment to giving back and helping those in need. We are proud to continue our parents’ tradition of paying it forward. With your help, we are making a positive impact on the lives of others.

About Dana Warren & Marie Michalopoulos

Honorees Dana and Marie are newly retired choral teachers from Northport School District. Both can be found performing or musical directing locally from time to time and have active private studios. They would like to thank The Messina Memorial Foundation for this wonderful honor and opportunity to perform.

From left, Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio, County Executive Ed Romaine and Pam Green

On Nov. 7, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and New York State Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio presented a proclamation to Pam Green, Executive Director of Kent Animal Shelter, to recognize the tireless and unwavering dedication of Kent in saving homeless animals over the past 55 years. 

The proclamation went on to say that the shelter is a beacon of hope and a haven of healing for animals that were abused or abandoned giving them a second chance in life. It was presented at the Kent Gala that was held at the Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead attended by 285 guests. Kent Animal Shelter is currently building new facilities at its Calverton location. The building project, expected to be completed in the spring of 2025, includes a new kennel and isolation facilities.

Special Olympics Polar Plunge at Cedar Beach in Mt. Sinai in 2023. Photo by Bill Landon

Hundreds of brave Special Olympics New York supporters are expected to participate in the 15th annual Polar Plunge: Freezin’ for a Reason at Cedar Beach, 244 Hrbor Beach Road, Mount Sinai on Saturday, Nov. 23, running into the freezing waters of the Long Island Sound to raise funds and awareness for local Special Olympics athletes and programming. 

Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. and the plunge will take place at 11:30 a.m.

Hosted by the Town of Brookhaven, last year’s event attracted 650 plungers and raised $140,000 for Special Olympics New York. 

The Polar Plunge is one of the most popular, profitable, and exciting fundraisers for Special Olympics New York. Participants raise money by asking friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances for donations. 

At a recent Brookhaven Town Board Meeting, Councilwoman Jane Bonner introduced New York Special Olympics athlete Matt Schuster and Director of Development, Alexis Dawson who talked about the annual Polar Plunge and encouraged people to participate and pledge a donation. 

Councilwoman Bonner presented Schuster and Dawson with a proclamation declaring September 28 as Special Olympics Day in the Town of Brookhaven. Schuster also spoke about what it takes to compete and succeed as a Special Olympics athlete, explaining that they train for weeks and months to prepare for local, regional and statewide competition. 

Athletes are supported by more than 5,000 coaches and 4,300 volunteers and are never charged to participate in the programs. It costs $400 to support training and competition for one athlete for one sports season. They rely solely on donations to pay the cost. 

For more information, to register or to donate, please visit www.specialolympics.org. For additional information, call 631-386-8038.

The Anna Smith Strong Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution recently held a fundraiser to continue its mission to support Veteran’s programs as well as educational, scholarship and community causes. 

With an Autumn and Halloween costumed party theme, the Chapter members and friends gathered at the VFW Hall # 3054 in Setauket on Oct. 19 for an old fashion tea party. Sandwiches, sweets and treats were served throughout the afternoon as a variety of items were auctioned, door prizes were distributed, and RaZle Basket prize winners were announced. Adding to the festivities, there was a friendly, yet spirited competition to see who would be awarded Best Hat, and Best Costume.

The Anna Smith Strong Chapter is very grateful to the VFW for the use of the facility, the Girl Scout Troop # 655 for helping throughout the event, and to the many others who donated their time and talent. As a result of the event, more than $3,000 was raised to support Veteran and other programs — making the holidays a little bit brighter for many.

From left, Hossam Maksoud, Honoree; Christina Goerler, AHRC Suffolk Foundation Board Member; John McGuigan, CEO, AHRC Suffolk. Photo courtesy of AHRC Suffolk

$255k Raised for Work with Suffolk County Intellectually Disabled Community

More than 365 donors and supporters from AHRC Suffolk gathered to celebrate its annual “Candlelight Ball” at the Stonebridge Golf & Country Club located in Smithtown on October 23. The event raised $255,000 to support AHRC Suffolk programs.

“We are grateful to our supporters, including our community and business partners, to help create opportunities for the people that we support,” said John McGuigan, CEO of AHRC Suffolk.

AHRC Suffolk also honored Hossam Maksoud, CEO and Chairman of Community Care Rx, for his unwavering commitment to making a difference within the nonprofit community.

“I was truly honored to be recognized by AHRC Suffolk which does a terrific job for so many people on Long Island, especially our kids,” said Mr. Maksoud. “I was present for the opening of their new Saul & Elaine Seiff Educare Center playground remodel and at the new People’s Arc Performing Arts Center of Northport. The AHRC Suffolk team does an amazing job and needs our support. Together we can make a difference.”

About AHRC Suffolk

AHRC Suffolk is a not-for-profit organization which provides programs and services to children and adults with intellectual and other developmental disabilities on Long Island. Currently more than 2,500 people receive educational, vocational, residential and employment services through AHRC’s forty-two facilities. Follow AHRC Suffolk on Facebook, , InstagramYouTubeTikTok and LinkedIn.

Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty team members from the Syosset office proudly display some of their donations at the Island Harvest headquarters in Melville. 

Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty (DGSIR) recently wrapped up a month-long fundraiser to collect food and funds for Island Harvest Food Bank and City Harvest, two of the region’s largest hunger relief organizations. This companywide effort brought in a scale-busting 11,778 pounds of food.  

Organized by The Daniel Gale Foundation, the competition was as friendly as it was fierce, demonstrated by the line of cars, SUVs, and vans loaded with food, each making a special delivery to Island Harvest’s Melville headquarters. Every office’s haul of non-perishable food was weighed separately to determine which office earned bragging rights for bringing in the heaviest load this year. 

“This companywide effort is one of our favorite and most heartfelt major fundraisers of the year,” explained Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty CEO Deirdre O’Connell. “As a group we feel that it is our responsibility and privilege to fill the shelves at the Island Harvest and City Harvest food banks by collecting food during September’s Hunger Action Month. Every year at this time, we come together as a force in support of our less fortunate neighbors across Long Island, from Brooklyn and Queens to the Twin Forks.”

Randi Shubin Dresner, president and CEO of Island Harvest, expressed the continuing need for hunger relief organizations and the tremendous impact donations and volunteer efforts have on families experiencing food insecurity. “While Long Island is home to some of the wealthiest ZIP codes in the nation, one in ten Long Island families experience food insecurity at times. This includes some of our most vulnerable neighbors; from newborns to seniors, veterans and working families. As a community we share a responsibility to make sure that none of our neighbors go without food.”

“New York City continues to face a profound hunger crisis—particularly in the marginalized communities with one in four children experiencing food insecurity,” said Jilly Stephens, City Harvest Chief Executive Officer. “Those numbers surged during the pandemic and remain at historic highs with nearly 1.5 million New Yorkers, including more than 462,000 children, in need of assistance.” 

“For more than a century, Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty has prioritized a commitment to community service,” concluded O’Connell. “In 2022 we established The Daniel Gale Foundation as a way to wholly support many not-for-profit organizations on Long Island that provide critical services to our neighbors in need. Giving is a 365-day a year activity for us.”

Following the food drive, Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty again banded together for its annual bowl-a-thon fundraiser. This time, 165 bowlers across 4 different bowling alleys raised $19,000 to benefit the Daniel Gale Foundation.  

Donations to Island Harvest and City Harvest can be made online at Island Harvest donation  or

City Harvest donation. The Daniel Gale Foundation can be contacted here. 

 

A scene from a previous Polar Plunge at Mt. Sinai’s Cedar Beach. Bill Landon photo

Hundreds of brave Special Olympics New York supporters are expected to participate in the Polar Plunge Saturday, November 23, running into the freezing waters of the Long Island Sound to raise funds and awareness for local Special Olympics athletes and programming.

The Polar Plunge is one of the most popular, profitable, and exciting fundraisers for Special Olympics New York. Participants raise money by asking friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances for donations. Event details are as follows.

When: Saturday, November 23, 2024
            9:30 a.m. – Registration
11:30 a.m. – Polar Plunge

Where: Cedar Beach, Mount Sinai
             244 Harbor Beach Rd, Mt Sinai, NY 11766

Link: Donate or Support the Plunge Here.

For additional information, please contact Alexis Dawson at [email protected] or 631-386-8038.

About Special Olympics New York

Special Olympics New York is one of the largest state chapters in the country, serving more than 45,000 athletes across New York with year-round sports training, athletic competition, and health screenings. The organization also partners with more than 300 schools statewide to offer Unified Sports, where students with and without disabilities compete as teammates. All Special Olympics New York programs are offered at no cost to athletes, their families or caregivers. The organization has earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.com and a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, making it one of the most trusted charities in the business nationally. For additional information about Special Olympics New York, to learn more about getting involved, or to make a donation, visit www.specialolympicsNY.org.