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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
$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, , Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and LinkedIn.
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.
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.
Huntington Town Councilman Salvatore Ferro has announced the collaboration between his office and Town Director of Minority Affairs Kevin Thorbourne for the third annual Supermarket Food Drive.
This community-driven event will take place for Harborfields, Huntington, and John Glenn high schools on Sunday, October 27 from noon to 4 p.m. and for Northport on Sunday, November 10 from noon to 4 and will bring together local high school football teams to raise hunger awareness and support local food pantries.
The Supermarket Food Drive will feature a friendly competition among several football teams from high schools across the Town of Huntington.
These teams will be collecting non-perishable food items outside the following locations:
Councilman Ferro emphasized the significance of the different football teams coming together to give back to the community, stating, “The Supermarket Food Drive embodies the strength of our community spirit. I’m proud of our local high school football teams for their commitment to supporting those in need within our community. This event showcases the unity and compassion that define our town.”
Residents are encouraged to join Councilman Ferro, Director Thorbourne, and the high school football participants on Sunday, October 27, for Harborfields, John Glenn, and Huntington Football Teams and on Sunday, November 10 for the Northport Football Team to donate non-perishable food items and help make a positive impact on the lives of those facing food insecurity in Huntington. For more information, call 631-351-3175.
By Tara Mae
The Furever Home Gala is going to the dogs! On Thursday, Nov. 7, from 6 to 9 p.m., Kent Animal Shelter will host a fundraiser at the Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead to raise money for its new facility in Calverton.
Attendees will have access to different areas of the aquarium and be ensconced in the vibrant vista of wall-to-wall fish tanks as they partake in an evening that offers dinner, drinks, and entertainment.
Creator, producer, and former host of News 12 Long Island’s “The East End Show,” Doug Geed, will emcee the event. The now retired, 10 time Emmy Award winning anchor/reporter first became involved with Kent when he and his family adopted Jessie, a pitbull mix, from the shelter in 1996.
“As a reporter, you do so many terrible stories, having to interview people who went through tragedies. I like being involved with good people united for a good cause and feeling the positive energy in the room while rallying around an important cause,” said Geed in a recent interview.
Featuring well outfitted special guests (the aquarium’s African penguins will make an appearance before they go to bed) the festivities should satiate the senses. An open buffet will have seafood, meat, and chicken dishes as well as vegan and gluten-free options with complementary wine and beer provided by Atlantis Banquets and Events. Local folk-rock band Phoenix Rising will perform. A plethora of raffle prizes will be available, and an auction will boast a variety of entertainment and experience opportunities to bid on.
Proceeds from the gala will go towards the shelter’s $4.5 million in-progress project to demolish its existing dog kennel structure in order to rebuild and upgrade its complex; $2,250,000.00 has already been raised.
“This will be a really fun night. It is kind of an end goal of what we have been trying to do for 20+ years: build a new shelter,” said Kent Animal Shelter Executive Director Pamela Green.
“We finally came up with a plan that everyone is happy with and we are moving forward. It will be a beautiful new state-of-the-art kennel: 32 runs; heating and air conditioning; play yards; and a quarantine for new dogs while they get vet care before they go into the general population,” she added.
To aid this effort, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine secured a county grant for Kent, which also received two New York State grants. In memory of a beloved Long Island Equine and Large Animal Veterinarian Dr. John Andresen, national animal welfare organization Maddie’s Fund will match donations up to $200,000, not limited to money garnered at the gala.
“If people have a few dollars to could spare … I know there are a million tremendous charities out there, I know money is tight for everybody, but a few dollars will make a difference,” Geed said.
As it continues fundraising and awaits construction of the new facilityk, Kent’s commitment to its charges remains unchanged. The organization is temporarily housing its rescue dogs at Bideawee in Westhampton, including its longest-term residents: Ophelia, an eight-year-old shepherd mix rescued from a meat market in Thailand, and Lily, a five-year-old terrier mix.
They, along with approximately 13 compatriots, are adoptable from the temporary shelter. About 30 adoptable cats remain on the Calverton property, which additionally has Snowball’s Place, a feline retirement home for cats who have outlived their humans.
Established in 1968, several thousand animals have come through Kent on their way to their forever homes. On average, approximately 650 animals are adopted from the shelter each year, though this year has had fewer adoptions since the Westhampton accommodations are more limited.
In addition to its adoption operations, Kent has a low-cost clinic. Since 1974, more than 200,000 animals have been spayed or neutered there. Maddie’s Fund recently awarded Kent the Dr. John Andresen Wellness Grant to give assistance to pet owners who need their animals spayed, neutered, and/or vaccinated.
At its very core, Kent Animal Shelter exists to both protect and improve the lives of creatures who cannot advocate for themselves. This gala is in service to that mission. Any money collected for the cause gets Kent that much closer to its goal and enables more animals, a number of whom come from out of state or even another country, to be helped by the shelter.
“This is a huge celebration of this building project that we have been trying to and are finally able to do,” Green said. “The new facility will be a healthier, more comfortable environment for the animals.”
Tickets to the gala are $150 per person. To purchase, visit https://kentanimalshelterfureverhome.eventbrite.com. For more information, call 631-727-5731.
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