Shark Tank Showdown on April 1. Photo courtesy of The People's Arc of Suffolk
Shark Tank Showdown on April 1. Photo courtesy of The People's Arc of Suffolk
Shark Tank Showdown on April 1. Photo courtesy of The People's Arc of Suffolk
Shark Tank Showdown on April 1. Photo courtesy of The People's Arc of Suffolk
Shark Tank Showdown on April 1. Photo courtesy of The People's Arc of Suffolk
People’s Arc of Suffolk and Rise Life Services co-hosted an April Fool’s Day “Shark Tank Showdown” fundraiser on April 1 with six of its fundraisers taking a dive into the shark tank at the Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead to raise funds for the two non-profit agencies. The event raised more than $60,000 for the two organizations.
The event was emceed by News 12 Long Island anchor Jenn Seelig and meteorologist Alex Calamia.
“People may have thought this was an April Fool’s Prank, but it’s no joke. People are going in,” said John McGuigan, CEO of People’s Arc of Suffolk. “We have 250 people that have come together to raise critical funds to support people with disabilities on Long Island and we’re so grateful.”
Divers suited up and entered a shark cage in pairs and were lowered into in the giant shark tank at the aquarium, accompanied by a dive master. Each duo spent about five minutes underwater, coming up close and personal with the sharks and other fish in the massive tank.
The dives were broadcast onto large screens throughout the aquarium for dinner-goers to watch.
People’s Arc, which provides services for intellectually and developmentally disabled Long Islanders, invited the 12 people who are fundraising for the event to create social media videos that were shot entirely by People’s Arc TV program participants. They operated the cameras, asked the questions and will edit the video for posting online.
The “Shark Tank Showdown” is a unique fundraising event where two individuals who raise the most and least funds will enter the 120,000-gallon shark tank at the Riverhead Aquarium for a face-to-face swim with sand tiger and nurse sharks, and a variety of exotic fish. This thrilling experience aims to raise awareness and support for programs benefiting children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Stony Brook Medicine (SBM) is partnering with the Suffolk Academy of Medicine to host a Galentine’s Women’s Health Fair aimed at empowering women in Suffolk County with valuable health resources and information. The free, community-focused event will take place on Wednesday, February 12 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Long Island Aquarium, 431 East Main Street in Riverhead.
“Stony Brook Medicine is proud to support the well-being of women in our community and provide them with the resources they need to thrive,” says Carol Gomes, chief executive officer of Stony Brook University Hospital. “Initiatives like this —whether aimed at prevention, education, or care—strengthen the foundation of healthier families and a healthier future.”
“We are thrilled to bring this resource to the women of our community,” said Nicole Gerberg, Executive Director of Suffolk Academy of Medicine. “Women play a pivotal role in shaping healthy families and communities, and this event is a way to give back and support their well-being.”
The fair is open to all Suffolk County residents, 16 years and older and will feature:
Educational wellness demonstrations
Talks with Stony Brook Medicine health professionals, as well as other medical institutions, including experts in breast cancer, breast imaging, radiology, massage therapy, nutrition, exercise physiology and LGBTQ* healthcare services
Sweet treats in honor of Valentine’s Day
Raffles
A cash bar
And more!
*To attend the Valentine’s Women’s Health Fair, the public must RSVP. The form can be found at this link.
About Stony Brook Medicine:
Stony Brook Medicine integrates and elevates all of Stony Brook University’s health-related initiatives: education, research and patient care. It includes five Health Sciences schools — Renaissance School of Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, School of Health Professions, School of Nursing and School of Social Welfare — as well as Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital, Stony Brook Children’s Hospital and more than 200 community-based healthcare settings throughout Suffolk County. To learn more, visit www.stonybrookmedicine.edu.
About Suffolk Academy of Medicine:
The Suffolk Academy of Medicine is dedicated to promoting the health and wellness of Suffolk County residents by providing education, resources, and community outreach.
Lily is one of Kent Animal Shelter's longest-term residents.
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.
The event will be emceed by Doug Geed.
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.
Ophelia is one of Kent Animal Shelter’s longest-term residents.
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 ofa 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 mixrescued from a meat market in Thailand, and Lily, a five-year-old terrier mix.
Kittens up for adoption at Kent Animal Shelter.
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.
Stony Brook Children’s Hospital Celebrates 10 Years with Long Island Aquarium Show. Photo from SBHU
For 40 years, Stony Brook University Hospital has been caring for kids, but 2020 holds an even more notable moment for Suffolk County’s sole children’s hospital.
The outside of Stony Brook University Children’s Hospital. Photo from SBUH
Dr. Carolyn Milana, chair of the Department of Pediatrics and physician-in-chief at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, said this year is a very special one.
The children’s hospital is celebrating its 10-year anniversary as a standalone hospital, after opening its new building last year.
“Our brand-new facility allows us to continue to provide the same expert care to the children and adolescents of Suffolk County in a state-of-the-art environment designed to promote healing,” she said. “All of the space within the children’s hospital, and the programs we offer, are designed to support both the child and their family throughout their hospital stay.”
At the new building, live feeds from the Long Island Aquarium are shown in the lobby and throughout the pediatric floors.
An inside look at the Stony Brook Children’s Hospital. Photo from SBUH
To celebrate its decade-long care, the children’s hospital teamed up with the Riverhead-based aquarium for a sea lion show virtually shown to supporters, patients and their families. On Dec. 9, viewers tuned in as the sea lion balanced balls, did tricks and posed in a delightful routine that kids and adults enjoyed.
