The Huntington Foundation’s Reach for the Stars gala is set for Thursday, March 15 at historic OHEKA Castle. Proceeds from the event will fund the organization’s efforts to enhance education, the arts and athletics in the Huntington School District.
Huntington Foundation President Alice Marie Rorke said this year’s gala will be a memorable evening. The affair will consist of sumptuous appetizers during the cocktail hour, a delicious hot meal, music, dancing and dozens of raffles. Since its inception, the Foundation has funded more than $1 million in educational grants in the district.
Seating for the gala is limited. Tickets are priced at $150 per person. Last winter’s gala was sold-out. Contact Gala Chairperson Kimberley Steinberg at ksteinberg14@hotmail.com for more information.
Interested in spending the night at OHEKA and extending your “castle” experience? The Huntington Foundation has negotiated a special rate of $150 per room, double occupancy for the night of the gala. It’s an impressive bargain considering such a room typically goes for more than $400 per night.
An invitation to the gala, response card, sponsorship flyer and additional information can be found on the Huntington Foundation’s web page at www.hufsd.edu (go to Main Navigation on the top left and then click on HFEE under the School Community section) or by visiting the Huntington Foundation’s website at www.huntingtonfoundation.org.
Numerous levels of sponsorships for the gala are available and all come with tickets to the affair and other perks. Contact Amy Girimonti at AJG1015@optonline.com for more information.
Tickets can be purchased through PayPal directly from the Huntington Foundation’s website. Sponsorships and tickets to the grand prize car raffle can also be secured via the website at www.huntingtonfoundation.org.
“Our 25th anniversary year was the driving inspiration for the theme of this year’s gala,” Mrs. Rorke said. “We decided to incorporate the silver anniversary throughout our planning, and reach back 25 years to invite all past board members, volunteers and past honorees. We want it to be a most memorable event for our very deserving honorees as well as attendees. It’s going to be quite a celebration. Every detail is being pored over and brought to an entirely new level this year. The aesthetic, the entertainment and the prizes are sure to excite our guests.”
This year’s grand prize raffle is a two year lease for a 2018 Toyota RAV 4 LE, which has been generously donated by Toyota of Huntington or $5,000 in cash. The vehicle is presented in sky metallic, which commemorates the Huntington Foundation’s 25th silver anniversary in style. For more information about the grand prize or for general information about the Huntington Foundation, contact Mrs. Rorke at alicemarierorke@aol.com
During the March 15 gala the Huntington Foundation will honor Woodhull Intermediate School Assistant Principal Jarrett Stein and Main Street Nursery owners Rich and Robert McKean with the group’s Spirit Award in recognition of their outstanding service to the community.
Over the past 15 years the Huntington Foundation has presented its Spirit Award to Michelle Marino, Barbara Cutrone, John J. Finello, Doris Quintilian, Vicki Mingin, Beverly Wayne, Lou Giani, the district’s nursing staff, Eunice Marchi, Joan Fretz, Christine Bene, Patricia Dillon, Cathy Cain, Christopher Mitchell, Andrew Fiorillo, Brian Reynolds, James Graber and Michael Brown.
Raffles and live auction items at the gala are expected to be “exciting, extravagant, spectacular and most coveted,” Mrs. Rorke said. “They will certainly rally the crowd.”
The contributions of donors and local businesses and the support of individuals, combined with the tireless work of Huntington Foundation members continues to allow for ground breaking educational initiatives in all eight school buildings in the district.
The Foundation is a not-for-profit organization. Its annual report may be obtained upon request from the Foundation (P.O. Box 552, Huntington, NY 11743) or from the Office of the Attorney General, Charities Bureau (120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271).
