Huntington UFSD Superintendent James W. Polansky and Huntington High School alum Dr. James Paci will be the guests of honor at the Huntington Foundation for Excellence in Education’s Reach for the Stars gala on Wednesday, May 4 at The Water’s Edge in Centerport.
The Huntington Foundation’s annual fundraising party is returning after a COVID-19 related hiatus. Tickets for the gala are on sale now and can be purchased by clicking on this link: BUY TICKETS HERE
“We are thrilled to be back in action, planning our Reach for the Stars gala and celebrating two exceptional leaders in the Huntington community,” new Huntington Foundation President Jennifer Stevens said. “We couldn’t ask for a more ideal fundraising opportunity; two widely respected honorees, an exquisite new location on the North Shore of Long Island and a group of passionate board members and volunteers who are building on HFEE’s legacy and ushering in a new chapter for our organization as we approach our 30th year of supporting Huntington schools. This will be an extraordinary event.”
The Huntington Foundation has funded over $1.1 million in educator grants in Huntington UFSD since its founding in 1993. HFEE grants have ranged from state-of-the-art technology for Huntington’s robotics programs and other STEM programs, to support for cutting edge teaching techniques and classroom equipment such as Alpha Better desks and equipment for arts and music programs, including a trailer to transport the marching band’s instruments and equipment to competitions across the state.
The May 4 gala will run from 6-10 p.m. Mr. Polansky and Dr. Paci will be presented with Huntington Foundation Spirit Awards and both will speak.
“I’m extremely proud of the impact we’ve had on the Huntington schools over the years and couldn’t have done it without the dedication and stewardship of our board members including Debbie Knowles, Kris Colleluori, Amy Girimonti, Laura Cheshire, Jen Hebert, Michele Sabatino and Toniann Mangan, many of whom, like me, have graduating seniors this year or in Debbie’s case, have children who have already graduated,” former Huntington Foundation president and board member emeritus Alice Marie Rorke said. “The gala plays a significant role in our ability to fund our teacher grants and support our educators in their quest to enhance curriculum and inspire their students’ enthusiasm for learning. I’m excited to see how the new board will advance HFEE’s vision.”
Despite the past two challenging years of the pandemic, the Huntington Foundation was still able to award over $30,000 in grants to the district to help fund a video broadcasting program at the High School; a computer prototyping lab at Finley; flexible seating for the Woodhull fifth grade dual language program; heart health programs at Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School; an innovative rhythm-based whole brain learning program at Flower Hill and more.
HFEE was also able to present a $2,500 scholarship to 2021 graduating senior Bliden Martinez, who is studying to become a history teacher at Suffolk Community College.
The Huntington Foundation’s request for grant proposal period will be open in the fall of 2022. Applications will be reviewed and granted in early 2023. Further details on the process will be shared in September 2022.
Interested in learning more about the Huntington Foundation or feeling generous enough to donate to the cause? Visit the HFEE website.
