Stars Sparkle at Huntington Foundation Gala
An enthusiastic crowd turned out last Friday night for the Huntington Foundation’s annual gala at The Woodlands, a former Gold Coast estate in Woodbury. The group danced, dined and participated in silent and live auctions, celebrating Superintendent John J. Finello’s long career and raising funds for innovative teaching practices and programs.
The elegant setting glowed with warmth as old friends renewed acquaintances and chatted the night away. There were several tributes to Mr. Finello, who entered the district as a kindergarten student, graduated from Huntington High School in 1968, began his teaching career at Huntington Elementary School in 1972 and became superintendent in July 2001.
Huntington Foundation President Carly Burnett and the organization’s officers beamed throughout the evening, pointing out that in an era of state aid cutbacks and budget pressures the support the group provides is more important than ever.
Mr. Finello said the Foundation’s past and present volunteers “are the ones who truly deserve to be honored tonight.” He said the organization is “the envy of all school district foundations across Long Island.”
Town Council members Mark Cuthbertson and Glenda Jackson were hand to present Mr. Finello with a special proclamation, as did State Assemblyman James Conte, who attended the affair with his wife Debbie.
The event raised about $24,000, which the Foundation intends to plow right back into district programs through two grant programs that encourage innovative teaching practices and equipment and cutting edge initiatives.
It was the Huntington Foundation’s night to sparkle. The stately mansion harkened back to another time and the attractive rooms conjured up images of a long-lost era in American history. The live auction was one of the highlights of the evening. The lively affair was presided over by professional auctioneer Jeff Klaverweiden and produced lots of fun for participants and others just trying to follow the fast paced bidding.
The district’s administrative team turned out to honor Mr. Finello and several dozen teachers were in the crowd. The dance floor was frequently filled as principals and department leaders took turns showing their moves, too.
“It is through the cooperative efforts of all of you here this evening, along with many others, that our mission – to educate all of our children – is accomplished,” Mr. Finello said. “It is my abiding belief that the contributions of each and every one of us working together; sharing, respecting and supporting one another, will continue to provide the path of success for every child in our district, regardless of their color, regardless of their race, regardless of their heritage, regardless of their ability or disability and regardless of their heritage. As long as we work together as a community, for the benefit of the community, we will be successful.”
Parent Christine Beck won the grand prize of a 42” Panasonic plasma flat screen HDTV. Live auction items included jewelry, designer sunglasses, catered dinners, cooking class, 100 gallons of oil, charter boat fishing, Ralph Lauren polo shirts, a party for 15, dinner for eight prepared by a chef, a psychic party and hors d’oeuvres for ten. There were nearly six dozen silent auction items
Parent Nancy Lundell came up with the original idea for an educational foundation in 1993. She pulled together a group of people, including fellow district parents Beverly Wayne and Elliot Levine, an attorney who performed the legal work necessary to formally create the Foundation’s corporate structure.
That small group of parents, along with several others, began meeting in the superintendent’s conference room in what was then the administrative wing at Woodhull School. It was from those meetings that the Huntington Foundation for Excellence in Education emerged, becoming a non-profit organization in 1994, with formal bylaws, a logo and a board of directors.
In addition to Mrs. Lundell, Mrs. Wayne and Mr. Levine, the original directors included Diane Kirchner, Tom Webster, Susan Agolia, Paula Schneider and Susan Jouard. The first fundraiser was held on a Sunday afternoon at the old Coco’s Water Café on New York Avenue in Halesite.
The original volunteers devoted enormous amounts of time to the organization, helping to insure its long-term success. Since 1994, the Huntington Foundation has donated nearly a $1 million to the district in grants and equipment.
“I am truly humbled by the honor the Huntington Foundation for Excellence in Education has bestowed upon me this evening,” Mr. Finello said. “As I look around the room I see so many familiar faces, each one could easily be standing here in my place, for in one way or another you have all contributed to the success of our district and the education of Huntington’s children.”
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