Huntington Foundation Counts Down to Annual Gala
The Huntington Foundation for Excellence in Education’s 20th annual Reach for the Stars gala is set for Friday, January 18 at the elegant Woodlands estate on Southwoods Road in Woodbury. Proceeds from the event will fund the organization’s efforts to enhance education, the arts and athletics in the Huntington School District.
Foundation President Maria Cassar believes the January 18 gala will be a memorable evening. The affair will consist of a sumptuous pre-dinner hour, a delicious hot meal, music, dancing and dozens of raffles. Since its inception, the Foundation has funded nearly $1 million in educational grants in the district.
At this year’s gala, the Foundation will honor former PTA president and Huntington School Board member Christine Bene with the group’s Spirit Award in recognition of her exceptional volunteer efforts over the years to provide the young people of the community with a first-rate academic and co-curricular experience.
Mrs. Bene was elected in May 2008 to serve a three-year term on the Huntington School Board. She has lived in Huntington with her husband Andrew for nearly 39 years. The couple sent three children to the school district.
Prior to her election as a trustee, Mrs. Bene was a member of the district’s PTA Council for six years, serving the last two as its president. She has served on a variety of district committees and on the Lowndes Avenue Task Force. She has also participated on five different shared decision-making teams.
In addition to extensively volunteering with the district, Mrs. Bene been a longtime Family Service League board member and is active with her family’s Kimberly Bene Foundation, which provides nursing scholarships to graduating seniors.
“We are, once again, looking forward to an enjoyable event at which an individual who has done so much for the Huntington school community through the years will be recognized and honored,” Superintendent James W. Polansky said. “Congratulations and thanks go out to Chris Bene, and thank you to the HFEE organization for all that those involved have done to coordinate the event and for everything they continue to do for our students and staff!”
Over the past decade 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 and Joan Fretz.
Raffle items at the January 18 gala range from extravagant trips, autographed memorabilia, high quality goods and artwork to personal services, dinners, shows and other spectacular pieces.
The contributions of donors and local businesses and the support of individuals, combined with the unending work of Foundation members continues to allow for ground breaking educational initiatives in all seven school buildings in the district.
An invitation to the gala, donation forms and additional information can be located by visiting the Huntington Foundation’s web page at www.hufsd.edu (click on School Community, then Huntington Foundation and finally “Forms and Files”) or by contacting Laurene Napurano at (631) 988-0949 or laurenen@optonline.net. Seating for the gala is limited. Tickets are priced at $125 per person.
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).