Huntington Foundation Gala to Honor Barbara Cutrone
The Huntington Foundation will honor Barbara Cutrone, a longtime Huntington School District volunteer, with the group's 2011 Spirit Award at a benefit gala set for Friday, January 21 from 6:30 – 11:30 p.m. at the Woodlands estate in Woodbury. Tickets are on sale now for $125.
Mrs. Cutrone and her husband, Frank, moved to Huntington in 1985. Their children, Sam (22 years old), Jamie (20) and Jack (17) have all been educated in the district. She started volunteering in the district 16 years ago, mainly with PTA's and has served on various PTA boards as president, vice-president or historian for more than a decade.
Over the years, Mrs. Cutrone has chaired many PTA committees and coordinated many events, including ten book fairs. She has also coached softball for St. Patrick's and taught religion classes at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church.
Five years ago Mrs. Cutrone approached Georgia McCarthy, Huntington's district director of physical education, health and interscholastic athletics, about rejuvenating and jump-starting the moribund Booster Club. "We got the old books and did some research and decided we had to start from scratch," she recalled. "We started with no money and so far have donated over $120,000. That first year we had two summer camps. Last summer we had nine camps. I do all the administrative and prep work and the coaches run them."
The summer camp program services hundreds of youngsters each year. The club also developed a grant program utilized by coaches to obtain items not covered through regular budget appropriations, renovated weight training and aerobic fitness rooms at the high school, presented sportsmanship scholarships, offered food and refreshments for sale at athletic events, organized an annual golf outing and dinner, hosted March Madness receptions and countless other initiatives, including the Devils' Den, which provide equipment to those who cannot afford to purchase the items.
The Huntington Foundation's "Reach for the Stars" benefit gala will feature an extravagant cocktail hour and dinner, dancing and silent and live auctions. Vegetarian dinners will be provided to those requesting them in advance. Seating is limited.
Monies raised from the evening will support the Foundation's activities, including the Reach for the Stars grant program that funds teacher innovations. Tickets can be secured by sending a check payable to the Huntington Foundation for Excellence in Education to P.O. Box 552, Huntington, NY 11743.
The Huntington Foundation is seeking items for an auction to be held in conjunction with the dinner. Donations of products, personal services and gift certificates will all be gratefully accepted. Contact Karen Dwyer for more information at (631) 421-4037.
A commemorative journal is also planned. The ad placement deadline is this week. For advertising inquiries contact Janice Kimchy at 516-797-6688 or performprint@optonline.net.