Huntington Foundation Counts Down to Annual Gala
The Huntington Foundation for Excellence in Education’s 21st annual Reach for the Stars gala is set for Friday, February 7 at the elegant Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury. Proceeds from the event will fund the organization’s efforts to enhance classroom education, the arts and athletics in the Huntington School District.
Foundation President Maria Cassar believes the upcoming gala will be a most enjoyable evening for the large crowd that is expected to attend the affair. Seating for the gala is limited. The Huntington Foundation has reduced the ticket price this year to $95 per person in an effort to entice even more members of the school community to attend the event. (After January 31, tickets will be sold for $100 and there will be open seating.)
The affair will consist of a sumptuous hors d’oeuvre and cocktail hour, a delicious hot meal, dessert, unlimited refreshments, music, dancing and dozens of appealing auction and raffle items. Since its inception, the Foundation has funded more than $800,000 worth of teacher generated educational grants in the district.
HFEE will recognize Huntington High School librarian Patricia Dillon with the organization’s Spirit Award at this year’s gala. Over the past decade the Huntington Foundation has honored Christine Bene, 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.
“HFEE continues to go above and beyond in support of our students, staff and programs,” Huntington Superintendent James W. Polansky said. “Attendance at the annual gala is an excellent way for anyone to contribute to this support. In addition, attendees will possess the opportunity to participate in honoring librarian Pat Dillon for her longtime and dedicated service to Huntington students, as she receives the HFEE Spirit Award. It is sure to be a wonderful event and a great time to celebrate our school community.”
Raffle items at the February 7 gala are expected to range from extravagant trips, autographed memorabilia and high quality goods and artwork to personal services, dinners, shows and other spectacular pieces. There will also be a live auction segment with a professional auctioneer.
The contributions of donors and local businesses and the support of individuals, combined with the indefatigable work of Foundation members has continued to allow for groundbreaking educational initiatives in all eight 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. An RSVP for reserved seating must be received by January 31.
Mrs. Dillon was raised in Wantagh and attended Sacred Heart Academy in Hempstead where she was the editor of the school newspaper. She was a candy striper at Mercy Hospital and worked in a Woolworth’s store.
Following high school, Mrs. Dillon attended St. Bonaventure University where she studied English. She completed her student-teaching requirements at Alleghany High School.
At the time, there was a need for librarians in New York State, so Mrs. Dillon applied for and secured a summer internship with the state library system. She went on to C.W. Post College’s Palmer School of Library Science, was awarded a graduate assistantship and obtained a master’s degree. She later earned a second master’s at Stony Brook University in educational technology.
Prior to coming to the Huntington School District, Mrs. Dillon worked at Woodmere Academy for one year and Herricks High School for eight years. She came to the Woodhull Early Childhood Center in 1990, moved to Huntington Elementary School in 1994 and transferred to Huntington High School in 2010.
Mrs. Dillon served for 12 years on the South Huntington School Board, including eight years as that body’s vice-president. She has chaired the Huntington Teacher Center’s Board and been a member of the Huntington School District’s technology committee. She represents district librarians as the liaison to the Western Suffolk BOCES School Library System. The veteran educator is the faculty advisor for Huntington’s Class of 2015.
The Huntington 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).