Celebrating the Birth of a School

Get ready to party for a worthy cause by attending HeartShare Human Services of New York’s Spring Gala and Auction. This year’s Gala attendees will Celebrate the Birth of a School on Tuesday, March 27 at the New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square. Celebrating the Birth of a School recognizes the opening of The HeartShare School in Brooklyn that focuses on children with autism and spectrum disorders. In addition to celebrating the opening of HeartShare’s newest program, the Gala also benefits 17,000 New Yorkers served by HeartShare each year.

Attendees can expect to start the evening with a cocktail hour that will allow time to bid on a variety of items within the silent auction. Past auction items have included airfare and tickets to the Oprah Winfrey Show, an autographed basketball shoe from Miami Heat’s Shaquille O’Neal, memorabilia from New York Mets Jose Reyes, David Wright and Steve Trachsel and legendary singer Barbra Streisand. This year’s auction items include VIP Passes to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, a Golf Resort getaway, an all-terrain vehicle, and more will provide entertainment for the entire family.

Celebrate with HeartShare as it recognizes three community leaders: actress and writer Barbara Feldon will receive the Linda Dano Heart Award; Craig A. Eaton, Esq., the recipient of The Monsignor Thomas G. Hagerty Humanitarian Award, is a founding partner for Eaton & Torrenzano LLP and former chairman of Community Board #10 in Brooklyn; and The HeartShare Genie Foundation Award will honor Nino Russo of Garigiulo’s Restaurant in Coney Island. Celebrities scheduled to appear include: Oscar nominee Cathy Moriarity (Raging Bull, Soap Dish, Analyze That), actress Lora Chio (Law & Order and the upcoming film American Standard), and the Fox 5 News family Ron Coming, Nick Gregory and Vanessa Alfano.

To purchase Gala tickets and sponsorships, arrange for table packages or place ads in the Gala Journal, visit HeartShare online at www.heartshare.org or contact George Cincotta of HeartShare’s Public Affairs Department at (718) 422-3210 by March 13. To volunteer for the Gala, please contact Dennis Lemoine at (718) 422-3215 or dennis.lemoine@heartshare.org. The Gala takes place in the Broadway Ballroom of the Marriott Marquis, beginning with cocktails at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the awards ceremony at 7:00 p.m. Press wishing to cover this event should contact Tricia Fleming at (718) 422-3266.

Celebrating its 93rd year, HeartShare is a nonprofit organization that assists more than 17,000 New Yorkers. Its wide spectrum of services provides counseling, after-school programs and assistance with foster care and adoption to children and families, supports people affected by HIV/AIDS, and administers energy assistance programs. It also helps individuals with developmental disabilities through numerous programs including childhood services, adult day programs, residential services, case management, recreation programs, family support services, and health services.