Seamen’s Society To Hold Annual Gala To Bring Hope To Community Through Programs Helping Children, Families

Seamen’s Society Invites Community to “Provide Hope” at Gala

Nov. 17 Gala to honor Northfield Bank, Doreen Cugno, Luanne Sorrentino, and Foster Parent Theresa Beard

New York — Seamen’s Society for Children and Families will hold its Hope Gala on Nov. 17, 2023, at Li Greci’s Staaten (697 Forest Ave., Staten Island, NY) from 7:00 p.m. – midnight. During the event, the organization will present its Safe Harbor Award to Northfield Bank and St. George Theatre co-founders Doreen Cugno and Luanne Sorrentino. The organization also will present its Joan Arnold Award to Foster Parent Theresa Beard. Entertainment at the gala will include music, dancing, casino games, and prizes.

“Hope is the lifeblood of Seamen’s Society – a force that drives our mission to transform lives and nurture our community. It’s the hope of reuniting families, educating young minds, rebuilding strength within families, and supporting domestic violence survivors on their path to healing. Ultimately, it’s the hope that one day, our services won’t be needed,” said Seamen’s Society President and CEO David W. Gaskin. “We currently serve more than 1,500 children and adults in Staten Island and Brooklyn. The Hope Gala is our biggest fundraiser.”

Seamen’s Society’s Safe Harbor Award is given to organizations and/or individuals who have significantly assisted the organization. The Joan Arnold Award is presented to foster parents who serve as role models and have gone above and beyond in supporting the children in their care. This year’s honorees are:

• Northfield Bank will receive the Safe Harbor Award. Northfield Bank has been a long-time supporter of and advocate for Seamen’s Society.
• Doreen Cugno and Luanne Sorrentino will also each receive the Safe Harbor Award. Through their leadership at St. George Theatre and in the community, they have provided countless theatrical experiences for Seamen’s Society’s children and families, in addition to collecting numerous toys for the agency’s children and for other nonprofit organizations.
• Theresa Beard will receive the Joan Arnold Award. Ms. Beard has been a foster parent for more than 30 years. In addition to providing hope to the numerous foster children for whom she cared, she adopted 15 of them.

“We look forward to honoring Northfield Bank, Ms. Cugno, Ms. Sorrentino, and Ms. Beard,” said Mr. Gaskin. “Each honoree serves as a beacon of hope and has contributed to our mission of strengthening the children and families entrusted to our care.”

Tickets, sponsorships, and journal pages for the Hope Gala can be purchased by visiting  http://www.seamenssociety.org or by calling Seamen’s Society’s Development Office at 718-447-7740 x4269.

Seamen’s Society appreciates and thanks the sponsors of the Hope Gala:

• Gold Star Sponsors: Atlantic Salt, USI Insurance, and Wells Fargo – The Private Bank
• Silver Star Sponsors: BDO
• HOPE Sponsors: Charter Linkz, East Fordham Road Real Estate
• Bronze Sponsors: APB Security/Statewide Central Station, Egger’s Ice Cream Parlor, Caroline & Joseph Ferreri, BankUnited

About Seamen’s Society: Founded in 1846, Seamen’s Society for Children and Families is a New York nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening and securing the safety and well-being of children and families entrusted to our care. The mission of Seamen’s Society for Children and Families is to provide the highest quality services in the community to strengthen and preserve families so that children and adults have the opportunity to realize their full potential. Today, on Staten Island and in Brownsville, Brooklyn, the agency accomplishes its mission by serving 1,500 children and adults through its programs and services, which include foster care, adoption, family support services, health and wellness services, health home care management services, domestic/intimate partner violence services, after-school tutoring, and college/vocational scholarships. For more information, please visit www.seamenssociety.org

Banner Image:Hope gala Graphic. Image Credit: Seamen’s Society 

Seamen's Society For Children and Families