This year’s Ladies Holiday Luncheon at the Metropolitan Club outdid itself. Lori Bahnik brought a smile to everyone’s face as she brought firefighters who posed for the annual FDNY 2013 calendar. It was a double benefit event.
…And the women just loved it. They lined up to buy calendars for themselves and for gifts and had the firefighters sign them. A great many friends of the women at the luncheon are going to really love the holiday presents their receive, especially if they are the calendars.
Ms. Bahnik told the back story of having the firefighters come to the luncheon. She said a friend of hers has a son who is a firefighter and she suggested the firemen come with their calendars to sell to benefit the FDNY Foundation. It was a great fit for the party.
On a more serious note, Ms. Bahnik told a story of just what the Boys & Girls Club of Oyster Bay-East Norwich does to help children. She said Executive Director Gail Canovan told her of a family in great need that was referred to them by the OB-EN School District. “We work very closely with them,” Lori said. They were alerted to three young children who were not doing well in school. To help the children they arranged to have them join their before and after school programs.
Ms. Bahnik explained, “Children are dropped off at 7 a.m. and are given breakfast. From there they are bused to school. They come back to the BGC after school for homework help and fun and are picked up from 6 to 7 p.m.”
The club decided to give them a scholarship by paying 90 percent of the cost for the three children. The mother couldn’t afford to contribute her 10 percent and so the staff funded the remaining 10 percent so the children could attend. When conditions worsened for the little family, the club arranged for clothing and school supplies for the children.
“This is why you are all here helping to raise money to assist families like these. Thank you,” said Ms. Bahnik. She also offered the ladies the opportunity to pick a “snowman” off their tree with a wish list inside and become that family’s Santa. For more information please call 922-9285.
