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Annual Benefit To Support Vulnerable Children

SCO Family of Services, the Glen Cove-based human services nonprofit, will celebrate its annual benefit at Nassau Country Club on May 29 to support programs and services provided each year to more than 60,000 children, teens, adults and families at more than 110 locations throughout Long Island and New York City.

Honorees include FJC Security Services with headquarters in Floral Park, led by chairman and founder Frank J. Califano, Sr., longtime supporters Steven and Leslie Marentis of Old Brookville and SCO Board Chair Kelly L. Williams.

On Long Island, SCO’s well-known and well-regarded programs include: Madonna Heights in Dix Hills, a school and residence for young women recovering from trauma; the Robert J. McMahon residence and Tyree Learning Center in Sea Cliff for youth with developmental disabilities and Westbrook Preparatory School in Westbury, New York State’s first residential school for adolescents with Asperger’s syndrome and high-functioning autism.

In New York City, programs include homeless shelters, family counseling, adoption and foster care, employment programs, transfer high schools for youths at risk of dropping out and early education. Ninety-three cents out of every dollar donated goes directly to help people in need.

The theme of this year’s benefit is “A Derby Celebration” and will include a VIP reception, horse racing, a bourbon bar, silent and live auctions and more. For more information about how to get involved with SCO and the 2015 Annual Benefit, contact Sioban Rack at 516-671-1253 ext. 139 or visit www.sco.org.

FJC Security Services has been providing security in SCO’s New York City homeless shelters since 2005.

“The staff at FJC not only keep our residents safe, they provide a calm, welcoming presence to new families who are entering an unfamiliar place under very stressful circumstances,” said Douglas O’Dell, interim executive director of SCO.

Steven and Leslie Marentis will receive an Extraordinary Service Award. The Marentis’ have supported SCO for 16 years, participating in fundraising events and providing food and gifts for Halloween parties and Thanksgiving dinners for the children who live at SCO’s Robert J. McMahon Children’s Center in Sea Cliff. Leslie has served on the Fashion Show Committee and the Marentis family has adopted an SCO family each year, providing them with gifts during the holidays. Steven is president of Sound Refrigeration and Air Conditioning in New Hyde Park.

Another highlight of the evening will be the presentation of The Pat Brown Scholarship, named in memory of longtime supporter Pat Brown of Port Washington. The award is presented to a young person in an SCO program who has overcome obstacles to achieve academic success.

SCO Board Chair Kelly Williams will be recognized with a Leadership Award.