The Parent Resource Center’s Staff and Board Members are riding high following a auccessful Kentucky Derby-themed fundraising gala on Friday, April 24. Over 150 people attended this year’s event at the picturesque Manhasset Bay Yacht Club (MBYC). Guests arrived dressed in Derby attire to a paparazzi-style welcome with professional photos by JLynn Photography. Bluegrass band East Bound Freight entertained partygoers while they drank mint juleps, mingled, and participated in silent auctions, raffles, “Pull Tree” prizes, and horse sweeps. Best hat and best bow tie winners Erin Orr and Michael Kowalczuk walked away with coveted Chanel and Ferragamo sunglasses.
Guests were transported to a beautiful southern evening styled by Stephanie Alongi and Elizabeth Mudge (the momtrepreneurs behind Silly Fish Parties). MBYC Food & Beverage Coordinator Alisa Jankowitz worked with the PRC to offer a menu of fabulous southern fare, including shrimp and grits, fried green tomato BLTs, Kentucky Bourbon-marinated short rib sliders, southern corn pudding, and chocolate bourbon pecan pie.
PRC Board President Danielle Goodsell Nicodemou said, “This year’s event outperformed our expectations and was one of our most profitable events in recent years. We couldn’t be happier with the outcome and have received great feedback. We are excited to have provided an opportunity to bring the community together in such a fun way.”
Triple Crown Sponsors North Shore LIJ Medical Group/Cohen’s Children’s Medical Center and The Optimum Community made generous donations. Optimum captured the event and featured a segment on its signature community show, Neighborhood Journal, on channels 18 and 118. The PRC is grateful to the many local businesses that supported the evening with silent auction and raffle donations, including Wit & Whim, which donated all of its April proceeds to the PRC’s renovation fund.
All proceeds from this year’s event will go towards a massive facilities renovation, which has not taken place in over 20 years, that will modernize the space by creating new stimulating classrooms, open play areas, and a parents’ lounge with WiFi and coffee. Thanks to the Derby party profits and recent grants of $10,000 each from The Mertz Foundation and The Peter and Jeri Dejana Family Foundation, renovations are planned to commence in August.
The PRC’s honorees of the evening were Abigail Chromy, a past influential PRC Board member, who also created the Yahoo group “portwparents,” on which more than 1,000 community members are active, and “Miss Janet” Colon, an enthusiastic and beloved PRC teacher of art, music, movement and exploration for five years who currently works at the Port Washington Children’s Center.
For more information about the PRC, contact director@parentresource,org or call 516-767-3808.
