Adventures in Learning’s 6th Annual Wine Tasting Soiree fundraiser will be held on Friday, March 4, in the mansion of the Village Club of Sands Point. The annual fundraiser supports Adventures’ after-school academic program for children in the Spinney Hill area of Manhasset and Great Neck.
Cocktails begin at 7:30 p.m., followed by themed delicacies paired with select wines and served in tasting rooms.
Westhampton floral interior designers Debbie and Steve Boehl of Honeysuckle & Roses will once again create the ambiance with exquisite decor. Plus, attendees will be able to have their picture taken in a trendy photo booth.
Jon and Kim Kaiman of Great Neck and Laura and Paul Petras of Manhasset are this year’s honorees. “We are delighted to recognize such enthusiastic, passionate longtime supporters who have contributed so much to Adventures and the community, definitely impacting students’ lives,” said Diana Holden, Adventures’ executive director. “We are very grateful for their commitment and dedication.”
Jon Kaiman, the former supervisor of the Town of North Hempstead, has a unique bond with the Spinney Hill and Great Neck Manor communities. Under his leadership, he guided the much-needed North Hempstead Housing Authority’s Spinney Hill garden apartments’ rehabilitation. Through this process, his relationship with Adventures grew.
He will always be remembered by the AIL children and their families for his dedication and leadership during his tenure when addressing their housing and education issues. Kaiman served as town supervisor for 10 years, and prior to that, as a district court judge for several years. Recently, he served as Governor Andrew Cuomo’s storm czar, dealing with the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, and as chairman of the Nassau Interim Finance Authority (NIFA), the state-authorized control board overseeing Nassau County’s finances. He is currently a candidate to replace Congressman Steve Israel in the Third Congressional District. Kaiman is a graduate of Hofstra University and Hofstra Law School.
Kim Kaiman is a graduate of LIU Post and CUNY Law School, with a career in municipal government and the entertainment industry. She is executive director of the Town of North Hempstead Business & Tourism Development Corporation, concentrating on helping the small business community, while also cultivating the TV and film industry to shoot within the town. Kaiman has appeared on TV commercials and on television shows, and enjoys performing in local community theater productions. She recently performed in Bye Bye Birdie at Port Washington’s Landmark Theater. For 10 years, Kaiman has served on the CLASP Children’s Center Board of Directors and is a current Great Neck Student Aid Fund board member, which provides one-time grants to students-in-need to help them pay for the critical first year of higher education.
The Kaimans have resided in Great Neck for 25 years where they have raised three children, Shaun, 20; Jared, 16; and Iyana, 10.
Paul Petras is a transaction attorney with a family office in Manhasset, who focuses on commercial leasing, secured lending, general real estate law, business associations and estate planning. Previously, he practiced law in Georgia with Smith, Gambrell & Russell in Atlanta, and Thompson O’Brien in Norcross. A graduate of Manhasset High School, Colgate University, NYU Stern School of Business and Emory University School of Law, Petras continues to be active with Manhasset and Colgate alumni programs. In addition, he was president of the Tower Foundation from 2009 to 2012, and is currently alumni liaison for Tower.
Laura Petras has taught high school math for 16 years. She received a mathematical economics BA from Colgate University, an economics MA from Columbia University and a mathematical education MS from Teachers College, Columbia University. Currently, she teaches advanced mathematics at Manhasset High School, where she also serves as adviser to the National Honor Society. She previously taught at the Dwight School in Manhattan and at Yeshiva Atlanta. She has been involved with the Manhasset SCA for many years. For the past 15 years, she has served as a Junior League of Long Island volunteer as well as a Girl Scout volunteer for 11 years. She is also on the Altar Guild and the Call Committee to Select a New Pastor at Church of Our Saviour Lutheran.
The Petrases met at Colgate University and have been married for 22 years. They have four children—Elizabeth, Timothy, Katherine and Rebecca. This coming fall, their oldest son, Timothy, will attend Colgate University, and his twin, Beth, will begin at Vanderbilt.
During the soiree, Manhasset High School art teacher Michael Sansone will exhibit his AP art students’ work. “We are so excited to view their unbelievable talent and breathtaking creations,” noted Holden. “I invite the community to join us at this year’s soiree to honor the Petrases and the Kaimans, and to enjoy the Manhasset AP art students’ fascinating exhibits, as well as the annual photo booth.” The popular raffle and silent auction will also take place.
Soiree tickets are $150 per person; $100 for young adults, ages 21-30. The Kash for Kids raffle tickets are $100 each for a grand prize of $5,000. A maximum of 250 tickets will be sold. Donation items for the silent auction are being accepted.
The Digital Journal Page will be on display during the event. Donors will receive a CD copy of the journal. For further information about registration and journal ads, plus Kash for Kids Raffle tickets, contact Diana Holden at diana@adventures-in-learning.org or call 516-767-9235.
Founded 46 years ago, Adventures in Learning is an after-school education and enrichment program in the Hagedorn Community Center at the Great Neck/Manhasset EOC building at 65 High St. in Manhasset dedicated to improving the lives of children in Manhasset and Great Neck in need of after-school care and instruction.
