Laurel Lake Vineyards on the North Fork of Long Island is hosting a silent auction Saturday night benefiting the nonprofit International Surgical Mission Support (ISMS), which provides free medical care to the poor worldwide.
The American Fundraising Foundation will be sponsoring the highly coveted travel component of the silent auction, which will include bidding on exciting trips and experiences to castles of Ireland, Italy’s gorgeous Amalfi Coast, and an adventure in Argentina. The evening under the stars also features live music, gourmet fare, local wine and beverages.
“Important work remains which this nonprofit must do,” said Christina Viola, the foundation’s vice president for development. “I anticipate strong generosity again for this weekend’s event.”
ISMS launched in 1996 through the work of three friends who felt fortunate enough to be able to provide free medical care to the poor all over the world. ISMS’s philosophy is aiming at reducing the overhead cost associated with large charities by providing volunteers with the chance to be part owner of the organization.
Volunteers are grouped together in chapters based on their areas of expertise and/or geographic locations. Chapters, once mature, are free to make decisions on types, places and timing of their missions. Each chapter is represented in the organization board.
The Southampton-based New York team is the oldest in the nonprofit. It includes Dr. Medhat Allam, Dr. Ravi Kothuru, and Robert Mineo, CRNA, whose maiden mission was to Haiti 20 years ago.
Laurel Lake Vineyards is located at 3165 Main Rd. in Laurel. The event is scheduled for 6:30-10:30 p.m. Sept. 16. Tickets are $75 per person. For more information, email Dr. Vito Alamia at valamia@hamptons.com, or call 631-287-6202.
