That’s Jon and Stacy Zauderer of Roslyn joined by their family members (left to right): Ethan, Justin, Dani Nicole, Alyssa, and Alex. The Zauderer’s were recognized as the “Model Family of the Year” for Life’s WORC/FCA. Their son, Matthew, receives care from Life’s WORC. (Photo by Ed Shin)
The Garden City Hotel grand ballroom was packed as many contributors from communities throughout Long Island and as far away as Manhattan supported the Life’s WORC/Family Center For Autism Annual Gala on Nov. 7.
Launched by Victoria Schneps-Yunis, president of Schneps Media, the parent company of the Long Island Press, with help from broadcast journalist icon Geraldo Rivera, this community provides a variety of services to some 2,500 people with developmental disabilities and autism through a staff of about 1,000 employees.
William E. “Bill” Brown, Chief Retail Officer of Investors Bank, was recognized as the 2019 Corporate Honoree. The Zauderer Family of Roslyn was recognized as the 2019 Model Family. Rick Del Mastro, recently retiring after many years as the Life’s WORC/FCA Board Chairman, was presented with the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award.
Upon receiving their awards, each of the honored guests spoke with a passion about the importance and meaning of this organization in their lives.
Investors Bank was out in full force with their team, supporting the Corporate Honoree, Bill Brown, the Chief Retail Officer. (Photo by Ed Shin)Jason Brett Wasserman, age ten, a student at East Hills Elementary School, Roslyn, who attends The Family Center For Autism, performs “America The Beautiful” on the keyboard for the audience, accompanied by his music teacher Lee Stockner. (Photo by Ed Shin)Investor Bank’s Bill Brown (second from left) gets the honored guest treatment from his Investors Bank colleague Michael Billia (left), Vice Chairman of the Board for Life’s WORC/FCA, WABC-TV-Channel 7 Weather Anchor Jeff Smith, Life’s WORC/FCA Board Chairperson Lynne Koufakis of Manhasset, and Life’s WORC/FCA Executive Director Janet Koch (right). (Photo by Ed Shin)Life’s WORC/FCA Executive Director Janet Koch welcomes Board member Anthony Taormina, Jr., and his wife, Sabrina of St. James. (Photo by Ed Shin)Life’s WORC/FCA Board member Ed O’Donnell and his wife, Anne, of Melville, hit the dance floor. (Photo by Ed Shin)That’s recently retired Life’s WORC/FCA Board Chairman Rick Del Mastro of Amagansett expressing his gratitude for the outpouring of support by the gala’s patrons where about $250,000 was raised. Rick Del Mastro was honored for his Lifetime Achievement. (Photo by Ed Shin)Samantha Sohmer of Roslyn Heights with her son, Blake, age 13. (Photo by Ed Shin)The Corporate Honoree Bill Brown gets honored by his children, Mia and Tommy, and his wife, Lorena. They are joined by WABC-TV-Channel 7 Weather Anchor Jeff Smith (second from right). (Photo by Ed Shin)
