The nonprofit Family & Children’s Association held its 2019 Fall Harvest Celebration at the Engineers Country Club in Roslyn Harbor on Nov. 21.
Friends, supporters and donors came out in large numbers for the Mineola-based organization’s annual event to help raise more than $275,000. All proceeds from the Fall Harvest Celebration will help to enhance FCA’s programs and services for Long Island’s most vulnerable children, families, seniors and communities. The event was emceed by Morey Creative Studios President Jed Morey, the former publisher of the Press.
The event included client speaker Denisse Antonio, a former FCA Project Promise and Project Independence participant, FCA Youth Advisory Council member, and recipient of the FCA Scholarship Award. She shared with the audience her struggles as a young girl and how FCA guided her to independent living and pursuing a career in social work. She received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Stony Brook and along the way interned with FCA’s Project Independence Program.
“Through my work in both YAC and Project Independence, I was able to work collaboratively with the youth in assisting them to develop their independent living skills, their strengths and to find their own voices,” she said. “At FCA I was offered this chance and I am now working on helping others to become empowered and find what I found at FCA.”
FCA honored Peter Morandi, CEO of Eastman Cooke Construction, for his philanthropy and involvement with the organization. Peter Morandi is a third generation builder of this New York City-based general contracting and construction management firm. FCA recognized his continued support of the agency’s vital programs and services, professional achievements, charitable initiatives and his generous work on Long Island.
“I can’t say enough about the work FCA does on the front lines day after day, dealing with the realities of people’s lives, working to make our communities better places for all of us to live,” Morandi said. “I truly appreciate the recognition of this award and would like to thank the staff, CEO Jeff Reynolds and the Board of Directors. Your tireless efforts in guiding this ship are nothing less than amazing.”
FCA also recognized Michael Monahan and Hope Lapsley with Humanitarian Awards. Monahan, a FCA Board Member and CohnReznick Managing Partner, received the Jim Harnett Humanitarian Award for his loyalty, leadership and commitment to FCA. This award was created to honor the work of former FCA CEO James J. Harnett who passed away in 2010. Jim was an outstanding visionary and leader who lived a life in service to others. This award honors Jim’s memory and the outstanding humanitarian efforts of its recipients.
Hope Lapsley, a FCA Board Member, received the Carol Wessel Humanitarian Award for her commitment and dedication to those in need. This award was created to honor the work of former FCA Trustee Carol Wessel who passed away in 2014. Carol was a generous and dedicated philanthropist. This award honors Carol’s memory and the exceptional charitable efforts and generosity of its recipients.
“We would like to thank everyone who came out to support our Harvest Celebration and for helping us to continue to celebrate our 135th anniversary,” said FCA President/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds. “Without the time, dedication, and generosity of our supporters FCA would not be able provide for our communities and those in need at the level that we do, from families and children to seniors. A special thank you to our Honoree and Humanitarian Award recipients, it is because of people like you that we have a 135 year legacy and look forward to the years to come as we continue to go out and make Long Island a better place for all to live.”
For more information, visit fcali.org
