The Central Nassau Guidance & Counseling Services Basket of Hope Gala 2025 honored mental health advocates.
Ed Shin
Central Nassau Guidance & Counseling Services held their 2nd annual Basket of Hope gala at the Stonebridge Links & Country Club. The group honored the lives lost to mental health and substance use issues while supporting those facing similar challenges.
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Guests had a great time at the Central Nassau Guidance & Counseling Services Basket of Hope Gala.Ed Shin
The Basket of Hope gala comes at a time of increased funding risk at the federal level, which is impacting New York state and local nonprofits.
Former NY Governor David Paterson shaking hands with Jeffrey Friedman, CEO of Central Nassau Guidance & Counseling Services
Lisa La Macchia honoring her brother, Shaun La Macchia, at the Central Nassau Guidance & Counseling Services’s 2025 Basket of Hope gala
Kayla Miata, director of case management for the Central Nassau Guidance & Counseling Services
More than 200 leaders from Long Island area businesses, civic organizations and behavioral health providers, as well as public officials, including former governor David Paterson, gathered for the Basket of Hope Gala.
Basket of Hope gala honoree, Miss 2025 Long Island Kristen Rosario, a mental health and suicide prevention advocate
The McDonough Family — Joanne Robert, Christian and Jillian.
Jean Bentley, CFO of Central Nassau Guidance & Counseling Services, with her husband, Hugh Bentley
Attendees honored achievements in mental health and substance use treatment and prevention, heard inspirational words and donated the largest amount raised in the agency’s history.
2025 Basket of Hope gala honoree Robert ‘Toby’ McDonough, treasurer of IATSE Local One
Miss 2025 Long Island Kristen Rosario with her parents, Ruben Rosario and Cindy Rosario
DuWayne Gregory, board member and councilman for the Town of Babylon
Honorees included Kristen Rosario, Miss Long Island 2025, who is a mental health and suicide prevention advocate; Tracey Edwards, chief social responsibility officer for the Las Vegas Sands Corporation; and Robert “Toby” McDonough, treasurer of IATSE Local One.
Mary Silberstein, senior director of external affairs for Central Nassau Guidance & Counseling Services, Michael Scheid, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Jeffrey Friedman
Noreen Diaz with her husband, Martin Diaz
Tracey Edwards, chief social responsibility officer for the Las Vegas Sands Corporation
These individuals were recognized for their work in the community supporting Central Nassau Guidance & Counseling Services’ behavioral health mission.
