Riverhead, NY Hollywood stars joined 700 Long Island and Greater New York area construction, real estate, finance, and architecture business leaders and professionals to raise funds for Contractors For Kids (CFK), one of the largest building industry-supported, children-focused charities in the northeast. The 13th Annual Contractors For Kids Gala took place at the Atlantis Long Island Aquarium & Exhibition Center in Riverhead. One hundred percent of the proceeds benefitted CFK.
CFK co-founder Kevin Harney, principal of Stalco Construction, said, “I would like to thank all guests – the celebrities, business leaders, and building industry professionals – for their incredible generosity that allowed us to raise nearly $200,000 during this year’s gala. Their contributions will help CFK financially assist families of children in need of surgeries, long-term medical care, therapy, and everyday expenses.”
This year’s rock ‘n’ roll and pop music-themed “Rollin’ Thru the Decades with CFK” dinner-dance reception included appearances and photo and signature opportunities by actors Robert Palmer Watkins and Hayley Erin from General Hospital, the longest-running American soap opera in production. The event also included photo opportunities with Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Cher, Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jackson, and John Travolta impersonators, a casino with gaming tables, a dance floor, and a music and sports memorabilia auction.
“I am incredibly grateful for the continuing support of the Long Island construction, finance, and real estate professionals for the work of Contractors For Kids. Thanks to their generosity, CFK has to date raised approximately $3 million and has assisted more than 500 local families,” said Steven C. DeLuca, CFK President and Vice President and Market Manager of People’s United Bank.
The following organizations sponsored the event: Stalco Construction, Patriot Organization, Prager Metis, USI Insurance Services, RFG Electrical Contracting, JNS Heating Service, the Dunne family, Forchelli Deegan Terrana, Tebbens Steel, and Custom Commercial Construction. CFK executive director Deborah O’Rourke, president of the event planner Eventide Group, organized the fundraiser.
Established in 2005 by business partners and owners of Stalco Construction, Harney and Alan Nahmias, the all-volunteer CFK has attracted enthusiastic support from over 300 real estate firms, financial companies, builders, architects, engineers, and other businesses. To date, CFK has raised approximately $3 million and has assisted more than 500 families. Since 2013, the Kids 4 Kids youth volunteer chapter supports CFK’s programs.
The non-profit serves as a financial lifeline of last resort after families have exhausted all other resources. The stories of families who turn to CFK for assistance vary as much as the illnesses endured by their children.
CFK recently assisted the mother of a teenage boy who suffered extensive burns and a cardiac arrest due to an accidental explosion. The incident caused widespread injuries, a permanent disability, and prolonged rehabilitation. The boy’s mother sold most of her belongings and lived at the hospital taking care of her son for more than a year. CFK assisted the family with payments for food, phone bills, and medical and personal care supplies.
The organization also covered travel expenses for parents of a four-year-old boy, who experiences up to 100 seizures everyday and receives treatments in another state.
In another recent case, the organization worked with a family of a nine-year old girl diagnosed with a brain tumor. Following resection of the tumor, the child has been left with numerous impairments, including difficulty swallowing, visual impairments, and poor balance and coordination, which require a tremendous amounts of therapy. The mother helps her daughter full time and the father does not reside in the country. CFK has assisted the family with rent, car insurance, and utility bill payments.
CFK also helped a family of a newborn boy with congenital diaphragmatic hernia. The mother has had to relocate to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where the child will remain indefinitely for treatment and rehabilitation. CFK assisted with payments of mortgage, common charges, car loans, and car insurance.
CFK also assisted another low-income family by covering all funeral expenses following the death of their five-year-old daughter.
Photo caption: Top to bottom, left to right: CFK Board of Directors Louis Castronova; CFK Advisory Board member and Marcum Tax & Business Director Ira Kantor, CPA; CFK Co-founder and Stalco Construction Principal Kevin G. Harney; CFK Advisory Board Members Brittany Castronova of Eastport UFSD and Cathy Sinclair of Brookhaven Hospital; CFK Co-founder Alan Nahmias, President of Stalco Construction; CFK Advisory Board members Randi Gorton of Weigh Watchers International, Noel Gorton of Medical Arts Radiology, attorney Mark DeBenedittis, Victoria Worsell, RN, of Huntington Hospital, Colleen Nasti of All Island Mason Supply, and Karl Reamer of Act 1 Entertainment; General Hospital actors Robert Palmer Watkins and Hayley Erin; CFK Advisory Board member Donna Worsell of Showcase Realty; CFK Board of Directors member Mary Byrnes of Half Hollow Hills CSD; CFK Advisory Board Member Chris Gorton of Central Semiconductor Corp.; CFK Executive Director and Eventide Group President Deborah O’Rourke; CFK Board of Directors member and The Patriot Organization President Jonathan Singer; CFK Vice President Michael Nasti, President of All Island Mason Supply; CFK Advisory Board members Chris Albano and Rick Snedecor; CFK Board of Directors member Pat Snedecor Custom Commercial Construction Co.; CFK President and People’s United Bank Vice President and Market Manager Steven C. DeLuca; CFK Advisory Board Member Jean Derespina of The Marketing Gig; CFK Board of Directors members Christina Aull of AriZona Beverages and Jessica Hughes; and CFK Advisory Board members Sheila Graziosi Sheila Graziosi of Natalie Weinstein Design Associates, Natalie Weinstein Design Associates President Natalie Weinstein, and Danielle Worsell of Island Companies.
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