Thru the Lens: Foodies For A Cause

Giving has never tasted so good... Contractors for Kids (CFK), a non-profit organization that financially supports families of seriously ill children, held the Foodies For A Cause benefit to raise $20,000 in funds for its programs. The event, attended by more than 400, featured foods and wine provided by top Long Island restaurants and wineries, and a smorgasbord of beer. Celebrity chef and Food Network's Chopped Finalist Marc Anthony Bynum presented his BBQ ribs and side dishes. Foodies For A Cause took place at the space contributed by the Appliance World store. In addition to exhibitors, main sponsors included Stalco Construction as the Apron Sponsor and Sigma Aerospace Metals as the "I love Food" Sponsor. The Eventide Group organized the benefit. Kevin Harney, co-founder of CFK and principal of Stalco Construction, recognized the contributors, volunteers, and supporters: "Thank you all for your generous support of children and families struggling with the consequences of serious childhood illnesses. Your contributions will allow Contractors For Kids to continue improving our young patients' quality of life and easing the financial burden faced by their parents." The enthusiastic attendees sampled foods, wines, and beer from local producers, chefs, and purveyors, including: A Rise Above Bake Shop Atlantis Marine World Big Daddy's Restaurant Bosch Corporate Chef California Pizza Kitchen Craft Beer and Wine Gram Wine & Liquors Palmer Vineyards Harbor Crab Lily Flanagan's Pub Mamma Lombardi's Mascali Restaurant Rhapsody Cakes Roast Sandwich House Rookies Sports Bar Ruvo Restaurant Shoreline Beverage Sysco Food Service Contractors For Kids (CFK) is a Long Island-based non-profit that assists families struck by a serious childhood illness. Co-founded in 2005 by Stalco Construction's principal Kevin Harney and president Alan Nahmias, the organization has by now attracted enthusiastic support from over 300 local builders, architects, real estate firms, and other businesses. In the first six years of existence, CFK has raised $2.2 million from its supporters. This generous funding by Long Island businesses has allowed CFK to financially assist nearly 200 families of children in need of surgeries, long-term medical care, and therapy. According to Nahmias, CFK offers help extending beyond medical bills. "We have reimbursed travel costs related to cutting-edge treatments unavailable locally and provided aid to families unable to submit mortgage payments due to healthcare-related expenses. We also assist parents faced with the heartbreaking task of making funeral arrangements for their children," he said. The stories of families in crises helped by CFK vary as much as serious illnesses that assail children. In a recent case, the organization helped a family of a young boy suffering from seizures caused by Rasmussen's Syndrome. The health insurance company refused to pay for the brain surgery suggested by the boy's doctor, considering it an experimental procedure. Following a donation from Stalco Construction, CFK funded the entire cost of the treatment. The child is currently doing well and no longer has seizures. In another example, CFK assisted a family of a little cancer patient. The mother quit her job to care for the child full time. Even though the father worked several jobs, the family fell behind in mortgage payments and eventually received a foreclosure notice from the bank. The desperate parents contacted CFK, which expeditiously submitted the mortgage payments in order to prevent the foreclosure. The organization is supported by individual and corporate donations, and holds frequent corporate and family fundraisers. CFK's events include black-tie dinner dances, walk-a-thons, golf outings, concerts, and annual family picnics. To support CFK and learn about the organization's activities and upcoming events, please visit www.contractorsforkids.org or call 1-888-208-KIDS. Photo caption for photo for file CFK Foodies 44 med.jpg More than 400 attended Contractors For Kids' Foodies For a Cause event in Huntington, NY. Featured are (left to right): Kevin G. Harney, Co-founder and President of Contractors For Kids (CFK) and Principal of Stalco Construction, Inc.; Erica Damato, The Eventide Group; Alan Nahmias, CFK Co-founder and Advisory Board Member; Patricia Heihr, Appliance World Director of Marketing; Kevin Nathan, owner of Appliance World; Debbie O'Rourke, The Eventide Group; Malcolm Wade, CFK Advisory Board Member and Stalco Construction Assistant Director of Marketing & Sales; Lou Spina, CFK Advisory Board Member and Senior VP of USI Insurance Services; Andrew Meyerson, CFK Advisory Board Member and CFO of Axis Construction; Jaclyn Morrell, CFK Committee Member and Branch Manager at Bethpage Credit Union; Troy Caruso, CFK Advisory Board Member and President of Diversified Construction; Deborah Vultaggio CFK Committee Member and Design Professional; Maria Salvo, CFK Advisory Board Member and Broker at Omni Risk Management; Steven DeLuca, CFK Advisory Board Member and 1st Vice President at Suffolk County National Bank; Chef Marc Anthony Bynum; Steven Kazanecki, CFK Advisory Board Member and President of Deep Blue Construction; Frank Murphy, CFK Committee Member; Jeanne Murphy, CFK Committee Member; Carole Tate, CFK Advisory Board Member and President of Sigma Aerospace Metals; and Allison Ray of East Coast Capital, CFK Advisory Board Member. Photo by Peter Wilk/Wilk Marketing Communications