News

24
Oct
2015

Mercy Haven’s 30th Anniversary Gala

Bellport, NY, October 24, 2015 – Local non-profit celebrates 30th Anniversary. A beautiful, crisp October evening welcomed over 240 guests for Mercy Haven’s 30th Anniversary Gala. On October 24, 2015, friends old and new gathered at Bellport Country Club in Bellport to share in the warmth of the celebration, and reminisce over the many successes and challenges of the past 30 years. Proceeds from this event will benefit Mercy Haven’s on-going mission to provide housing and support services to those who are homeless, living with mental illness or living in poverty.

Event Chair, Pat Spiegel, expressed that the committee “worked tirelessly over several months of planning to secure raffle gifts, entertainment and décor.” The end result of all the hard work was apparent in the excitement of raffle ticket sales, positive feedback from guests, and in raising more than $140,000 for the agency’s programs and services – the most raised by the agency at an event.

This 30th Anniversary Gala celebration was represented by the pearl, a symbol of strength through adversity which parallels the story of Mercy Haven, an agency that serves those whom society often judges to be imperfect. The pearl also symbolizes loyalty and friendship, which is selflessly demonstrated by the three honored guests, Rich D’Andrea, owner of Raynor & D’Andrea Funeral Homes, Donnalynn Darling, Esq., Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, P.C., and Justine Kaplar, Mercy Haven Volunteer.

Reflecting on the past 30 years, Sister Patricia Griffith, Executive Director and Co-Founder, remarked that “a mere grain of sand causes the oyster to protect itself against its ‘new irritant’ that gives us the gift of a pearl. I think that’s a great image for Mercy Haven for we have been both irritant and cultivator of many pearls… It all started with a small group of people standing up for something, some persons that allowed this pearl to be born. This group knew grace was available to make things right but that they had to activate this gift in what they were willing to risk, to learn, and to lose – in other words to be the irritant. For each of these people we are forever grateful.”

A festive cocktail hour was followed by dinner, dancing and an awards presentation to the honorees. The evening would not have been possible without Event Sponsors – Empire National Bank, Farrell Fritz, P.C., New York Community Bancorp, and the McNamara Family.

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