The Interfaith Nutrition Network (INN) recently held the 2016 Innkeepers Ball at the Long Island Marriott Hotel in Uniondale, where Connie Cincotta of Oyster Bay was one of the honorees, along with her company, the Glenwood Mason Supply Company Inc., in Brooklyn.
Cincotta and her staff volunteer at one of the soup kitchens and she has endowed the Mary Brennan INN with a kitchen in memory of her parents Joseph and Marian Cincotta.
The INN, which was founded in 1983 by a group of concerned volunteers, has 14 soup kitchens, including the North Shore INN in Glen Cove, three emergency shelters, a veterans’ home and 20 longterm housing sites, in addition to their latest initiative, the Center for Transformative Change.
The other honoree was Jeffrey Forchelli, managing partner of the law firm Forchelli, Curto, Deegan, Schwartz, Mineo and Terrana LLP. Both were presented with the Humanitarian of the Year award.
There were hundreds of luxurious silent auction items from famous designers and tickets to shows and sporting events.
Jean Kelly, executive director of the INN, welcomed guests and introduced Carol Silva and Erin Colton of Channel 12 News, who acted as auctioneers for six live auction experiences, including fine dining, sailing, golfing, a Mets games and opportunities at the INN.
Kelly also introduced honoree Cincotta, announcing that Cincotta would only agree to accept the honor if her whole staff were also honored; so 60 men and women joined her at the podium to receive her award with cheers and applause from her friends and supporters.
Cincotta recently opened a restaurant in Oyster Bay, Autentico, with her friends Zac Nudo and chef Francesco Pecoraro, where Billy Joel has been spotted a few times.
The mission of the INN is to provide food and shelter for the homeless. The nonprofit organization is now the largest human service agency on Long Island, with more than 2,000 volunteers, plus a dedicated staff.
For further information on how to help support the INN or volunteer, visit www.the-inn.org or call 516-486-8506.
