The Family and Children’s Association (FCA), a Mineola-based nonprofit, held its 2019 Fall Harvest Celebration at the Engineers Country Club in Roslyn Harbor on Thursday, Nov. 21.
Friends, supporters and donors came out in large numbers for FCA’s annual event to help raise more than $275,000. The event was emceed by Morey Creative Studios President Jed Morey. The event included client speaker, Denisse Antonio, former FCA Project Promise and Project Independence participant, FCA Youth Advisory Council member and recipient of the FCA Scholarship Award. She shared with the audience her struggles as a young girl and how FCA guided her to independent living and pursuing a career in social work.
Antonio received her master’s degree in social work from Stony Brook University and, along the way, interned with FCA’s Project Independence Program.
“Through my work in both YAC and Project Independence, I was able to work collaboratively with the youth in assisting them to develop their independent living skills, their strengths and to find their own voices,” Antonio said. “At FCA, I was offered this chance, and I am now working on helping others to become empowered and find what I found at FCA.”
FCA also honored Peter Morandi, CEO of Eastman Cooke Construction, for his philanthropy and involvement with the organization. He is a third generation builder of this New York City-based general contracting and construction management firm. FCA recognized his continued support of the agency’s vital programs and services, professional achievements, charitable initiatives and his generous work on Long Island.
“I can’t say enough about the work FCA does on the front lines day-after-day, dealing with the realities of people’s lives, working to make our communities better places for all of us to live,” Morandi said. “I truly appreciate the recognition of this award, and would like to thank the staff, CEO Jeff Reynolds and the board of directors.”
FCA recognized Michael Monahan and Hope Lapsley with Humanitarian Awards. Michael Monahan, a FCA board member and CohnReznick managing partner, received the Jim Harnett Humanitarian Award for his loyalty, leadership and commitment to FCA. This award was created to honor the work of former FCA CEO James J. Harnett, who passed away in 2010. Harnett was an outstanding visionary and leader who lived a life in service to others.
The award honors his memory and the outstanding humanitarian efforts of its recipients. Lapsley, a FCA board member, received the Carol Wessel Humanitarian Award for her commitment and dedication to those in need. It was created to honor the work of former FCA trustee Carol Wessel, who passed away in 2014. Wessel was a generous and dedicated philanthropist. This award honors her memory and the exceptional charitable efforts and generosity of its recipients.
To learn more about upcoming FCA events, contact Marisa Paladino at 516-746-0350, ext. 4364. Additional information is available at www.fcali.org/events.
—Submitted by the Family and Children’s Association
