Downtown

HeartShare Gala raises big bucks for non-profit agency

April 8, 2015 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Bill Guarinello (far right) president and CEO of HeartShare, welcomes guests Alyse Best Muldoon, Tony Lo Bianco, Paul Torre, Rosanna Scotto, Ines Rosales and Mike Woods (left to right) to the gala. Photo by Dan Loh Photography
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Celebrities from the worlds of movies, television and radio pitched in to help the Brooklyn-based organization HeartShare Human Services of New York raise nearly $600,000 at its 2015 Spring Gala and Auction at the New York Marriott Marquis, an event that attracted more than 950 guests.

The guest of honor at the March 26 gala was Z100 Radio host Elvis Duran, star of the “Elvis Duran and the Morning Show,” who said he believes strongly in helping the less fortunate. “If all of New York doesn’t win, none of us win. So, it’s our job, along with HeartShare, to make sure everyone in New York has a chance to win and be winners,” he said.

The list of honorees also included Ines Rosales, FOX 5’s “Good Day New York” traffic reporter; Joseph Mark Velli, finance executive and director of Paychex, Inc.; and Patrick Clarke, president of Celtic General Contractors. Clarke’s company rebuilt a HeartShare center in Queens on a pro-bono basis.

HeartShare board member and Q104.3 Radio host Jim Kerr served as the master of ceremonies at the gala.

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Guests had a chance to bid on dozens of items that were offered for sale at a silent auction. Actor Danny Aiello personally sold autographed copies of his memoir ‘I Only Know Who I Am When I Am Somebody Else.”

Other celebrities taking part in the festivities included actors Abigail Hawk and Gregory Jbara from CBS drama “Blue Bloods,” actor Tony Lo Bianco, who starred in “The French Connection,” “Get Smart” actress Barbara Feldon, “Gilligan’s Island” star Tina Louise and “The Sopranos” actors Dan Grimaldi and Tony Sirico.

HeartShare board member Rosanna Scotto and Mike Woods of FOX 5’s “Good Day New York” came out to celebrate their colleague Ines Rosales. Radio personalities Danielle Monaro and Bethany Watson from the “Elvis Duran and the Morning Show” also joined in the festivities.

The Spring Gala and Auction directly benefits HeartShare’s programs, which serve nearly 42,200 New Yorkers in need, according to officials at the agency. HeartShare’s headquarters is located at Metro Tech Center.

“It is our great honor to help those in our care,” said Bill Guarinello, president and CEO of HeartShare. 

HeartShare provides assistance to children and adults who have been diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including educational programs, life skills and vocational training, recreational programs, and family support. The agency also provides housing and foster care and adoption services. There is also an energy assistance program to help low income residents pay for heat.

For more information, visit www.heartshare.org.

***CORRECTION***

An earlier version of the article had honoree Patrick Clarke’s name incorrect. We regret the error.


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