Centennial Celebration Recognizes Heroes from Long Island

The American Red Cross on Long Island will celebrate 100 years of service to the Long Island community and recognize heroes from the community who embody the spirit of the Red Cross at its Centennial Celebration Gala on June 15, 2017, at the Nassau Country Club in Glen Cove, NY.

“The American Red Cross on Long Island has been a vital and powerful community partner to Long Island for a century. Over that time, the scope and impact of our work has touched many lives and we celebrate all of our heroes who deliver hope and help every day,” said Neela Lockel, CEO, American Red Cross on Long Island.

Initially founded to address the humanitarian needs of World War I, the last 100 years has seen the Long Island Red Cross provide compassionate relief in an ever-changing world with new challenges. Significant responses over the last hundred years include the Great New England Hurricane (aka The Long Island Express) of 1938; the 1995 Pine Barrens fire; the 1996 TWA flight 800; the attacks of 9/11, Hurricane Irene in 2011 and Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

Today on Long Island, a Red Cross team of 1000 plus volunteers responds to over 200 incidents a year. The Long Island Red Cross works tirelessly to builds resilient and strong communities by installing thousands of free smoke alarms in at risk neighborhoods, by teaching water safety and first aid, and empowering families with vital disaster preparedness skills.

The Red Cross also collects lifesaving blood and provides unwavering support to Long Island service members and their families.

“Our gala offers a wonderful opportunity to reflect on and celebrate our work. Our amazing Honorees embody the spirit and commitment to service that is the American Red Cross on Long Island,” said Lockel. “From our earliest days rolling bandages for service members overseas during World War I to our efforts to protect local communities by installing life-saving smoke detectors, the work of the American Red Cross on Long Island touches every community each day. It is an honor to celebrate these heroes and our 100 year legacy this June.”

Centennial Honorees

Alan J. Murray, President and CEO of CareConnect will receive the Corporate Leadership Award. The first provider-owned commercial health insurance company in New York State, CareConnect was created by Northwell Health to make it easy for people to get and stay healthy, with an innovative model designed to provide access to care that’s both excellent and affordable. CareConnect was founded in 2013 and offers a variety of plans for individuals, families and businesses. It is headquartered in East Hills, New York.

Gwen O’Shea, President and CEO of the Community Development Corporation of Long Island, will receive the Superstorm Sandy Hero Award, in recognition of her leadership of the recovery efforts of the Health and Welfare of Long Island (HWCLI) after the storm. O’Shea led the HQCLI for 15 years.

James Anson will receive the Home Fire Campaign Hero Award. Anson, an off-duty Suffolk County police officer, rushed to the aid of a Centereach, NY, family during a house fire last November.

Long Island Coalition for the Homeless will receive the Service to the Armed Forces Hero Award for their work with veteran’s agencies and partner organizations to help eradicate veteran homelessness in communities across Long Island by ensuring that all homeless veterans in need of shelter have prompt access to housing and services.

Joseph Stanco, Donna Athenas, and Aimee DiBartolomeo-Cody are chairs of the American Red Cross Centennial Gala.

Sponsors of the American Red Cross on Long Island Centennial Celebration include: CareConnect, PSEG Long Island, National Grid, Casual Home Worldwide, the Northeast Council of Carpenters, Ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island, Rallye Auto Group, Silverman Acampora, LLP, Winthrop University Hospital, Coca-Cola, Edgewise Energy, Frank Chau & Associates, Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP, New York Cancer & Blood Specialists, and Premier Benefit Plans, Inc.

Individual tickets are $300 and sponsorship opportunities are available. To learn more about the Long Island Centennial Celebration visit http://www.redcross.org/li100 or call (516) 747-3500, ext. 209.