Long Island Council
TUSCANY AT TWILIGHT C O C K TA I L S F O R A C AU S E Friday, September 25, 2026
Del Vino Vineyards
A BRIEF HISTORY In 1984, ML Galston and Susan (Sooky) Lassen had a concerned conversation about the famine in Ethiopia. They believed that by working together to raise awareness, the Long Island community would want to help children and families less fortunate.
ML and Sooky planned a chicken salad luncheon for which they charged a small donation to be given toward the crisis. They raised $50 and, thus, began Save the Children Long Island Council. Subsequently, the Long Island Council’s inspirational founders gathered their friends to plan other events to raise awareness and funds. Holiday parties were held with sales of goods made in the countries where Save the Children worked and there was a rowing regatta and a party on a tall ship with Sigourney Weaver. Nineteen eighty-nine marked the beginning of the polo events which attracted 800 attendees featuring tailgating, the divot stomp, a children’s tent, and a fancy hat contest with one ending with a dinner dance at the Meadow Brook Club. Every spring since 2007, except for two years at The Paramount in Huntington, we have continued to celebrate at the Meadow Brook Club and raise support for Save the Children. Our revenues have grown from the first $50 to more than $12 million over the past four decades! It is amazing what our two foresighted and energetic founders created!
Long Island Council
CHANGING THE WORLD FOR CHILDREN LOCALLY AND GLOBALLY Every child. Every chance. Everywhere. #celebratechildren
President Vice President Treasurer Secretary
Chris Homer Maud Robertson Phyllis Woods Mary Jo Balkind
Board Nike Akindahunsi Laura Blumin Sherri Croasdale Christine Dottino Susan Futter
Lori Homer Linda Kennedy Darlene Mays John Nagler Darcy O’Neill
Marguerite Viklund Kevin Wohlers Judy Woods Amber Wustrau
Honorary Board Erica & Henry Babcock Peter Blohm Sabine Blohm Pien & Hans Bosch Margy Hargraves
Judy & Tom Hogan Lynn & Frank Gundersen Cynthia Jay William S. Robertson
Grace & Bruce Stillman Elizabeth V.S. Townsend & David Townsend Judy & Pat Woods
SP ONSORS
Long Island Council
GRAND CRU GUARDIANS Top-tier donors who make transformational change possible. Inspired by Burgundy ’s Grand Cru vineyards — rare, exceptional, foundational.
Ann Eden Woodward Foundation Judy and Pat Woods, Trustees
BORDEAUX BENEFACTORS Major supporters strengthening education, safety, and opportunity. Classic, powerful, deeply rooted.
The Toxic Nature Charitable Foundation Tami and Scott Schneider
CHAMPAGNE CHAMPIONS Celebrating hope, resilience, and brighter futures for children. Sparkling, joyful, uplifting.
Mr. & Mrs. John R. Miller, IV
PIEDMONT PROTECTORS Steady, thoughtful supporters who help children thrive. Elegant, nurturing, quietly prestigious.
Mr. Richard Cunniff Mr. & Mrs. Paul Vermylen
TUSCAN FRIENDS OF THE FUTURE Inviting, generous, heartforward.
Susan and Jeffrey Futter Virginia Hanson Judy and Tom Hogan Kay and Jock Miller David Pearson
Long Island Council Save the Children is the world’s leading independent organization for children, working in 120 countries, including the United States, and helping more than 185 million children.
MISSION Save the Children Long Island Council is a volunteer group committed to supporting the work of the national organization, whose mission is to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.
SAVETHECHILDRENLI.ORG With your support, Save the Children gives children in the United States and around the world what every child deserves – a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm, especially when disaster strikes. We advocate and achieve lasting change for millions of children. We save children’s lives.
Salim at a Save the Children health center in Northern Syria
S A L I M ’ S S T O R Y:
FIGHTING TO SURVIVE THE WINTER IN A REFUGEE CAMP In the midst of a bitter winter, Salim, age 2, tries to stay warm at a refugee camp near the Syrian border. With temperatures nearing sub-zero, Salim will face this brutal winter in a snow-covered tent with only the clothes on his back to keep warm. The cold days are long, but the nights are always longer for Salim. When the sun goes down, the temperature drops, and he can feel the freezing air against his cheeks. He shivers to keep his body warm but with no blanket he has nothing to protect him from the cold air breezing through the tent. He is one of many children fighting to survive the winter in a refugee camp, and as the conditions turn treacherous, he is in desperate need of warm clothes, blankets and food. Children are the most vulnerable in refugee camps. They have been taken away from their homes, schools, friends and families, and have been forced to start new lives in strange environments. Save the Children is on the ground year-round, providing the basics – like food and blankets – offering programs to help them cope with tragedy. We have also established temporary learning centers where children can continue their education in safe and quality learning centers providing education and play spaces for kids and improving the sanitation and health services for children. With your help children like Salim can get the supplies he needs to survive the winter, receive an education and learn to be a kid again.
ON BEHALF OF THE WORLD'S CHILDREN
Long Island Council
Program Services
Fundraising
U.S. Government Direct & Pass-through Funding
Management & General
Individuals
Development
Humanitarian
Health & Nutrition
Child Poverty
UN & Other Multi-Lateral Funding Institutions
Education
Child Protections
Corporations
Foundations
Child Rights Governance
Other
DE AR FRIENDS As I reflect on my 30 years associated with Save the Children Long Island Council, I am filled with gratitude to have become part of an amazing organization. Throughout these years, I have witnessed firsthand the dedication of our local leaders and community as they commit leadership, funding and energy to support Save the Children. I was first introduced to Save the Children Long Island Council at the Banbury Symposium. This annual event brought together Save the Children field staff and directors to share their firsthand experiences from communities around the world. These remarkable individuals offered powerful insights into their work on the ground, highlighting the impact of their efforts to support children and families in some of the world's most challenging circumstances. Our community came together to learn and support Save the Children. Personally, each year I became more impressed by the depth and success of Save the Children programming in the U.S and the far reaches of the world to provide education, health care, nutrition, protection and emergency response. Save the Children has put together a formula to roll out when crisis hits and has become the leading humanitarian organization for children. Particularly known for rapid establishment of Child Friendly Spaces to provide children with safety, stability, emotional support and a sense of normalcy during the most difficult times. As a health educator, I began offering my students at Cold Spring Harbor High School extra credit if they attended the Banbury Symposium, so they too, can learn about the needs of children around the world and the positive impact of individuals and organizations to help. Years later, together with Maggie Viklund and Lori Homer, I helped to establish Save the Children Long Island Junior Council. Our goal was to educate more young people about the challenges facing children worldwide while empowering them to become compassionate leaders and advocates. The students wanted to also help children in the long island community and we began annual food drives and clothing drives to help local children, while continuing to fundraise and raise awareness for Save the Children. These projects have allowed students to serve children both locally and globally while learning the importance of compassion, service, and civic responsibility. Now, serving as President of the Save the Children Long Island Council is truly an honor. I remain inspired by the dedication of our volunteers, supporters, and especially our outstanding Board. We had a great year so far, with Mah Jongg, Islander Hockey with a Heart, Pickleball and BINGO. Our board has grown, our activities are multiplying, and we look forward to more fun and success in the coming years. At the heart of it all is our desire to help children- here in the U.S and around the world. I look forward to continuing our work, with you, to ensure that every child has the opportunity to grow up healthy, educated, protected, and filled with hope for a brighter future. With gratitude, Christopher Homer, President Save the Children Long Island Council
OUR IMPACT
Thank you, Clark Gillies Foundation! T H A N K Y O U , C L A R K G I L L I E S F O U N D AT I O N ! In March 2026 The Clark Gillies Foundation honored one of our Junior Council leaders,
Thank you, Clark Gillies Foundation! Dylan Savarese a scholarship granted by honored an anonymous donor. In Council June, Dylan In March 2026 with The Clark Gillies Foundation one of our Junior graduated from Cold Spring Harbor High School and had been a dedicated member of leaders, Dylan Savarese with a scholarship granted by an anonymous donor. In March 2026 The Clark Gillies Foundation honoredfor onemany of ouryears. Junior She Council leaders, Save the Children Long Island Junior Council is a young woman In June, Dylanwith graduated fromgranted Cold Spring High School and had Dylan Savarese a scholarship by an Harbor anonymous donor. In June, Dylan committed to numerous community organizations. Dylan completed additional training to graduated from Cold Spring Harbor Highthe School and had beenIsland a dedicated member of been a dedicated member of Save Children Long Junior Council become a Student Ambassador for Save the Children. Save the Children Long Island Junior Council for many years. She is a young woman for many years. She is a young woman committed to numerous community
committed to numerous community organizations. Dylan completed additional training to organizations. Dylan completed additional training to become a Student become a Student foraSave the Children. The Clark GilliesAmbassador Foundation, non-profit corporation dedicated to helping improve the
Ambassador Save therecognized Children. Dylan’s The Clark Gillies Foundation, non-profit quality of life forforchildren, significant impact. Pama Gilles and Peter with scholarship. We Leonard our BINGO Family afternoon to present The Clarkattended Gilliesdedicated Foundation, non-profit corporation dedicated to life helping improve the corporation toa helping improve the qualityDylan of for this children, quality of lifetoforthem, children, recognized Dylan’s significant impact. Pam Gilles and Peter are grateful to Dylan and to The Clark Gillies Foundation. recognized Dylan’s significant impact. Pam Gilles and Peter Leonard attended
Leonard attended our BINGO Family afternoon to present Dylan with this scholarship. We our BINGO Family afternoon to present Dylan with this scholarship. We are are grateful to them, to Dylan and to The Clark Gillies Foundation.
grateful to them, to Dylan and to The Clark Gillies Foundation.
R A I S I N G AWA R E N E S S Raising Awareness Raising Awareness
International Night at Cold Spring Harbor High School is always fun! With our International Night at Cold Spring Harbor High School is always fun! With our Prize Wheel we we engage while raisingHigh awareness about theimportant important International Night at students Cold Spring School is always fun! With our Prize Wheel engage students whileHarbor raising awareness about the work and progress ofSave Savethe the Children. Prizeand Wheel we ofengage students while raising awareness about the important work progress Children. work and progress of Save the Children.
COM M U N I T Y Impact I M PA C T Community
Since Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Save the Children Long Island Junior Since Hurricane 2012,atSave Children Long This Islandyear, Junior Council students Sandy collectinfood localthe food markets. weCouncil had two students collect food at local food markets. This year, we had two food drives at food drives at Stop and Shop in Huntington. In addition, our students fill Stop and Shop in Huntington. In addition, our students fill boxes for boxes for Thanksgiving dinner to help families assisted by Helping Hands Thanksgiving dinner to help families assisted by Helping Hands Rescue Mission Rescue Mission and League Familyand Service Leaguetoys and holiday toys at Tri and Family Service sort holiday atsort Tri CYA. CYA. Pictured below are some of our students at the food drive this year Pictured below areDebbie some ofRimler our students the food drive this year and some a picture and a picture with of TriatCYA gratefully accepting Debbie Rimler of Tri CYA gratefully accepting some of our bounty. with of our bounty. Thank you to Stop and Shop managers for welcoming our students andtotoStop theand many residents who Thank you Shop managers for donated welcominggenerously. our students and to the many residents who donated generously.
NY Islanders Hockey NEW YORK ISLANDERS HOCKEY were selectedas as an an Islander's charity onon April WeWe were selected Islander's"Hockey "Hockeywith witha aHeart" Heart" charity April 12, 12, 2026. Thanks to the incredible efforts of our dedicated volunteers 2026. Thanks to the incredible efforts of our dedicated volunteers and and the the generous support of Islander fans attending the game, we raised over generous support of Islander fans attending the game, we raised over $6,500 for Children Save the Children through a successful 50/50and raffle andsales. ticket for $6,500 Save the through a successful 50/50 raffle ticket sales. It was an honor to collaborate with the Islanders organization, and we are for theirwith partnership in making a positive and impact the Islanders organization, weon are It was andeeply honorgrateful to collaborate children's lives. deeply grateful for their partnership in making a positive impact on children's lives.
Pickle P I C K L Ball EBALL The Pickle Club in Syosset was the place for action on April 19. Everyone The Pickle Club in Syosset was the place for action on April 19. Everyone had a had a great time thanks to Sherri Croasdale's execution of an amazing great time thanks to Sherri Croasdale's execution of an amazing Pickleball Pickleball We raised $4,500! thank TheJanine Picklefrom Tournament.Tournament. We raised about $4,500!about We thank TheWe Pickle Club, Club, from Stretchand Zone in Woodbury and all participants! StretchJanine Zone in Woodbury all participants!
Our applause and thanks to
SAVE THE CHILDREN Long Island Council and all those who have continued making the world a better place for children!
Ann Eden Woodward Foundation Judy and Pat Woods, Trustees
CHILDREN ARE THE BEST!
THE BALKIND & ADLER FAMILIES
Save the Children Long Island Council
We Are Always Proud To Support You
Bowen and John Miller
TAMI AND SCOTT SCHNEIDER and the Toxic Nature Charitable Foundation PROUDLY SUPPORT
SAVE THE CHILDREN
THANK YOU FOR CREATING THE PATH TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE!
“Thank you for all th “Ty ho au nkdo yofo urfo reall childyroeun doof tfo hre tw hoerld!” children of the world!”
“Blessings to those in need.” “Blessings to those in need.”
Florence Staples Florence Staples
Honoring the legacy of its namesake by providing and joyby by Honoring support the legacy ofpromoting its namesake sharing resources for public good. Honoring the legacy ofthe its namesake providing support and promoting joyby by providing support and promoting joy by #BeMoreTeddy sharing resources for the public good. sharing resources for the public good. #BeMoreTeddy #BeMoreTeddy
Congratulations
Congratulations
SAVE THE CHILDREN LONG COUNCIL SAVEISLAND THE CHILDREN
LONG ISLAND COUNCIL
We applaud your success in meeting the needs of millions of children throughout We applaud your success in meeting the world! the needs of millions of children throughout the world!
Lynn and Frank Gundersen
Frank and Lynn Gundersen
Frank and Lynn Gundersen
Thank you for your outstanding work
Save the Children Long Island Council improving the lives of children and their families around the world!
The Trotman Family
Thank you for the work you do.
Richard T. Cunniff, Jr. THE CUNNIFF FAMILY
Proud to support Save The Children for creating irreversible positive change for children.
The Futter Family Susie, Jeff, Jillian, Allison and Claire
Thank you Save the Children Long Island Council for your work to improve the lives of children and their families around the world!
The Vermylen Family
THANK YOU! SAVE THE CHILDREN LONG ISLAND COUNCIL and all of you who believe we can make the world a better place.
Nancy Lippman Israeli, MD Ronald Israeli, MD, FACS Are Proud Supporters
MARY JO BALKIND WE CELEBRATE THE COMMITMENT OF
EIR LONG AND STRONG WORK TO HELP CH SAVE THE CHILDREN
AROUND THE WORLD! LONG ISLAND COUNCIL and
MARY JO BALKIND
WITH GREAT THANKS FROM
FOR THEIR LONG AND STRONG WORK TO HELP CHILDREN
THE HARGRAVES-MANDY-HALL FAMILY AROUND THE WORLD! WITH GREAT THANKS FROM
THE HARGRAVES-MANDY-HALL FAMILY
Thank you to
Thank you to SAVE THE CHILDREN Long Island Council
SAVE THE CHILDREN for the amazing work you do! Long Island Council Virginia Hanson
for the amazing work you do!
Virginia Hanson
The Hogan Family IsThe Proud to Support Hogan Family Is Proud to Support
Savethe the Children Children Save
Trudy and Tom Calabrese
Trudy Calabrese are proudand of theTom outstanding work of
the of Children, Long Island Council areSave proud the outstanding work of the world at home. Savethroughout the Children, Longand Island Council throughout the world and at home.
THE SANNA FAMILY are proud to support Save the Children, Long Island Council THE SANNA FAMILY
for their work creating real and lasting are proud to support change for children. Save the Children, Long Island Council for their work creating real and lasting change for children.
We applaud the accomplishments of We applaud the accomplishments of
Save the Children Save the Children
Long Island Council Long Island Council
Kay Miller Kayand and Jock Jock Miller
David Pearson
David Pearson Proudly Supports
SAVE THE Supports CHILDREN Proudly Long Island Council
SAVE THE CHILDREN Long Island Council
Thank you Sealy and Mark Hopkinson
for your loyal and generous support
Thank you
is proud to support the wonderful work of
Save thetoChildren is proud support
the wonderful work of 181the Main Street Save Children Cold Spring Harbor, New York 181 Main Street Cold Spring Harbor, New York
THANK YOU BARBARA AND CHRISTINA ZOITAS
THANK YOU BARBARA AND CHRISTINA ZOITAS
FOR YOUR LOYAL & GENEROUS SUPPORT
Applause for Save the Children!
Fiona Witkowski
Thank you to Save the Children for your priceless contribution to all children locally and globally.
We are proud to support Save the Children, Long Island Council.
Jeanne and Peter Leonard
Hope and John Reese
Thank you to Save the Children for the wonderful work that you do! Virginia Jacobsen
Thank you to Save the Children, Long Island Council! Sally and Tim Megear
We proudly support Save the Children, Long Island Council. Gail and Bill Johnson
Thank you to Save the Children for all you do! Robin Senior
is proud to support Save the Children Long Island Council
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