Home > News and Events > Press Releases > Press Release 02/19/10
February 19, 2010
7th Annual Happiness House “Sold Out” Gala Dinner & Auction Event Raises Over $46,000
Kevin W. Reeder Honored as 3rd Recipient of the “Happiness is Helping” Humanitarian Award
Happiness House/Finger Lakes Cerebral Palsy Association recently held its 7th Annual Gala Dinner & Auction Event. Founding and Major Sponsor Belhurst, in Geneva, hosted the event which was presented by Five Star Bank, the underwriter of this event.
Greece native Anthony Joseph DiPonzio had been with the Rochester Police Department for about one year when he was shot and seriously injured. Mr. DiPonzio was the keynote speaker at the Gala Dinner, sharing his personal story with a SOLD OUT audience of 219 attendees including program participants who have experienced a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
The “Happiness Is Helping” Humanitarian Award was created to recognize outstanding individuals who dedicate their time to advocate for and on behalf of people with development disabilities, and whose accomplishments are consistent with the mission and vision of Happiness House. This year’s award went to Kevin W. Reeder, owner of Belhurst, longtime supporter of Happiness House, and current chairman of the Happiness House Board of Directors.
Also honored this year was Robert J. Quinn Jr., recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award. With the help of many in his community, he has put over 600 hours of hard work into the “Children’s Garden” project, which was unveiled this past fall at Happiness House’s Canandigua site. Completion of the “Children’s Garden” fulfills one of the requirements necessary to obtain the Eagle Scout Rank, the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scout program of the Boy Scouts of America.
Distinguished guests include Happiness House Board and Foundation Board members, Senator Michael Nozzolio, community leaders, and representatives from our sponsors, including: Founding & Major Sponsor ~ Belhurst; Underwriter ~ Five Star Bank; Major ~ Relph Benefit Advisors, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield; Corporate Sponsors: Canandaigua National Bank & Trust- Wealth Strategies Group, Community Bank, N.A., Finger Lakes Health, Finger Lakes Medical Associates, L.L.P., First Niagara Bank, Guardian Industries, Lyons National Bank and Reflections Healthcare~ William V. Craig, M.D., P.C.; Table: Ann & Harry Burt, Harris Beach PLLC, Kelly & William Hart, Mark D. & Mary Herlihy Gearan, Seneca Foods Foundation and The Bonadio Group.
All proceeds from this event will be utilized to maintain the highest quality programs and services that enrich the lives of the children, adults and families we serve.
Happiness House- Finger Lakes Cerebral Palsy Association is a private nonprofit educational, health and human service organization that has been serving communities in the Finger Lakes region in Upstate New York since 1969. Today with sites in Canandaigua, Geneva, Gorham, and Waterloo, Happiness House offers an array of educational program, recreational and family support services for children and adults with and without disabilities who reside in Ontario, Seneca, Wayne, and Yates counties. On average Happiness House serves 1,000 individuals and their families each year.
CONTACT:
Cheryl L. Coppola
Development Director
(585) 394-9510
ccoppola@happinesshouse.org