Photo credit Patrick McMullan
Life’s WORC hosted their 50th Anniversary Gala celebrating the hard-working people of the organization, and honored Trailblazing Journalist Geraldo Rivera of FOX News, and Life’s WORC Founder Victoria Schneps-Yunis, President & Co-Publisher, Schneps Media. Life’s WORC was proud to “Celebrate 50” this year, marking fifty years of service to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Gala celebrated Life’s WORC homes, non-residential programs, Family Center for Autism, and Supportive Employment program at the Celebrate 50 Gala at The Garden City Hotel in Garden City, NY. The longtime, leading broadcaster and hometown Long Islander Bill O’Reilly was the Gala Keynote Speaker. Geraldo Rivera’s daughter Sol Rivera gave a heartfelt speech before introducing her father to the stage. Victoria Schneps-Yunis was introduced with a video package put together by her three surviving children Elizabeth, Samantha, and Josh who shared their loving feelings towards their mother and her hard work. They joined Victoria on stage, hands held together and toasted to the future success of Life’s WORC. Senator Tom Suozzi presented Geraldo and Victoria with commemorative America flags that were once flown over the capital.
More than 400 attendees came from Manhattan to Montauk, the boroughs of New York City, and the Long Island counties of Nassau and Suffolk to support the event. There were auction items including various signed sports memorabilia, a luxury cruise, a Kate Spade purse, and Citizen watch. In addition to honoring all those who contributed to Life’s WORC’s success, the event raised $1 million to build a job training program for people with special needs and autism.
Some notable attendees included: Geraldo Rivera, Victoria Schneps-Yunis, Bill O’Reilly, Erica Rivera, Sol Rivera, Josh Schneps, Charles Evdos, Senator Tom Suozzi, Bruce Blakeman, Lynn Koufakis, Samantha Sohmer, Dino Diiorio, Elizabeth Aloni, Arthur Aidala, Craig Rivera, Alina Cho, Denise Buran, Greg Peterson, Meryl Dee, Dr. Harvey Manes, Matthew Sebato, Angelo Angerane, Joan MacNaughton, Ron Aghassi, Michael Billia, Tina Moreno, Catherine Canadeo, Ernie Canadeo, Peter Spalding, Ali Jabbour.
Celebrate 50 is a year-long acknowledgement of Life’s WORC’s proud past and a commitment to a promising tomorrow. While they honored and are grateful for Life’s WORC’s history, the journey has truly just begun.
For more information, please visit lifesworc.org/celebrate50/
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