North Shore Charity Event

In honor of the re-building of New York City in the wake of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, North Shore Child and Family Guidance Center's Annual Chrysanthemum Event celebrated the strong spirit of the city at their major charity event of the year. Held at the Regent Wall Street Hotel in Manhattan the event brought together a wide spectrum of business and community leaders.

This year's event honored businessmen John Duffy, chairman and CEO of Keefe, Bryette & Woods and Thomas O'Neill, principal at Sandler, O'Neill and Partners, LLP. The event was chaired by the Honorable Bonnie and Mr. Clifford Fisher.

Left to right: Clifford Iisler, NSC&FGC board member and event co-chair; John Duffy, honoree: Thomas O'Neill, honoree, Bonnie Eisler, event co-chair; Rochelle Lipton, president NSC&fgc; Marion S. Levine, ACSW, executive director/CEO NSC&FGC.

The president of the prominent children's mental health agency, Rochelle Lipton of Manhasset, hosted the event. Presenting a specially edited video version of the ABC television documentary that featured the work of the center with the victims and families of 9/11 and which was broadcast on the first anniversary of that event, Ms. Lipton thanked those in attendance saying, "knowing that you are all with us, helping us to care for the emotional health of our neighbors encourages us to do even more."

Marion Levine, executive director/CEO told the story of the quick and ongoing mobilization and outreach to families, schools, businesses, and to community organizations. She announced plans to purchase a new site to house the center's ever-expanding Schnurmacher Family Bereavement and Trauma Center. She thanked everyone for attending the event at such a crucial moment in the New York region's history and paid tribute to the enormous energy that the event committee had put into making it the agencies premier fundraising success this year.

Raffles, a silent auction, and a live auction also augmented the fundraising. A spirit of rededication to New York, to non-profit charities, to fellowship, and to courage and brave good spirits animated the event.

The large crowd swayed to the strains of the Gary Reynolds Orchestra's dance band, "Oz," while enjoying the magnificent cuisine provided by the Regent Wall Street.