Honorees Michael and Andrea Leeds, state Sen. Todd Kaminsky and Guidance Center Executive Director Andrew Malekoff. (Photo courtesy of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center)
North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center’s 65th Sapphire Anniversary gala raised over $620,000 to support the Guidance Center’s mission to bring hope and healing to children and their families who are experiencing mental health and substance use challenges. The Oct. 25 gala, which honored philanthropists Andrea and Michael Leeds and Americana Manhasset’s Champions for Charity, marked the most successful fundraising event in the Guidance Center’s history.
Guest speaker Linda Beigel Schulman.
The event included speaker Linda Beigel Schulman, the mother of Scott J. Beigel, one of the teachers killed in the shooting in Parkland, Florida. Her speech brought everyone to their feet.
Honorees Andrea and Michael Leeds and Americana Manhasset’s Champions for Charity drew supporters from as close as Long Island and as far away as California.
Andrea Leeds has been a Board Member at the Guidance Center for more than 20 years. She and her husband Michael are dedicated philanthropists, and they have supported many causes both on Long Island and across the globe.
Americana Manhasset’s Champions for Charity, hosts an annual holiday shopping event that supports more than 100 not-for-profit organizations, including the Guidance Center. The event, which this year takes place from Nov. 29 through Dec. 2, has raised nearly $12 million since its inception in 1996.
Many contributed to planning the gala including co-chairs Matilde and Cliff Broder and Rosemarie and Mitchell Klipper, journal co-chairs Jo-Ellen Hazan and the recently deceased John J. Gutleber, who passed away unexpectedly in September, and auction co-chairs Deirdre Costa Major and Charles G. Chan. The Mistress of Ceremonies was News 12 Long Island’s Carol Silva.
Guidance Center Executive Director Andrew Malekoff, Americana’s Deirdre Costa Major and Guidance Center President Nancy Lane.
“We are extremely grateful to our honorees, speaker, mistress of ceremonies, donors, sponsors and all who worked so hard on the gala committee,” said Guidance Center Executive Director Andrew Malekoff. “For 65 years, we have been dedicated to providing mental health services to all children and families, regardless of their ability to pay. And because of the generosity of everyone involved, we will be able to continue to provide the best in care to the community.”
