MOMMAS HOUSE NEWS

MOMMAS NEWS

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The official MOMMAS HOUSE NEWSLETTER.
To download a copy of the please click on the link below.
MOMMAS HOUSE NEWSLETTER

SAVE THE DATE!

MOMMAS House Annual Gala - October 30, 2010

Mommas House Honors
John Durso – President RWDSU/UFCW Local 338
Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO

Family members, friends and supporters of Mommas House joined 2010 Honoree, John Durso, at a reception to kickoff events that will culminate with the annual gala – Le Bal Masqué – to be held on Saturday, October 30, 2010 at the Crest Hollow Country Club.

From Left: Patricia Shea, Executive Director of MOMMAS; Honoree John and his wife,
Peggy Durso; and Deirdre Shea, Assistant Director of MOMMAS

In his remarks at the kickoff, Mr. Durso said, “I am very proud to be the honoree at this year’s Mommas House Gala. I have admired the work that Mommas House has done over the years and have seen the difference this great organization has made in the lives of the young women and children that have passed through their doors. We in the labor movement share in the concern for these young women and their families and we are pleased to play a small part in making their lives better. We look forward to a wonderful and successful evening.”

Click here for more information on this event

MOMMAS in the NEWS!

The Stork has been visiting!

Here at MOMMAS House we have had several new arrivals over the past several months. We wanted to share the joy of these precious new lives with
all of you, our friends and supporters.

It's A Boy!   Jadiel - born May 11, 2009
It's A Boy!   Alexander - born June 16, 2009
It's A Girl!    Joelle - born July 18, 2009
It's A Girl!    Destiny - born August 16, 2009
It's A Girl!    Taylor - born September 29, 2009
It's A Boy!    Dylan - born October 8, 2009

See some photos of our new arrivals!

Annual Gala Cocktail Reception - A Wonderful Night!

The Annual Gala is our largest fundraising event of the year; it brings in revenue that supports about 20% of our budget. To say that it is essential for this event to be successful is the greatest of understatements.

This year's annual gala got off to a rocky start. With the economy taking a big hit this year, charitable supporters across the country had to scale back their levels of contribution, and this was a scary time for MOMMAS House. However, despite all obstacles the MOMMAS House Event Committee managed to pull off a stunningly successful event!

This year, MOMMAS House chose to honor and celebrate the successes of three MOMMAS House graduates! Those who attended this event were able to directly witness the impact of the MOMMAS House program on the young families we have helped over the years. They came and told their stories in their own words, from the struggles they faced, to their experience at MOMMAS House, and how far they have come since!

You can read their stories HERE

This year's gala, held on November 14, 2009 at the Brookville Country Club was successful in raising $65,000 in profitable funds to support the programs of MOMMAS House. We are extremely grateful to the committee led by Mary McCaffery and Marcia Stadler, for all the tremendous work they did in planning and executing this event.

We would also like to recognize and give special thanks to those who supported this event:

UNDERWRITERS:	MOTHER-CHILD SPONSORS:
Sullivan & Menendez, LLP Salvatore & Marianne Trani Joseph Bottner, MD	Arch Capital Services Salvatore & Christine Naro Alan & Meryl Cohen Frank & Rita Castagna

HOUSE SPONSORS:
Frank & Rita Castagna	August & Marilyn DiRenzo
Alex & Christine Koundourakis	Robert & Allison Kellan
Dinos & Marianne Iordanou	Salvatore & Marianne Trani

SILENT AUCTION DONORS:
Americana Manhasset Ben's Kosher Deli Birch Hill Caterers, Locust Valley Bradford Portraits Brass & Rail Restaurant Brookville Country Club Brown’s Tavern Country Plaza Catering & Deli Couture Envelopes DERO by Rocco D’ Amelio Gucci London Jewelers Marshall Coffee Mecina Market Pomponner, Locust Valley Rothman’s Steakhouse Tiffany & Co.	Rita & Frank Castagna Marcia Stadler Anne Maione Joanne Von Zwehl Patricia Shea Joan Durso Serra Mary McCaffery Marilyn DiRenzo Helene Mashal Phyllis Lynch Chris Naro Gina Serra Daughters of Portugal

And to all those who attended, purchased raffle tickets, bid on silent auction items and made donations. THANK YOU!

Check out our Sponsorship Ads here!

Check back soon for photos from this event!

Capital Fund Campaign Update

The current status of the Capital Fund Campaign is past the halfway mark! Most of the original pledges have been fulfilled. In order that we keep the project alive, we would be most grateful if a couple of you would consider hosting a reception at your home/business or anywhere feasible to accommodate an intimate gathering. Light refreshments only, as the main purpose is to have a platform on which to explain what MOMMAS House is and what it hopes to accomplish. No high pressure tactics are ever used, only the distribution of information and ways one might help if so inclined.
Our goal is to purchase another multi-family home for our mothers who are ready for more independent living.
Please consider investing in the future of MOMMAS House and the women and babies we serve.

Fundraising Events Report

We have many exciting and fun upcoming events that you can participate in and help out MOMMAS House!

Check out the EVENTS page for information on UPCOMING EVENTS

We Salute...

Those that answered our Valentine/Spring Appeal; almost $ 4,000 was generated at a time when the need is great. In the same vein, we greatly appreciate those that have: approached employers about “Matching Gift” programs, have gotten into the habit of using our memorial/living tribute card program and finally, those who have joined the ranks of regular monthly donors. We can breathe a little easier when there are funds we can count on as much as the bills!
Our Social Work intern, Jackie Berg, from Adelphi University, for her outstanding work with MOMMAS.
The two Eagle Scouts who chose MOMMAS House for their projects, Eric Kaminsky (who additionally designated MOMMAS be the recipient of any gifts given for his award ceremony $475 – thank so much) and Michael Duplessis, who is still in the throes of his ambitious effort on our behalf.
In the interest of equal time, Caitlyn Imbessi earned her Girl Scout Gold Award painting a lovely mural at the Hempstead house. Rebecca Gilbert and Gina Vollaro achieved their Silver Award through their project for MOMMAS. Also thanks also to Jr. Troop 3562 for planting flowers at East Massapequa and Troop 924 for outstanding yard work at our Jericho residence.
To St. John’s University Summer Orientation program which has sent groups of student volunteers for six weeks throughout the summer, incorporating the Vincentian Mission of the university as they prepare incoming freshman.
To my favorite donor of this season who put aside her Starbucks allowance, in favor of giving to MOMMAS. You truly touched our hearts!
The many church/temples and organizations for holding baby showers which keep our babies well supplied. Several of these same supporters treated our moms to a lovely Mothers Day, making gift baskets etc.
Like-minded, J. Jill clothing has “adopted” MOMMAS and keeps our moms stylin’ with current contemporary apparel.
Molloy College, Adelphi, C.W. Post and St. John’s Universities for continued support volunteering service/learning hours. More and more colleges/universities are establishing a mutually beneficial relationship with us. They are practicing what they are learning, be it: public relations, speech therapy, early intervention etc. benefiting us both. In the interest of giving back to the community, MOMMAS House accommodates as many interning students as we can effectively supervise. This affords them practical application of their chosen disciplines under expert tutelage, while giving us extra hands to service our clients!
Detective Steven and Honorable Patti McDonald for their loyal and immeasurable support!
To our many workshop moderators (i.e. Kate Nowack of Financial Literacy) who offer their time and expertise to MOMMAS’ residents, affording them a real chance at successful living.
To all of our other volunteers: those that rock our babies, drive to doctor appointments, sort clothing, pick-up furniture/food, make fundraising events memorable and profitable, write grants, keep the books, make up our Board of Directors…you know who you are and what you do, we hope you know how grateful we are!

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