GARDEN CITY, NY — Hope will be in the air at The Garden City Hotel on May 10, as the venue will be transformed into a gala for pediatric cancer research.
Olivia Hope Foundation of Syosset’s fifth annual “Evening of Hope” is scheduled to run from 7 to 11 p.m. at 45 7th Street, Garden City.
The foundation encourages people to eat, drink, dance and glean inspiration from powerful speeches by cancer survivors, researchers and foundation leaders. Tickets are $250 or $175 for those under 21 or 65 and older and can be purchased here.
Find out what's happening in Syossetwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The foundation was created in memory of Olivia Hope LoRusso, who died of acute myeloid leukemia in 2017 at the age of 12.
Shelley LoRusso, Olivia’s mother, co-founded the charity with Amy Nikolai, Linda Donato and Lauree Vasta. Olivia’s sisters, Gianna and Sabrina, are also integral members of the foundation. Olivia Hope Foundation dreams to cure childhood cancer while helping children who are fighting the disease.
Find out what's happening in Syossetwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Shelley said the foundation tries to make every part of the gala about Olivia.
“It encapsulates her personality,” Shelley told Patch. “We serve strawberry shortcake for dessert. We help families; that’s what she loved to do. Be kind to people. Be compassionate. We honor her by doing that and helping families with kids who are in treatment.”
“Evening of Hope” raises around $100K each year and is “definitely” the most profitable fundraiser held by the foundation, Nikolai said.
Click Here: wicklow gaa jerseys
The foundation plans to help fund childhood cancer research at multiple hospitals this year. Foundation members are going to Seattle Children’s Hospital next week to present them with another $100K, Nikolai said. The hospital intends to double the funding this year, she said.
Olivia Hope Foundation also intends to support Cohen’s Children’s Hospital this year, Nikolai said. She encouraged people to attend the gala to support initiatives like that.
“We want people to come and join our community and all of the work that we do to help families and children,” Nikolai said.
The foundation also supports children fighting cancer through its Warrior Support program, highlights them as “Olivia Hope Heroes,” and aids siblings of childhood cancer patients through “Liv’s Sibs.”
The cocktail hour will feature eight choices for passed hors d’oeuvres and three cocktail stations.
Speeches will be made following the cocktail hour, becoming the “heart” of the gala as speakers reinforce the foundation’s mission.
Filet mignon and crab cakes will be served as a dual-plated entree. Strawberry shortcake —Olivia’s favorite — is dessert.
Live auctions follow, as attendees will be able to bid on a vacation package to Turks and Caicos and special experiences. There will also be a silent auction for items like autographed memorabilia, luxury goods and custom artwork.
When the auction ends, the gala will transform into a dance party. Dancing is at the heart of the event.
“Evening of Hope” has evolved over the years into a “well-oiled machine,” Nikolai said.
“The first year, we didn’t have a clue. Now we know,” she said. “There are donor pools. We’re always trying to get more donors. We know what our donor pool is. We understand the workings of the venues. To make the experience an easier task. That is not to be confused with it being easy. It’s an easier task than it was in the beginning.”
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.