The Safe Center LI Honors Prominent Long Islanders Dedicated to Victims of Abuse
Bethpage, NY (PRWEB) October 22, 2013 -- The Safe Center LI Honors Prominent Long Islanders
Dedicated to Victims of Abuse
Frank and Rita Castagna Receive Inaugural David Taub Award
Oheka Castle’s Gary Melius is Gala Honoree
The Inaugural David S. Taub Award was presented to Frank and Rita Castagna last night at a lavish affair at Oheka Castle. The award, named in honor of the late founder of Palm Bay International, recognizes extraordinary philanthropy and support of The Safe Center LI, the Bethpage-based organization dedicated to victims of abuse. The Gala, attended by more than 300 of Long Island’s leading business, political and civic leaders, also honored Oheka Castle owner Gary Melius.
In addition to their work for The Safe Center, the Castagnas, best known for their stewardship of Castagna Realty Company and its flagship Americana Manhasset, have given tirelessly to dozens of charitable organizations on or around Long Island. The award was presented by Mr. Taub’s widow, Linda Lewin Taub and son, Marc Taub.
“We are honored to receive the first annual David Taub Award,” said the Castagnas in a statement. “David was a great man, a true humanitarian and a dear friend.”
“Without the generosity of David Taub and the Castagnas, our dream of creating The Safe Center may never have come true,” said Sandy Oliva, Executive Director of CADV at The Safe Center LI.
“Being able to recognize them together is really our honor as much as theirs. We also owe a debt of gratitude to Gary Melius for bringing us to this magnificent venue.”
The presentation of Mr. Melius’ award came from Bethpage Tribune publisher Linda Mangano, who cited the honoree’s enviable record in business and his support of charitable endeavors. In 1984, Mr. Melius acquired the former estate of Otto Kahn and restored it in to one of the finest venues of its kind in the United States. Since then, he has become a fixture among Long Island’s philanthropic leaders and a generous supporter of numerous causes including The Safe Center LI.
Other speakers included local politicians, athletes and victims of abuse. Proceeds of the event went to benefit Bethpage-based The Safe Center LI as it prepares to merge the Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CADV) and the Coalition Against Child Abuse and Neglect (CCAN) in to a single agency working hand in hand with police, medical and legal entities.
“This evening is about thanking people for their support and, of course, telling them we still need their support,” said Cynthia Scott, executive director of CCAN at The Safe Center LI. “The money raised this evening and the stories shared will ultimately benefit the people and communities of Long Island as our organization continues to grow.”
ABOUT THE SAFE CENTER: Located in an historic Grumman-era building at 15 Grumman Road W, Bethpage, The Safe Center LI is a specially designed space which allows for a close collaboration between the Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCCADV) and the Coalition Against Child Abuse and Neglect (CCAN). The Safe Center LI was established to protect, assist, and empower child and adult victims of family violence and sexual assault while challenging and changing social systems that tolerate and perpetuate abuse. For more information visit http://www.facebook.com/thesafecenterli.The telephone number for TSCLI is 516-465-4700; fax number is 516-465-4740. To book a training session go to http://www.ccanli.org, and http://www.cadvnc.org. The 24-hour domestic abuse hotline can be accessed at 516-542-0404.
Gina Pirozzi, G. Pirozzi Consulting, +1 212-228-1249, [email protected]
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