Annual Friends and Family VIP Night Raises over $475K for future scholarships and community causes

Adventureland, Long Island’s iconic amusement park, offering family fun for everyone since 1962, is excited to announce that it’s 8^th Annual Helping Hands Foundation Friends and Family VIP night was a huge success, raising over $475K from this event for future scholarships and to support community causes. $2.5 Million Dollars has been raised since the foundation was founded in 2013.

“WOW – what a fabulous fundraising event! The support we received on Friday night was incredible – seeing families of all ages enjoying the park all while supporting the foundation is something really special – playing games, enjoying snacks, buying raffles – all different ways of supporting the foundation on this special night,” said Jeanine Pacella, Adventureland’s Helping Hands Foundation Board Member. “Raising over $475K takes a village and we are honored to have you as part of it!”

Over 2,000 people attended the event at Adventureland in Farmingdale. The night had over 70 Long Island businesses and organizations sponsor and contribute to the event and over 50 donated raffle prizes. Team Fun, DJ Theo, DJ Justin Michaels and musician Albert Liu provided entertainment. Charlize Tuozzo sang the National Anthem and Catholic Faith Network’s Monsignor Jim Vlaun spoke and blessed the event. 

The highlight of the night was the awarding of 13 Vivian & Tony Gentile Scholarships for $5,000 each (totaling $65,000) to Long Island students attending New York based colleges. Since the start of the program, the foundation has awarded $462,000 in scholarship’s to local students.  

Brady Beddoe

Brady Beddoe won the Sachem Dental Group Scholarship. He is a graduate of Lindenhurst Senior High School. He is starting his freshman year at Farmingdale State College and majoring in Biology and Pre-Dental. 

“I just want to say that I am deeply honored to be able to receive this scholarship along with the many other students who have received these scholarships as well.”- Brady Beddoe

Jayla Bryan

Jayla Bryan won an Adventureland Employee Scholarship. She is a graduate of Wyandanch Memorial High School. Jayla will be attending Adelphi University and majoring in Computer Science. 

Allison Callahan 

Allison Callahan won an Adventureland Employee Scholarship. She is a graduate of Holy Trinity High School and is studying cosmetology at Brittany Beauty Academy. 

Sophia Corso 

Sophia Corso won a Breakthrough T1D Scholarship. She is from East Islip and is studying Nuclear Medicine Technology at Molloy University. 

Olivia Fligr 

Olivia Fligr is a graduate of Locust Valley High School. She is in her freshman year at Molloy University majoring in Nursing.  

“I am in shock that I won!  Thank you, thank you thank you! This is going to help me so much”-Olivia Fligr 

Makayla Frantzen

Makayla Frantzen won an Adventureland Employee Scholarship. She is a graduate of Island Trees. High Schol. She is entering her freshman year at Adelphi University majoring in Education/science. 

Haley Hannigan

Haley Hennigan won the Island Harvest Scholarship. She is a graduate of East Islip High School. She is entering her freshman year at Molly University, majoring in nursing. 

 “Thank you so much for choosing me as a recipient for your scholarship. I’m truly honored.” Haley Hannigan

Christian Hardiman

Christian Hardiman is a graduate of Plainedge High School. He is in his freshman year at Hofstra University, majoring in Finance and Accounting. 

“I am honored and grateful that I was chosen for this scholarship. Thank you again. I really appreciate it.” – Christian Hardiman

Raima Oberoi

Raima Oberio won an Adventureland Employee Scholarship. She is a graduate of Farmingdale High School. She is entering her freshman year at Hofstra University majoring in business analytics. 

“Thank you so much for this wonderful news! I am incredibly honored and grateful to have been selected as a recipient of the Vivian and Tony Gentile Employee Scholarship. I truly appreciate the Helping Hands Foundation and the Board of Directors for this generous support toward my education.
Thank you again for this incredible opportunity and for supporting me as I continue my education. I’m very grateful to be a part of the Adventureland community, and I look forward to celebrating with everyone in September!” -Raima Oberoi

Alina Ronayn

Alina Ronayn won an Adventureland Employee Scholarship. She is a graduate of Plainedge Senior High School. She is entering her freshman year at Molloy University, majoring in nursing. 

Julia Scourakis

Julia Scourakis is a graduate of Hampton Bays High School. She is entering her freshman year at Molloy University majoring in social work. 

 “Thank you so much for choosing me for this scholarship! This is so helpful for me and my family.” -Julia Scourakis

Amanda Sullivan

Amanda Sullivan is a graduate of Harmony Heights High School. She is entering her freshman year at Long Island University, majoring in digital art and design.  

Juyoung Yang

Juyong Yang is a graduate of John H. Glenn High School. He is entering his freshman year at Stony Brook University, majoring in Computer Science. 

About the Helping Hands Foundation:

Adventureland’s Helping Hands Foundation was created in 2013 with the goal of helping Long Island reach its potential. Tony Gentile, one of the founding fathers of Adventureland, always wanted to give back to the Long Island community, and this foundation was created in his memory to do just that.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of our supporters, we have raised over $2.5 Million for Long Island! We are thrilled to have reached this milestone and to be able to give back to the communities that have made Adventureland a part of their lives for over 60 years! 

Here’s how we give back to Long Island since 2013:

• $397,000+ in scholarships awarded through the Vivian and Tony Gentile Scholarship Program
• $850,000+ in grants and in-kind support pledged to Long Island nonprofits including:
• Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine
• Island Harvest
• Breakthrough T1D (formerly known as Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)
• Nassau Suffolk Services for Autism
• Stony Brook Child Life
• Catholic Health Services Long Island Good Samaritan Hospital
• Tyler Project
• $140,000+ in supplies donated to local schools and through our Clear the List program supporting Long Island teachers
• $80,000+ in food donated to the Town of Babylon Food Pantry
• $25,000 in PPE Equipment donated to local hospitals in 2020
• $20,000 donated through our bottle recycling program—we’ve recycled over 350,000 bottles to date
• $30,000+ in holiday gifts donated to the Town of Babylon Christmas Angels Program and Town of Oyster Bay Toys for Tots Program

Visit www.HelpingHandsLI.org to learn more about Adventureland’s Helping Hands Foundation.

Top  Photo Credit Ebeth Photography