Past Events Archives - Friends of Karen

Cinco de Mayo Party

admin — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 15:42:46 +0000

THURSDAY, MAY 1ST | 7-10PM
COLISEUM
15 SOUTH BROADWAY
WHITE PLAINS, NY

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Friends of Karen 5K Team at the Long Island Marathon

admin — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 21:38:48 +0000

Join our Friends of Karen 5K Team at the Long Island Marathon!

Friday, May 2, 2025 | Eisenhower Park | Race Start 8:00PM

The Friends of Karen Team has 200+ walkers and runners who participate in the Long Island Marathon Friday Night Lights 5K! Our team gathers at the Friends of Karen tent from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM to pick up singlets and race bibs. Before the race kicks off, enjoy the food truck festival and live entertainment. At 7:30 PM, we make our way to the starting line for a short presentation and team photo before the race officially begins!

As the sun sets, our team gathers at the team tent from 6:00 pm -7:30 pm to collect their singlets and race bibs. The atmosphere is electrifying, with a bustling food truck festival and live music setting the stage for an unforgettable experience. At 8:00 pm, participants take to the cart path of the Eisenhower Golf Course, guided by the glow of the headlamps we provide.

But it’s not just about the race; it’s about camaraderie. Whether running or walking, participants of all ages come together to share in the joy of supporting Friends of Karen and the families we serve.

Ways To Get Involved!

Joining the Team:
Participants who join our team contribute to our fundraising efforts because a portion of your entry fee goes back to Friends of Karen to directly supports families in need.
Fundraising:
Individuals can create personalized fundraising pages to further bolster our efforts in providing stability and support to families navigating the challenges of a life-threatening illness.
Team Corporate Sponsor:
Companies that sponsor the team will have their logo prominently displayed on the back of participants’ race shirts, reaching an audience of over 4,000 people. Additionally, your logo will be featured on the sponsor banner at the Friends of Karen Tent, enhancing your brand’s visibility and community impact.
Corporate Challenge:
Companies can partake in this exhilarating team-building activity, vying for the honor of being awarded the prestigious Corporate Challenge trophy by raising the most funds collectively.

Registration & Payment Options:

All individuals must register to participate. All walkers/runners must wear the Long Island Marathon bib that is provided on the day of the race.

Choose Your Payment Option:

Pay the $65 registration fee

Or

Create a fundraising page and raise funds to cover the cost

The money you raise will help provide financial, emotional, and advocacy support for hundreds of families whose child is battling cancer or another life-threatening illness.

For sponsorship information, please contact Leslie Bellissimo at lesliebellissimo@friendsofkaren.org or call (631) 473-1768 ext. 904

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Journey of the Heart Bike Tour

admin — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 19:30:12 +0000

September 13-14, 2025
Litchfield County, Connecticut

Be Part of a Winning Team and Community that Cares…

Friends of Karen
21st Annual “Journey of the Heart” Bike Tour
September 13-14, 2025
Litchfield County, Connecticut

We invite you to become a sponsor for Friends of Karen’s 21st Annual “Journey of the Heart” Bike Tour and be part of a community that cares for and helps critically ill children and their families. Your support will bring help, hope, and support to children and their families in the New York Tri-State region.

You can join Friends of Karen and be a lifeline for families caring for children battling cancer or another life-threatening illness.

Your sponsorship will help relieve families of their financial hardship when caring for a critically ill child. With you by our side, Friends of Karen can help families pay for mounting medical expenses, food, childcare, sibling support, travel cost to and from treatment, and more, at no cost to families.

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Adina’s Angels 5K Family Fun Walk

admin — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 19:53:02 +0000

September 28, 2025 – 9:00am
Location: Rockland Lake State Park – Valley Cottage, NY

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Adina’s Angels was established fifteen years ago in 2010 as a legacy for Adina and her brother Justin. It is also a tribute to their father, Steven, who passed away four months before them. With every step you take, and your support, Adina’s Angels ensures every family member will have Friends of Karen professionals by their side throughout their difficult journey.

The Adina’s Angels Fund at Friends of Karen is named in memory of Adina Berkowitz, who lost her 4-year battle with leukemia at the age of 17. Justin, Adina’s 20-year-old brother, died unexpectedly only two weeks before Adina.

The Adina’s Angels Fund helps Friends of Karen to provide vital, practical, and comprehensive support, at no cost, to families caring for a child with cancer or another life-threatening illness. It particularly strengthens support for siblings coping with their brother’s or sister’s illness.

Friends of Karen helps families with everyday needs and concerns, at no cost, so they have more time for what’s most important: each other.

Questions? Please contact Gwen Salmo at Friends of Karen, 914-617-4051 or gwensalmo@friendsofkaren.org.

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Defying Gravity: Friends of Karen New York City Gala

admin — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 17:16:47 +0000

Thursday, October 30, 2025
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Tribeca Rooftop
2 Desbrosses Street
New York, NY 10013

Join us for a spectacular evening under the stars at the beautiful Tribeca Rooftop to celebrate resilience, remembrance, and rising together. With panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline as our backdrop, the evening will feature heartfelt stories, exceptional gourmet food and drink, and exciting opportunities to give.

Together, we’ll lift up children with life-threatening illnesses and their families — helping them defy the gravity of diagnosis, treatment, and uncertainty with strength, dignity, and support.

Your support helps families defy the emotional gravity of illness, grief, and uncertainty by lifting them with care, love, and presence.

This year, we are proud to honor Friends of Karen Board Member, Michael Roberts and his wife Michelle; valued supporter, Jordan Edwards of Mixology; and longtime volunteer Charles Plaveczky of KPMG. Their dedication and advocacy have helped expand our reach and deepen our impact.

Whether you’re a longtime supporter or attending your first Friends of Karen event, this gala promises to be unforgettable.

Sponsorships, Tables, and Tickets
2025 Friends of Karen New York City Gala

Please contact Leslie Bellissimo at 631-473-1768 ext. 904 or lesliebellissimo@friendsofkaren.org for sponsorship or ticket information.

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AlwaysGold Gala

tgapinski — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 21:40:44 +0000

STARS OF HOPE: Friends of Karen Long Island AlwaysGold Gala

Thursday, March 12, 2026
6:00 – 10:30 PM

Oheka Castle
135 West Gate Drive
Huntington, NY 11743

Lights, camera, compassion! Walk the red carpet and join us at Oheka Castle for a Hollywood-inspired Stars of Hope Gala!

Set against the grandeur of Long Island’s most iconic estate, the Friends of Karen AlwaysGold Stars of Hope Gala will shine brightly with inspiring family stories, an elegant dinner, spirited bidding opportunities, and the warmth of a community united in compassion.

Together, we’ll lift up children with life-threatening illnesses and their families -helping them rise above the emotional gravity of diagnosis, treatment, and uncertainty with strength, dignity, and unwavering support.

Your generosity helps families move forward with hope, providing compassionate wrap-around services that ease emotional, financial, and practical burdens during the most difficult moments of their lives.

This year, we are proud to honor two longtime supporters and volunteers:

Joe DiSalvo, of RXR
Vinny Pappalardo, of Premier Payroll

Their leadership, advocacy, and dedication continue to expand our reach and deepen our impact across the region.

Whether you’ve been part of the Friends of Karen family for decades or are attending your very first event, the AlwaysGold Stars of Hope Gala promises to be an unforgettable night of purpose, beauty, and heart.

Sponsorships, Tables, and Tickets:

Click here to purchase
For additional information, please contact:
Leslie Bellissimo
631-473-1768 ext. 904
lesliebellissimo@friendsofkaren.org

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