“What can be
nicer than spending a summer night at a beautiful house, being served a
delicious dinner, and socializing with people who, like you, believe in an
organization that is so important to our community?” One guest said as she
waved her arms around at the annual fundraising dinner for The SAFE Foundation.
Held in the gorgeous backyard of Sarah and Eddie Gindi’s home on August 20th,
The SAFE Dinner was, as it always is, an educational and thoroughly enjoyable
evening.
Eddie Gindi, Vice President of The SAFE Foundation,
welcomed and thanked everyone for coming out to support The Project SAFE School
Program, SAFE’s clinical team of therapists, and of course the many individuals
and families who are touched by addiction.
He then spoke about the dinner’s honoree, Mayor
Harry I. Franco, A”H, “The SAFE Foundation was fortunate to call Mayor Franco
its friend. He believed in our cause, in educating our youth, and in
encouraging parents to be active in their children's lives. He has made calls
to SAFE when he was concerned for a specific child or adult and worked in
conjunction with SAFE to ensure the safety of our community.”
At that point, the Franco family came to the stage
to receive the 2nd Annual Sonny I. Gindi, A”H Merit Award, which was
established by the Gindi family in memory and honor of their father, Sonny I.
Gindi, A”H, who helped to improve the lives of so many.
After this, screens strategically placed throughout
the yard came alive with a film highlighting all that The SAFE Foundation does.
The movie camera traveled into Project SAFE classrooms, showing animated
teachers teaching students about self-esteem, resisting peer pressure, and
other vital life-skills. The lens then went into therapy sessions in the SAFE
building, showing how counselors interact with their clients, speaking about
overcoming the lures of addiction.
One thing that was evident as both the teachers and
the counselors spoke was how much sincerity, intelligence, and confidence they
exuded.
Joey Cabasso then took to the stage to close the
presentation. He told how The SAFE Foundation saved his life.
He stated that The Project SAFE School Program is
The Foundation’s way of being committed to prevention. He said, “As they say, ‘an
ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.’”
Then Joey cited some of SAFE’s stats:
54% of clients are under the age of 21
37 % of clients are abusing prescription pills
25% of clients are abusing marijuana
22% of clients are abusing alcohol
16% of clients are abusing a combination of other
drugs.
NY State graduates 34 % of its clients. SAFE
graduates 75% of its clients
NY State improves client employment by 35%. SAFE
improves client improvement by 69%.
As the event winded down, guests lingered, enjoying
friends, the deserts, and the feeling of knowing that they spent the evening supporting
a cause they believe in.
The SAFE Foundation wishes to acknowledge and thank
the sponsor of the evening, Bank Hapoalim; party coordinator Norma Cohen, and Sarah
and Eddie Gindi and their family for their tremendous efforts in hosting this
event.
(The Franco Family Honorees)
A version of this article was published in Image and Community Magazine.
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