BBBSLI's 14th Annual Presidential Gala Raises $275K

Big Brothers Big Sisters of LI (BBBSLI) of Levittown held their 14th Annual Presidential Gala on Oct. 4 at the Crest Hollow Country Club. Over 400 guests attended and the event raised $275,000 for BBBSLI and honored ‘Woman and Men of the Year’ Sandra Capek-O’Grady, Michael Brown, and Steven Goodman.

The evening was led by Master of Ceremonies Jed Morey, CEO of the Morey Organization, and featured an opening performance by 15 members of Hofstra’s elite Sigma’Capella group. 

Guest speaker Angela Albelo, originally of Columbia and a proud single-mother of two sons enrolled in the BBBSLI mentoring program, spoke of how BBBSLI was able to bring joy back into their lives by matching both of her boys with a mentor.   

 “I came to BBBSLI because I have no family here and no one to care,” said Angela. “I feel like they are my family. Big Brothers Big Sisters put quality people in our lives, our “Bigs” are the right people for my sons.”  

The evening’s ‘Woman and Men of the Year’ have given much of their time and experience to help better the lives of the youth and less fortunate in the Long Island community.  

Michael Brown, Vice President of Operations at Atlantic Auto Group and former four-year letterman for Boston University’s Division 1AA football team, has not only enjoyed much business success, he has inspired and is loved by employees and is committed to making a difference in the lives of others. “After hearing Angela’s speech I am truly humbled to be up on this stage," Brown said.

Sandra Capek-O’Grady is the Senior Director for BNY Mellon Wealth Management Group in it’s New York region and is Vice President of the Board of the Cold Spring Laboratory Library, a member of the Board of the New York City Police Museum and a member of the Estate Planning Council of Nassau County.

A continuous supporter of BBBSLI, Sandra spoke of her commitment during her acceptance speech. “What about the children that have no one to turn to? I got involved to be a champion for this organization," she said. 

Steven Goodman, President and CEO of SHG Financial Group, is a committed Big Brother and member of the BBBSLI Board of Directors. For the past 20 years, he has provided clients with insightful solutions to the challenges of business succession, wealth preservation and charitable planning, while raising two children with his wife and mentoring Marco, now 19 and a sophomore at University of Pennsylvania.

 “I got involved in BBBSLI because young people’s development and education are what will keep this country continuing to be the greatest country," Goodman said.

Photo L-R: 'Man of The Year’ Michael Brown, VP of Operations of Atlantic Auto Group, Bill Tymann,  CEO of BBBSLI, ‘Woman of the Year’ Sandra Capek, Senior Director for BNY Mellon Wealth Management Group, and ‘Man of the Year’ Steven Goodman. Credit: BBBSLI.