Concert Raises $8K for Summer Together 2020

More than 90 local residents filled Castle Gould’s Great Hall at the Sands Point Preserve on February 6 for a fundraiser to launch Summer Together 2020, a volunteer-run program that funds summer camp scholarships and public-pool memberships for Port families in need.

The festive “Share the Love” themed concert raised more than $8,000. “It was great to see so many people and companies support this cause,” said event organizer Dilia Kamensky, a member of sponsoring organization Long Island Together. “Thank you especially to event co-sponsor Sands Point Preserve Conservancy for its commitment to Port’s kids.”

Summer Together’s 2020 goal is to raise $100,000 from private donations and foundation grants to support 100 local families this summer. The program is halfway there but faces an early spring deadline for camp and pool registrations. To make a tax-deductible donation online or for check mailing instructions visit longislandtogether.org/summertogether.

The concert was headlined by celebrated jazz vocalist Jessica Medina and her ensemble, with opening numbers from accomplished Bach to Rock student performers Aneesha Mirza, Jonathan Goldberg and Rebecca Packer. Bach to Rock’s Elana Hayden donated use of its equipment for the event. “The music was spectacular,” said Sonia Arora, a fellow event organizer. “We must give a big shout-out to Marina Tourevski and College Nannies, Tutors + Sitters for sponsoring Jessica Medina’s performance.”

Attendees enjoyed wine and delectables donated by local chefs and restaurants including Port Belly Chefs, Kalpana Bhandarkar, Chicken Kebab, Restaurant Yamaguchi, Narinatto Korean Casual Eatery and Chef Alex Lee. Raffle donors included Sands Point Preserve Conservancy, Bach to Rock, Blue Moon Project, Landmark on Main Street, Hairsay Salon, St. Honore Pastry Shop and Greenport Harbor Brewing Company.

In Summer Together’s second year in 2019 it funded 83 family pool memberships at Manorhaven Park and 25 campers who attended one week of local, specialized camps in dance, sports, science and music. Summer Together has been recognized by local granting organizations the Greentree Foundation Good Neighbor Fund, Dejana Family Foundation and Awesome Foundation.

Summer Together works closely with the Town of North Hempstead to implement the family pool memberships. Camps that have participated include Bach to Rock, Berest Dance Center, Blue Moon Project, Camp Invention, Parent Resource Center, Port Youth Activities and Unlimited Sports Action. Summer Together supports children of all faiths, races, ethnicities and backgrounds.

Long Island Together is a group of local community activists working to improve access to educational and enrichment opportunities for children, among other social justice causes. For further information email: summertogether@longislandtogether.org, or call Raju Rajan at 917-940-9556.