The Andrew McMorris Foundation Celebrates Its 2nd Annual (Virtual) Gala Fundraiser
The Andrew McMorris Foundation is proud to share the success of its 2nd Annual Gala Benefit. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it had to be a virtual affair this year, but it was no less successful thanks to our amazing donors, sponsors, volunteers, honorees and partners.
An Emotional Day
We always planned to hold our Galas on the anniversary of the day we lost Andrew. We never expected for this year’s Gala to also be the day that the trial finally reached its conclusion and we finally received justice for Andrew and Troop 161. The McMorris family and many of our board members drove straight from the final sentencing to the studio where the Gala was being livestreamed. To say it was an overwhelming and emotional day is understatement. We’re now awaiting the 2nd Circuit Appellate Court decision. To read more about the sentencing and trial, please check out this article from the Riverhead News Review.
Livestreaming a Virtual Gala
We knew that we’d have to do a virtual Gala this year, which led to a lot of technological problem-solving. Luckily, we had our producer, director, and editor David Lopez, production assistant Morgan Lynch, and the team at Bri-Tech to help us out.
You can watch the entire virtual gala here:
Our 2020 Honorees
BOBBY RABBITT | SENIOR DISTRICT EXECUTIVE OF BSA SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL
Bobby Rabbitt has been working for the Suffolk County Council of the BSA for the last 7+ years. His first 2 years he was the District Executive for the Matinecock district and then was transferred to the Benjamin Tallmadge District in 2015 where he was promoted to Senior District Executive. He continues to help the Suffolk County Council by actively working as the advisor to the council advancement committee and National Eagle Scout Association Chapter as well as running their annual popcorn fundraiser and Nightmare on Scouting Blvd. haunted attraction. Prior to working for the scouts, Bobby freelanced in the television and film industry where he worked for various entities such as the NHL, NFL, Town of North Hempstead and Town of Smithtown TV stations and TV 10/55.He earned his BFA in TV/Film/Radio production from NYIT in 2003.
Bobby has been married to his amazing wife Lori since 2005 and together they have three children, Blaise, Makenna, and Sierra. Blaise is currently a tenderfoot scout in Troop 74 in Coram and Makenna and Sierra are Webelos and Tiger scouts respectively in Cub Scout Pack 8 in Middle Island. Bobby is an Eagle Scout and while he works professionally for the scouts he also volunteers his time as an Assistant Scoutmaster in his son’s troop in Coram and also serves a co-head coach for his daughter Makenna’s travel softball team – the Longwood Thunder. Bobby is honored to be a part of the Andrew McMorris Foundation.
RICHARD MALLOW | NEW YORK STATE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR MOTHER’S AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING (MADD) AND NATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT OF FIELD OPERATIONS FOR MOTHER’S AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING (MADD)
Rich Mallow has been the New York State Executive Director for Mother’s Against Drunk Driving (MADD) for the past seven years and has recently been promoted to National Vice President of Field Operations. His role is to oversee all the victim advocates throughout the country which is one of the core values of the MADD Mission; to support the victims of these violent crimes. Over the years, Rich has accumulated a considerable amount of non-profit experience, serving Autism Speaks, United Way of Long Island and the Cancer Center for Kids through Winthrop Hospital. He also spent an entire career (24 years) in the printing industry. Beyond Rich’s career achievements, he believes his personal mission is to help MADD achieve its goal of No More Victims.
He is a graduate of State University of New York at Plattsburgh and has been married for over 32 years to his beautiful wife. He is the proud father of 2 children and has been blessed with 2 grandchildren. But most importantly he loves to spend time with his family and enjoys the simple things in life as he knows all too well how life can change in the blink of an eye. Rich is proud to be a part of Andrew McMorris Foundation and is truly honored to be chosen this year as their 2020 Honoree.
Our Sponsors
We couldn’t do this event without our amazing sponsors. Thank you to Riverhead Building Supply, Stonehenge Management Services, West RAC Contracting Corp, PSEG Long Island, RENU Contracting and Restoration, Harding Real Estate and Management, Bonnie Bryant Creative, Aurora Contractors, Hamptons Air, and the Oscher and Celina Majewski Family Trust. You can learn more about our sponsors and get a link to each of their websites here.
Raffle Prizes
If you went to our first Gala, you’ll remember our incredible, overflowing tables of raffle prizes from our generous donors. How could we compete with those in a virtual Gala, and how could we generate donations when people couldn’t see and touch raffle prizes?
Luckily, we had generous raffle donors who allowed us to offer raffle prizes to our virtual donors.
A big thank you to:
Special Thank Yous
Thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success:
Honore Cavaco for all her behind the scenes help
David Lopez
Bonnie Bryant Creative
Decadia Live, Andrew McMorris Foundation’s favorite band! They rocked it out even over a livestream! Thank you to Peter Cintorino, John Fox, Paul Kosak, Todd Lee, and special guest Torre Cintorino
Guest speakers Laura Goodale, Kim DiPaola, Dawn Schaefer, Bobby Rabbitt, Jim Grimaldi, Donna Lillie, Christine Creighton, Louis Parrinello, Richard Mallow, Melissa Carpenter, John and Alisa McMorris
Benefit performers Arianna McMorris and Jorge Mesa
Jim and Sally McMorris
Sloan Alexander
Morgan Lynch
Alexandra Carpenter
Bri-Tech
All of our amazing donors!
We hope to see you again in person at our 2021 Gala.
However, this virtual gala was such a smashing success that we’re exploring ways to add a livestream our future galas so people who can’t attend in person can join the fun, too!
