HeartShare raised almost $600,000 at its 2015 Spring Gala and Auction on Thursday, March 26, 2015 at the New York Marriott Marquis. Over 950 guests attended the Gala, which is HeartShare’s premiere event.

HeartShare honored Z100 Radio Host Elvis Duran. “If all of New York doesn’t win, none of us win. So, it’s our job, along with HeartShare, to make sure everyone in New York has a chance to win and be winners,” Duran noted, articulating HeartShare’s core commitment to help children, adults and families reach their full potential. “It is our great honor to help those in our care,” said President and CEO Bill Guarinello who proudly leads HeartShare, an organization now in its second century of providing quality programs and services to New York’s most vulnerable populations.

HeartShare also honored FOX 5’s Good Day New York Traffic Reporter, Ines Rosales, Finance Executive Joseph Mark Velli, Director, Paychex, Inc. and Computershare Limited, as well as Patrick Clarke, President of Celtic General Contractors, who rebuilt pro-bono HeartShare’s Angels on the Bay Evaluation Center in Queens, following Superstorm Sandy. The Center evaluates and diagnoses young children with intellectual and developmental delays for early intervention.

Among those program participants reaching their potential at HeartShare is Darron, who is diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities and addressed Gala guests regarding his HeartShare job training and work with green cleaning business, Cleaning with Meaning. A video feature also highlighted twin girls diagnosed with autism who transitioned from a HeartShare special needs pre-school to a mainstream Universal Pre-K classroom.

To support the silent auction, actor Danny Aiello personally sold autographed copies of his memoir to select guests. Other notable guests included actors Abigail Hawk and Gregory Jbara from CBS police drama Blue Bloods, Get Smart actress “Agent 99” Barbara Feldon, Gilligan’s Island “Ginger Grant” actress Tina Louise and Sopranos actors Dan Grimaldi and Tony Sirico. HeartShare Board Member Rosanna Scotto and Mike Woods of FOX 5’s Good Day New York came out to celebrate their colleague, Ines Rosales. Radio personalities Danielle Monaro and Bethany Watson from the Elvis Duran and the Morning Show also joined in the festivities. HeartShare Board Member and Q104.3 Radio Show Host Jim Kerr served as the Master of Ceremonies.

During its mobile pledge campaign, in which guests texted donations throughout the evening, HeartShare reached its $50,000 goal. The Spring Gala and Auction directly benefits HeartShare’s programs that serve over 42,200 New Yorkers in need.