An event to help empower North Fork youth will be held Thursday night as the Starfish Ball takes place at The Vineyard on Main Road in Aqueboge.
The event, which takes place from 6 to 10 p.m., includes an auction, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, and dancing to music by Sahara — and Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski will be honored.
According to Susan Toman, executive director of The Guidance Center in Southold, the event is the fourth annual fundraiser. Past honorees have included Josephines Watkins Johnson, on her 90th birthday, Vanessa Mims, Jennifer J. Maertz, Dennis & Sandra Kaser, and Charlene Halsey Mascia, resource coordinator for the East End Regional Intervention Council.
All funds raised supported The Guidance Center, which works to help kids remain proactive against drugs and alcohol.
“Recently, through the outstanding commitment of our Legislator Al Krupski, The Guidance Center received a $5000 grant, which came through the youth bureau, to cover maintenance and operation costs,” Toman said. “This grant allowed The Guidance Center to have 20 youth attend summer wellness free for two weeks.”
The funds, she said, have supported the teen prevention dances, as well as some of the prevention and intervention work The Guidance Center has provided,
The community has come together, Toman said, answering the call to prevent underage drinking and reduce substance abuse, and to strengthen our families with prevention education.
“With the lean years we have all experienced, it wasn’t clear if The Guidance Center could continue to offer the services we so passionately believe in, including the need to eradicate the spread of Lyme disease, connecting community members with resources from financial help, and housing, to health care, and veterans’ services,” Toman said. “As the CEO, I appealed to Legislator Krupski for his help with the work we were doing.”
Looking forward, the goal is to start an after-school homework/wellness club, Toman said.
Tickets to the event cost $50 or $90 for a couple and are available at the door.
