FCA Hosts Annual Fall Harvest Celebration

Dec 22, 2021 | Press Release

FCA honors Michael Dowling, Northwell Health CEO, & comes together for a night in support of Long Island’s most vulnerable.

GARDEN CITY, NEW YORK, November 18, 2021- FCA, Garden City-based nonprofit, hosted their 2021 Fall Harvest Celebration at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City on Thursday, November 18. Local political leaders, fellow organizations, businesses, donors, and supporters of all kinds came together for FCA’s annual event to help raise vital funds, allowing FCA to continue to provide lifesaving supports and services to over 30,000 Long Islanders a year.

FCA honored Michael Dowling, Northwell Health CEO, for his philanthropy and championing spirit for helping individuals across Long Island, and advocacy as an inspiring healthcare leader during the COVID-19 pandemic. FCA recognized his work in the fight against gun violence, his many professional achievements, charitable initiatives, and his extensive work across Long Island creating healthier communities for all.

FCA also recognized Michael Lessing and Senator Anna Kaplan with Humanitarian Awards. Michael Lessing, Lessing’s Hospitality President & COO, received the Jim Harnett Humanitarian Award for his leadership and commitment to his fellow Long Islanders. This award honors the work of former FCA CEO James J. Harnett who passed away in 2010. Jim was an outstanding visionary and leader who lived a life in service to others. This award honors Jim’s memory and the outstanding humanitarian efforts of its recipients.

Senator Anna Kaplan received the Carol Wessel Humanitarian Award for her dedication to those in need and endless efforts to create change for minority and underrepresented communities. This award honors the work of former FCA Trustee Carol Wessel who passed away in 2014. This award honors Carol’s memory and the exceptional charitable efforts and generosity of its recipients.

The event included client speaker and FCA Walkabout for Young Men & Women resident, Bejewel, who shared her inspiring story of rising above her challenging past to a bright and promising future, along with her experiences with FCA as program participant. She shared with the audience her struggles as a young girl and how FCA guided her to independent living and pursuing a degree in education.

“Gratitude has always been a central theme for FCA’s Fall Harvest Celebration and we were thrilled last night to thank dedicated community leaders like Michael Dowling, Anna Kaplan and Michael Lessing. The community once again rallied around FCA’s mission and as the needs in our community continue to increase, these funds will help us sustain programs that enhance the lives of children, young adults, seniors and families” said Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds, FCA President & CEO.

All proceeds from the Fall Harvest Celebration will help to enhance FCA’s programs and services for Long Island’s most vulnerable children, families, seniors and communities.

To learn more about upcoming FCA events, contact Special Events Manager, Nicole Flannery, at (516)746-0350 or NFlannery@FCALI.org. Additional information also available at FCALI.org.

About FCA

FCA is a not-for-profit agency helping more than 30,000 Long Islanders each year. For the last 137 years, the organization has worked to protect and strengthen vulnerable children, seniors, families and communities on Long Island.

FCA believes in the potential of Long Island – a place where no child, senior, family or community is left to struggle alone with barriers to health care, education, employment or economic prosperity. Long Island continues to be one of the greatest place in the world to live and raise a family for many; FCA exists to ensure that be the case for all.

For more information about FCA, visit FCALI.org

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