Hailey’s Hope Foundation had their second annual cocktail and dinner benefit at the Manursing Island Club in Rye, New York on Saturday April 27, 2010.  At the benefit, Hailey’s Hope Foundation honored Brenda and John Fareri with the Hailey Zion Memorial Award for Community Spirit.  For those of you who have not yet heard of the Hailey’s Hope Foundation, they greatly help families in need who have premature and seriously ill babies who are hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital.  Here are some photos from the event.  If you were not able to come this year, I hope these photos inspire you to come to the Hailey’s Hope Foundation benefit next year.  In addition to raising money for an amazing organization, fun was had by everyone.  From the silent auction to the raffle items to the delicious food and drinks, the organizer for the benefit did a fabulous job.  The highlight was definitely the bonfire where we roasted marshmallows after dinner.

If you have never been to the Manursing Island Club in Rye, NY, it was definitely a lovely venue on the beach, which has beautiful beach views from the inside of the club.

I suppose it is a bit difficult to see in this photo, but the back wall of the Manursing Island Club is all glass that overlooks the beach.  So in this photo you might notice mini-burgers, but I see beautiful beach views.

The ambiance inside of the Manursing Island club was very nice as well.  It felt very summer-like, even though it was a bit chilly outside still.

Notice the hanging globe lanterns on the ceiling fans – very creative way to add some ambiance.

The darling baby in this photo was one of the many babies and families who have been helped by the Hailey’s Hope Foundation, which “offers assistance with hotel lodging, transportation, food and non-medical essential items (i.e., gift cards to purchase car seats, cell phones, etc.) to help ease the financial and emotional burdens these families face with frequent hospital visits and lengthy NICU stays.”

John and Brenda Fareri were honored with the Hailey Zion Memorial Award for Community Spirit at the event, because of their exceptional commitment and contributions to the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital that they started in the Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, New York.

Bill Mason (left) and Chris Meli (right) from Greenwich Commercial Property were one of the donors that had a table at the fundraiser.

Denis Joseph, also from Greenwich Commercial Property, had a great time.

On the way out to the bonfire, there was a canoe filled with ice and stocked with beer – how creative!

Here are some photos from the bonfire, where some people were bravely toasting marshmallows.  Even though it was a bit cold outside, if you got too close to the bonfire it was very hot.

Relaxing on the beach next to the bonfire.

Look at how happy everyone was at the bonfire – it really was such a great idea!

Here is a little movie clip from the bonfire:

Congratulations to the Hailey’s Hope Foundation on your successful and well done fundraiser!