STATEN ISLAND, NY — On Friday evening, almost 250 guests gathered in LiGrec’s Staaten Grand Ballroom to celebrate the Merimieseutra’s Children and Families Hope Gala.
Those present at the West Brighton catering hall had a common mission to support the old organization and enable its goal of providing the highest quality services in the community and strengthening and preserving families.
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Seamen’s club’s hope gala
Proceeds from the evening benefit the organization’s programs that comfort and protect Staten Island’s most vulnerable residents – children and families facing challenges such as domestic violence, substance abuse and mental health issues.
The party chairs were Caroline Ferreri and Danielle Raleigh.
Jeanne Raleigh was the president of the magazine.
The Seamen’s Society recognized several outstanding local leaders for their outstanding contributions to the Staten Island community, including Joseph Manzo of Staten Island Technical High School and Lynne Persing, who received the Safe Harbor Award, and Debbie and Julio Vale, who received the 2025 Joan Arnold Award.
CEREMONIAL PROGRAM
Tatiana Mroczek, Miss Staten Island 2022, led the program with a heartfelt rendition of the national anthem, while Matthew Tesoriero gestured in sign language.
Maureen Higgins, Senior Development Coordinator, offered welcoming remarks:
“It is truly an honor to be a part of an organization that has served New York’s most vulnerable for nearly 180 years,” he said. From foster care to counseling and supporting young people, the Seamen’s Society works tirelessly to ensure that children and families not only survive, but thrive. With your support here tonight, the Seamen’s Society can continue to help children and families build safe, stable and successful futures.”
David W. Gaskin, President and CEO of the Seamen’s Society, spoke the poignant words:
“With nearly 180 years of standing behind children in crisis, the Seamen’s Society has been a trusted presence in our community,” he noted. “We help shape the future, one life at a time. We have a family support program. We have had a domestic violence program for almost 30 years, a recently expanded mental health program and an education center on the northern shore. This “Toivogala” plays an important role in making all of this possible. Together, we respond to needs and open doors. Thank you for your support and the Meriseura.
Director of Development Teresa Cirelli thanked everyone present and commented:
“I also want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to our incredible Gala Chairs, Danielle Raleigh and Caroline Ferrer, and our Journal Director, Jeanne Raleigh. Your tireless dedication, hard work, and passion have made this evening possible, and we truly could not have done it without you! Together, you have made this evening a celebration of support, and we are so grateful Sailors to the club.”
Echoing Cirelli’s speech, Ferreri expressed his gratitude to his chairmen and committee members who contributed to the success of the evening.
“We are deeply grateful for your support tonight,” Cirelli added before going on to acknowledge Public Administrator Edwina Frances Martin and State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spantonia, both of whom were in attendance.
Presenting the honorary award, Joseph Manzon Cirelli said:
“It is a great pleasure and honor to present this year’s Safe Harbor Award to someone whose dedication, compassion and quiet leadership have had a lasting impact – not only on the Seamen’s Society, but on generations of students and families across Staten Island. Your continued support of the Seamen’s Society, your leadership in education and your commitment to the community make you more than deserving of this recognition: your continued presence, a source of support, and a guiding light for others, especially young people navigating life’s challenges.”
Accepting the award, Manzo remarked, “Our world is obsessed with influencers and influencers. In politics, in business, and definitely in social media, influence is powerful. But in a culture that worships influence, I believe that encouragement is even more powerful. Influence can gain likes and followers. Encouragement changes lives. A kind word, a gesture, anyone can make a difference – and that small act – and it lifts everyone. The Mariners’ Club has made over 175 years. They do what great parents, foster parents, leaders and teachers do – they encourage. They lift up families when life is hard, guide children through rough waters, and remind us all of what compassion looks like in action. This evening is not just a gala or a fundraiser – it is a celebration of encouragement itself.”
Manzo went on to explain that his biggest encouragers have been his parents, mentors, wife, family, friends and students.
At Wagner College, Manzo was encouraged by Dr. Joseph “Joedy” Smith—a longtime leader of the Seamen’s Society—who introduced him to the mission of seamen and the annual toy drives that became part of his life’s work and my…
“Our life’s work is rooted in the conviction that service, leadership, scholarship and character are not abstract ideals. I accept this honor on behalf of my family, Dr. Jody Smith, my colleagues, and the generations of students who have done the hard work—literally—to keep this tradition alive.”
In introducing Persing, Gaskin described his acts of kindness that benefited the people of Staten Island.
“For decades, Lynne has been an unwavering supporter of our mission, especially when it comes to one of the most meaningful investments we can make: the continuing education of young adults in our foster care program. Through her unwavering support of our scholarship program, Lynne has helped open doors and build futures for so many young people in our community. Thanks to her, students are once-unimagined challenges. dreams, achieve their goals, and create new opportunities for themselves and to their families.”
Persing congratulated his fellow honorees for supporting the Seamen’s Society.
“After two days of retirement, I realized I had to participate. I gave it serious thought and thought about the Seamen’s Society for Children and Families and the Geller House. Later, when I attended a dinner at the Seamen’s Society where a young man told his life story—it was a miracle that he survived and went to college. With the help of this society, he was truly familyable With sailors. I am truly blessed to receive this award.”
Carrie Knight, of the Seamen’s Society program staff, presented the Joan Arnold Award to Debbie and Julio Vale.
“Together, Julio and I have built a big, beautiful family. We are proud parents of eight, grandparents of 10, and great-grandparents of five. We also have the privilege of being foster parents to relatives. It was something we never expected, and honestly, something we didn’t even know existed until ACS came to our door with two little girls. We want to thank everyone from her husband once again for this meaningful thank you. recognition.”
As the evening progressed, guests enjoyed the casino room, which was filled with gaming tables and lottery baskets.
INFORMATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ABOUT THE SEAFRONT
Founded in 1846 and based in St. George, Seamen’s Society serves more than 1,250 children and 500 families in Staten Island and Brooklyn through foster care, adoption, family support services, health services, domestic violence services, tutoring and scholarships.
Through the years it a unique legacy has been a haven for New York families in crisis.
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