Gilda’s Club Westchester
AnnuAL
GALA
March, 26 2015
LIFE, The Place to Be
Join us...
The mission of Gilda’s Club Westchester is to create
welcoming communities of free support for everyone living with
cancer — men, women, teens and children — along
with their families and friends.
Our innovative programs are an essential complement
to medical care, providing individual counseling, support
groups, workshops, education and social activities.
Gilda’s Club Westchester would like to recognize
2015 Gala Partner
Amy Frolick and Brad Eric Scheler/Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson, LLP
Mayo and Elizabeth Cohn Stuntz
The Yasgur Family
2015 Gala Benefactors
Stephen and Debbie Chapin
James and Jane Stern
2015 Gala Patrons
Carole M. Bass, Moses & Singer, LLP
John Barnes, Reckson, SL Green
Jayne Lipman and Bob Goodman
Harri Taranto and Sylvia Lavietes
Dr. Julie and Mr. Jason Monroe
Wendi and Ed Schechter
Jeff and Susie Stern
2015 Gala Sponsors
Joseph and Yusi Gurrera, Citarella
Gary and Nancy Rones
2015 Gala Supporters
Michele and Wayne Benach
M&T Bank
Ellen Brooks and Marshall Cohen
Andrea and Andy Potash
Thomas Coughlin, The Coughlin Group
Susan and Glenn Rones
Leslie and Cindy Valk-Danish
Rabbi Jeffrey Sirkman
Robert and Joan Easton
Peter and Dale Wang
Sanford and Brianne Goldstein
Gil and Susie Wang
Kathy and Paul Harnick
Linda and Ken Wiltsek
Arnold Kotzen, Lloyds Planning Services, LLC
Lisa and Richard Witten
Jon and Ellen Litt
Gilda’s Club Westchester
2015 Gala Committee
Gala Committee Co-Chairs
Michele and Wayne Benach
Carol Bennett
Stephen and Debbie Chapin
Susie and Gil Wang
Gala Committee
Tracey Aaron
Carole M. Bass
Laura and Michael Beber
Cindy Valk-Danish and Leslie Danish
Doreen and Neil Davidowitz
Rosalind and David Gordon
Pam Jones
Julie Monroe
Amy Frolick and Brad Scheler
Lisa Shpilberg
Mayo and Elizabeth Cohn Stuntz
Stacey Wechsler
Gilda’s Club Westchester
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Cindy Valk-Danish
President
Emeritus Board
Amy Frolick
Barbara Bennett-Rones*
Carol Bennett
Vice President
Bede Levinson
Rosalind Gordon, Esq.
Robin Poses Markell
Secretary
Stephen C. Chapin
Treasurer
Harri Taranto
Immediate Past President
Tracey Aaron
Susan M. Barossi
Carole Bass
Joyce Neibart
Gary A. Schnorr
Elizabeth Cohn Stuntz
Laurie Thomas
Gil Wang
Susie Wang
Co-Founders
Robin Poses Markell
Susie Wang
Doreen Davidowitz
Jonathan Litt
Julie Monroe, MD
Dru Pyne*
*In Memoriam
Gilda’s Club Westchester Staff
MELISSA LANG, DrPH, MPH
Chief Executive Officer
LIZ BARNETT
Social Worker Intern
MIRANDA DOLD, LCSW
Director of Outreach and Program Development
STEPHANIE FALK
Director of Development
JUDY FREEMAN
Program Administrator
ERICA FOREST
Clinical Social Worker
SARAH GOLDSTEIN
Special Events Manager
MARISSA MADONIA
Senior Development Manager
JEN SCULLY, ATR-BC
Director of Youth Programs and Quality Improvement
ESSIE STECKLER
Program Associate
STACY WEISSBERG, LCSW
Director of Clinical Programs
Gilda’s Club Westchester
HONORING
Harri Taranto
The Red Door Award
Wendi Schechter
The Barbara Bennett-Rones Volunteer of the Year Award
&
Reckson, A Division of SL Green
The Corporate Honoree
F E AT U R I N G
Comedy provided by Gotham Comedy Club
The 2015 Corporate Honoree
Reckson, a division of SL Green Realty Corp., is the largest owner of Class A
properties in Westchester County, NY and Fairfield County, CT, with a total
tri-state portfolio of 33 properties comprising over 5 million square feet of
commercial and retail space in urban and suburban settings alike. The
portfolio is known for its signature “Best in Class” buildings.
A strong focus on tenant amenities, from on-site fitness facilities, gourmet
cafeterias to our full service concierge desk; distinguishes Reckson properties
in the suburban market. Tenants have access to on site auditoriums, board
rooms and state of the art video conference centers. Leasing, property
management, construction and a state of the art architectural design studio
are offered as in-house services enhancing tenant satisfaction.
Reckson is a proud supporter of Gilda's Club Westchester and has been a
major sponsor of the last five GIlda's Club Westchester Golf Invitational's,
The First and Second Annual Gilda's Stair Climb's, and the past five Gilda's
Club Westchester's Annual Comedy Gala's. Not only does Reckson
continuously provide Gilda's Club Westchester with generous financial
support, but they also have been quite helpful in helping the organization
with the facilities in the White Plains Clubhouse by donating furniture and
helping with maintenance issues.
Gilda's Club Westchester is incredibly appreciative of the dedication Reckson
has shown our organization and is proud to recognize them as the 2015
Corporate Honoree.
Harri Taranto
The 2015 Red Door Honoree
Harri V. Taranto is a co-founder and partner of Symphony Capital LLC, a
private equity firm that collaborates with small biotechnology companies to
fund and develop their promising drug candidates. Prior to founding
Symphony in 2002, he was a Managing Director and co-founder of
Wilkerson Partners, a healthcare and life sciences strategy consulting firm.
Previously, Mr. Taranto was a co-founder and partner, for 17 years, with The
Wilkerson Group, Inc. and its successor, TWG/IBM Healthcare Consulting,
where he was head of the Global Pharmaceutical practice.
Prior to joining TWG, Mr. Taranto was a consultant with McKinsey &
Company. He earned an M.B.A. in Finance from Columbia University and
received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Yale University.
Mr. Taranto serves on the board of Gilda’s Club Westchester, where he is
the immediate past President. Currently he also serves as President of the
Board of Trustees of Larchmont Temple and as Co-Chair of the President’s
Parents’ Council at the Rhode Island School of Design. In addition, Mr.
Taranto serves on the Business Council of Solera Capital LLC, the Board of
Directors of MIQS, Inc. and the Advisory Council of HealthRight
International.
Wendi Schechter
The 2015 Barbara Bennett-Rones
Volunteer of the Year Award
The Barbara Bennett-Rones Volunteer of the Year Award honors
outstanding individuals within the community whose volunteerism and
public service makes a difference in other's lives. This year, that honor goes
to the charismatic and insightful Wendi Schechter.
Wendi became involved with Gilda's Club Westchester when Barbara
Bennett-Rones, a dear friend, was diagnosed with breast cancer and hasn’t
looked back since. Cancer has impacted her life, as both she and her sister,
along with her parents, were all diagnosed. This has made her commitment
to Gilda’s Club that much stronger.
In addition to serving on Gilda’s Board of Directors for 9 years, chairing the
nominating committee and co-chairing several Gala’s, Wendi’s involvement
runs much deeper. She is currently in the process of developing a ReEngagement Resource Council, in the hopes of re-awakening the interest
and passion of our mission to people who were involved with Gilda’s from
its inception.
Wendi is proud of the work she does for Gilda’s Club Westchester and
thrilled to be this year’s Barbara Bennett-Rones Volunteer of the Year
honoree.
Barbara Bennett-Rones*
Founding Patron and Board Member
It is with gratitude, humility and deepest respect that we once again honor the memory of
our beloved Board Member and Founding Patron, Barbara Bennett-Rones.
Daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend, one to emulate, Barbara was all of these and so
much more. She touched the lives of so many with her love, wisdom and compassion.
Her contagious smile, her sound judgment and her fair-mindedness all served her well in
her chosen field, guidance.
While raising her family, volunteerism and commitment to public service were always
important aspects of Barbara’s life. She wore several hats on the Mamaroneck Board of
Education, and eventually became its President from 1998-2000. She was the recipient
of the Sunny Award, given by the LMC-TV, which honors an outstanding individual within
the community who makes a difference in other’s lives.
Perhaps closest to her heart, was Barbara's involvement with Gilda's Club Westchester.
She truly understood the importance of the psychological and social support that Gilda's
Club provides. She was determined to attract participation from those she knew, and her
effort had tremendous impact on the Club's development. Her spirit continues to be felt
in the success of Gilda's Club Westchester through her children. Both Jody and Stacy, and
their friends, have helped organize an annual comedy fundraiser and remain dedicated to
raising awareness about Gilda’s Club Westchester.
Barbara's greatest legacy is the way she lived life to the fullest. Barbara inspires the best
in all of us, and we remember her with much admiration, lasting appreciation, and
enduring love.
*In Memoriam
Platinum Door Page
Wishing a heartfelt congratulations to
the honorees
−−−
In loving memory of
Barbara Bennett-Rones
Dorothy Wasserman
Doris Gershenov
and
Joseph Seibald
The Yasgur Family
Sylvia, Joey, Rachel and Jamie
Platinum Door Page
RED DOOR AD
Congratulations to
Harri Taranto
Wendi Schechter
And
Reckson, A Division of SL Green
With admiration of and
appreciation for the crucial
difference you have made in the
lives of so many living with cancer
Mike and Liz Stuntz
Platinum Door Page
New York | Washington DC | London | Paris | Frankfurt | Hong Kong | Shanghai
Fried Frank is proud to support
Gilda’s Club Westchester
and joins in honoring and
we extend our congratulations to
Harri Taranto
recipient of the Red Door Award,
Wendi Schechter
recipient of the Barbara Benett-Rones Volunteer
of the Year Award, and
Reckson, A Division of SL Green
recipient of the Corporate Partner Award.
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
| friedfrank.com
Red Door Page
Congratulations to the
dedicated honorees and staff of
Gilda’s Club Westchester
Jane and James Stern
Red Door Page
WHAT AN HONOR IT IS TO HONOR OUR FRIEND
HARRI TARANTO
DEBBIE AND STEVE CHAPIN
Gold Door Page
In loving memory
of
Susan Merolla
Margie Merolla
Rosalind Forse
Susan Sirkman
Harri Taranto
Sylvia Lavietes
Gold Door Page
Congratulations
and all my love to my wife
Wendi
on this well‐deserved honor.
Eddie
Gold Door Page
My sincerest thanks to all at
Gilda’s Club Westchester.
I am truly honored to be named the
Barbara Bennett‐Rones Volunteer of the Year.
Wendi
Gold Door Page
Full_Gold Door
Wendi
Our dear friend....We thank you for all you have done and continue to do for GCW,
with Love, Thoughtfulness, and Enthusiasm.
It is so wonderful that you are receiving the
Barbara Bennett-Rones Volunteer of the Year Award!
We know that she is smiling for her friend.
We also honor tonight
Harri Taranto & Reckson
for their commitment to Gilda's Club Westchester
With Love & Respect
Gary & Nancy Rones
Carol Bennett
and
Our Families
Gold Door Page
Many thanks to all those who’ve worked
to make Gilda’s a supportive society
And congratulations to our friend Harri Taranto
Jayne Lipman & Bob Goodman
Gold Door Page
Congratulations to
Gilda’s Club Westchester
for another outstanding year
of exceptional programming
Ellen and Howard Lazarus
Gold Door Page
Gold Door Page
Congratulations Harri on an honor well deserved
Dr Julie and Mr Jason Monroe
Gold Door Page
WE SALUTE
TONIGHT’S HONOREES
as you are recognized by
GILDA’S CLUB
WESTCHESTER
for all you do to support
those living with cancer,
along with their families
and friends,
WE SALUTE YOU.
Gold Door Page
Gold Door Page
We're just wild about Harri…
Congratulations, Harri!
With appreciation for all that you do for Gilda's
and with gratitude to everyone at Gilda's Club!
Ellen and Marshall
White Door Page
Harri
with mazel
&
sweetness
for your
leadership,
your integrity
and most of all
your heart.
With much love,
Jeffrey
White Door Page
To Honor
All of Our Friends who support
Gilda’s Club Westchester
Brianne & Sanford
Goldstein
White Door Page
Is Proud to Support
Gilda’sIs Club
Proud toWestchester
Support
Gilda’s Club
Westchester
In Honoring:
In Honoring:
Harri
Taranto
Harri Taranto
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178 Myrtle Blvd.“that Fits Since 1947”
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White Door Page
In Honor of
Wendi Schechter
Lloyds Planning Services LLC
Insurance
501 Fifth Avenue Suite#602
New York, NY 10017
212-689-0431
[email protected]
White Door Page
Thanks to all of you who work so hard to
make Gilda's Club a beacon of hope for all
those battling cancer in our community
Andrea & Andy Potash
White Door Page
Congratulations to
Wendi Schechter
The Barbara Bennett-Rones Volunteer of the Year
Live boldly. Laugh Loudly. Love Truly.
Play as often as you can
Work as smart as you are able.
Share your heart as deeply as you can reach.
- Mary Anne Radmacher
Wendi shows us how to do this every day!!
We love you Wendi!!
Love,
Kathy, Paul, Dan, Alex, Paige and Remy
White Door Page
Congratulations to all the honorees!
We thank you for your tireless support
and extraordinary work on behalf of
Gilda’s Club Westchester!
Ellen and Jonathan Litt
White Door Page
To all our honorees...
Wendi, you were with us since the beginning! We could not have
created Gilda’s Club Westchester without your continued hard work
and dedication to our cause.
Harri, thank you for your outstanding leadership! You helped us to
move forward which has allowed us to continue to provide the amazing
the opportunities for people living with cancer.
To the generous people of Reckson, A Division of SL Green... thank you
for all you do for Gilda’s Club Westchester. Your generosity has set an
example for how a corporation can support an organization that gives so
much to the community.
To the entire staff off GCW, THANK YOU ALL!
With much gratitude to everyone
Susie & Gil Wang
White Door Page
Dear Wendi,
Your infectious enthusiasm and tenacity has helped
Gilda’s become all that it is today. We honor your
constant support, loyalty and positive attitude.
Congratulations on your 15 year journey.
Love,
Susan and Glenn Rones
Linda and Ken Wiltsek
White Door Page
Congratulations Harri!
Thank you for all you do for the community.
Lisa & Richard Witten
White Door Page
WAYNE AND MICHELE BENACH
APPLAUD THE EFFORTS OF WENDI SCHECTER
AND ALL OF THE HONOREES AND STAFF AT
GILDA’S CLUB WESTCHESTER
White Door Page
North
South
East or West
our
SUSIE & GIL are the BEST!
In Admiration and Appreciation for their
Continuing Commitment to Gilda’s Club,
family and friends!
With love,
Peter & Dale Wang
Jeff, Amy, Ezra & Jonah
Greg, Liza, Anabelle & Bode
Helen Ross
White Door Page
Dominick’s Limousine Service –
Serving Westchester since 1979
Dominick’s Limousine Service and
DLS Worldwide Transportation
Proudly supports Gilda’s Club Westchester
and we congratulate
this year’s award recipients,
Harri Taranto, Wendi Schechter and
Reckson, SL Green
for their commitment and dedication
to the mission of GCW.
White Door Page
In memory of Barbara Bennett Rones
all our love,
Jeff and Susie Stern
White Door Page
Our community is a better place to
Live, Laugh & Love
because of
GILDA’S CLUB WESTCHESTER
Congratulations to our 2015 honorees
Harri Taranto
THE RED DOOR AWARD
Wendi Schechter
THE BARBARA BENNETT-RONES
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Reckson, A Division of SL Green
CORPORATE PARTNER AWARD
Many heartfelt thanks to the extraordinary people behind the
‘red door’ at 80 Maple Avenue in White Plains. You provide a
welcoming, warm and safe haven to anyone who
walks through our door.
Cindy Valk-Danish & Les Danish
White Door Page
Congratulations to all the honorees
for your commitment and dedication to
Gilda’s Club Westchester
Doreen & Neil Davidowitz
White Door Page
When our community
succeeds, we all succeed.
At M&T Bank, we know how important it is to support those organizations
that make our communities better places to live and work. That’s why we
offer both our time and resources and encourage others to do the same.
Andrea Wagonseller
White Plains Branch Manager
Tel: (914) 428-2211
Email: [email protected]
mtb.com ©2015 M&T Bank. Member FDIC.
White Door Page
The staff of
Panoramic
PANORAMIC
560 South 3rd Ave.
Mt. Vernon, NY 10550
914-968-7976 • www.panoramicgrp.com
Proud Floral Sponsors of
Gilda’s Club Westchester 15 th Annual Gala
www.thearrangementnyc.com
[email protected]
646.770.3766
In Honor of Wendi Schechter
Congratulations
With Love,
Hope and Marc Altheim
In memory of Terri
Forever loved
Forever in our hearts
Joey, Dayna, Jeffrey and Randy
Congratulations Wendi!
You bring joy to all who are
lucky enough to know you
With love and admiration,
Guzzy and Jimmy Grashow
In Honor of
Amy Frolick’s
Selfless Commitment
Janie & Robert Julius
~ Since 1950 ~
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Where
Where Personal
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Service and
and
Experience
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York
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New N-400
York 10573-1301
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(914)
694-4600
(914) 694-4600
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Rye Brook
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com
www. darcangelo. com
FAX
FAX (914)
(914) 694-3658
694-3658
FAX (914) 694-3658
Poughkeepsie ~ Millbrook ~ Rome
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Syracuse ~ Oneida ~ Canastota
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Congratulations to Gilda’s Club Westchester
for all the amazing support you provide.
Best
Patty and Russell Wolff
Congratulations to Wendi for your extraordinary commitment to a wonderful cause.
We will always remember Barbara Bennett-Rones’s name in our prayers
The Levi Blau Family
Congratulations, Harri, on all your good works.
With love and admiration,
Susan and Larry
Congratulations to our dear friend Wendi Schechter
on a well-deserved honor
With love,
The Alter-Confino Family
Susie,
We are inspired by you and by your commitment and dedication to
building a home and support services for everyone living with cancer.
Love,
Amy and Neil
Fran Tomach Lifshey
210 East 68th Street Suite 12F
New York NY 10065
o:
Manage your Muddle.....
Home/Office Organization
212.249.3895
m:917.673.0023
e:
[email protected]
Congratulations, dear Harri…
a well deserved honor.
With love, Sylvia
CONGRATULATIONS
TO
HARRI TARANTO
IS A
RED DOOR AWARD
WENDI SChEChTER
BARbARA BENNETT-RONES VOLUNTEER
OF ThE
AND
RECKSON
A DIvISION
OF
SL GREEN
CORPORATE AWARD
WITh BEST WIShES
TO
GILDA’S CLUb WESTChESTER
LAUREN ThALER & BILL NULL
YEAR AWARD
PROUD PARTNER
OF
GILDAAS CLUB
WESTCHESTER
Friends of Gilda’s
Judy and Keith Benkov
Pamela and Mark Elias
Bob and Roberta Fisher
Liz Fitzgerald
Winnie Grant, All American Gymnastics
Sharon and Mark Horowitz
Peggy LoCastro
Rubin Magit
Jayne and Harris Maslansky
Margaret M. Postlewaite, PhD
James Suermann, Culbertson Company of New York
Robert and Sheri Wolfson
We regret the omission of donors whose
contributions were received after the
Journal was finalized. Please visit our
website for a complete version:
www.gildasclubwestchester.org
Thank you for your continued and
generous support of
Gilda’s Club Westchester
and our
2015 Annual Gala.
Please Save the Date
for these Upcoming Special Events:
The 6 th Annual Gilda’s Club Westchester
Mah Jongg Invitational
Monday, June 1, 2015
Willow Ridge Country Club
Harrison, New York
The 2015 Gilda’s Club Westchester
Golf & Tennis Invitational
Venue TBD
Gilda’s Club Westchester’s
Bridge and Canasta Tournament
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Beach Point Club
Mamaroneck, New York
Gilda’s Soul Ride
September, 2015
SoulCycle Bronxville
Gilda’s Stair Climb
Congratulations
to our
Remarkable Honorees
Harri Taranto
The 2015 Red Door Award
Wendi Schechter
The 2015 Barbara Bennett-Rones Volunteer of the Year Award
and
Reckson, A Division of SL Green
The 2015 Corporate Honoree
We truly appreciate everything you have done to enrich
Gilda’s Club Westchester for our community.
The Board of Directors
Gilda’s Club Westchester
“There are those who open their hearts to others…
who never think twice about giving of themselves.
They are the wonderful warmhearted
people who make a difference in all of our lives.”
~Gilda Radner
80 Maple Avenue, White Plains, NY 10601
tel 914.644.8844 • fax 914.644.8284
www.gildasclubwestchester.org