Honoring Mr. Robert Gilmor III And Rev. Kimberly Gaines-Gambino
Huntington Foundation for Excellence in Education (HFEE) will hold its annual Reach for the Stars Gala on Thursday, March 30, 2023, marking the non-profit organization’s 30th anniversary. This year’s honorees will be Mr. Robert Gilmor III, dean of students at HUFSD and faculty advisor for Habitat for Humanity and the Natural Helpers clubs, and Reverend Kimberly Gaines-Gambino, president of Helping Hands Rescue Mission in Huntington Station.
The event will be held once again at the spectacular Water’s Edge event space in Centerport, NY. Tickets are on sale now.
“We couldn’t be more excited to announce this year’s honorees. Mr. Gilmor and Rev. Gaines-Gambino are so deserving of this honor — both have had significant, positive influences on the young people of the Huntington community. They are exceptionally wonderful people in every way and embody the qualities of the HFEE Spirit Award,” remarked Jennifer Stevens, president of HFEE.
This year, to widen the pool of honoree candidates, the HFEE board provided a nomination form for students, parents and colleagues in the district to submit worthy candidates for recognition at the gala. Mr. Gilmor and Rev. Gaines-Gambino, received multiple nominations.
“Since the day I met Mr. Gilmor, it was abundantly clear that he was a champion for Huntington students and for all things Huntington in general! He gives his heart and soul every day, and wants nothing more than to help students find and pursue their interests, believe in themselves and recognize their limitless potential. No one can ever argue that he found his true calling and that he is a phenomenal educator in every sense,” said Mr. James Polansky, superintendent of HUFSD.
Polansky continued, “Reverend Kim is a pillar in the Huntington community and has truly helped define it as the very special place that it is. The countless hours she has spent helping others and encouraging others to do the same have not gone, and will never go, unnoticed. She has done everything possible through the years to ensure that all of our children and their families have access to what they need. We are beyond grateful for her efforts and are proud to call her a true friend of and partner in education!”
In depth profiles on each honoree will be posted in the coming weeks. In the meantime, friends, family, and colleagues of the 2023 HFEE Gala honorees who are interested in sending Mr. Robert Gilmor III and Rev. Kimberley Gaines-Gambino messages of congratulations, can do so through HFEE’s new fundraising campaign called “30 for $30.” In a nod toward the organization’s 30th anniversary year, donors can write a personalized note of congratulations up to 30 words long (or up to 130 characters) to the honorees for $30 (or more). These messages will be shared with the honorees in a hardcover memento book along with photos from the event. Click here for more information.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of the gala or would like to donate a raffle prize or gift certificate, contact Tara Poli, VP of Development, at tarapoli@danielgale.com.