Long Island Elite (LIE), a nonprofit dedicated to fostering the growth and development of local Long Island business professionals and emerging regional leaders, will host its “Stars and Stripes” Gala for their 2023 charity partner, Paws of War. The gala will take place on Thursday, Oct. 26 at Oheka Castle. The LIE Gala is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year.
“Long Island Elite has embraced our organization and our mission. Since being selected as the charity partner for 2023, their members have promoted our mission, volunteered at events and raised funds. This important work, as well as the proceeds from the gala, will change and save the lives of veterans and first responders as well as many dogs. The gala will allow us to celebrate and support our heroes who must never be forgotten,” said Robert Misseri, co-founder of Paws of War.
This year’s honorees, Steven A. Castleton (Veteran Advocate of the Year), Thomas Joy (First Responder of the Year) and Amrish Dias (Contemporary of the Year) were introduced to more 150 guests and supporters at the LIE Meet the Honorees Night held on Aug. 16.
“Our members are committed to raising funds and awareness for Paws of War and making this gala a memorable event. As a Marine Corps veteran, I know the struggles that many veterans have with returning to civilian life. For some, a service or companion animal is a vital component of leading a stable and fulfilling life. The cost and process of getting and maintaining a service dog is a barrier. When Paws of War steps in, the veteran or first responder is relieved of the red tape and cost and is left to focus on living healthy. We encourage the Long Island community to support Paws of War by taking part in our gala as a sponsor or guest,” said Frank Morizio, Jr., Long Island Elite President.
The funds raised by Long Island Elite in 2023 will give Paws of War resources to further its mission of “helping both ends of the leash” by providing services to veterans, first responders and their service or companion animals.
Long Island Elite has raised more than $2 million, benefitting more than 80 nonprofits over the past 20 years. Past charity partners have included United Cerebral Palsy of Long Island, ACLD, SIBSPlace, The Safe Center LI, New Ground and Long Island Alzheimer’s & Dementia Center.