Nearly 100 community members gathered April 29 at the Rockville Links Club for SIBSPlace’s second annual “Together We Shine” luncheon, an interactive fundraiser designed to give attendees a firsthand look at the organization’s therapeutic programming for children coping with serious illness or loss within their families.
Hosted by the Rockville Centre-based nonprofit, the luncheon focused on gratitude, mindfulness and emotional resilience while raising funds for SIBSPlace’s preventative mental health and therapy services for children whose siblings or parents are battling cancer or other life-threatening illnesses, as well as families grieving the death of a loved one.
Unlike a traditional fundraiser, the event recreated elements of a typical “Regular Program Night” at SIBSPlace, allowing guests to participate in the same evidence-based activities used to help children process emotions and build coping skills. Parents of current and former SIBSPlace participants also attended the luncheon.
“Our goal is to bring a day at SIBS to the Rockville Centre community,” Executive Director Joanna Formont said. “Every participant will get to participate in a different expressive arts therapy activity, similar to what we would do at SIBSPlace with SIBS kids.”
Guests took part in expressive arts activities, including creating affirmation mirror tiles inspired by a project completed by SIBSPlace children. Participants decorated the tiles with encouraging messages meant to promote positive self-talk and emotional resilience.
The luncheon also featured mindfulness exercises, stress-reduction techniques and interactive demonstrations highlighting the organization’s therapeutic approach. Guests were invited to move throughout the room and engage with the different stations before Formont delivered remarks and presented a video later in the afternoon.
One of the event’s most popular attractions was Daisy, a nearly 12-year-old mini Labradoodle therapy dog who regularly visits SIBSPlace programs. Daisy, certified through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, has worked with children since age 2 and has earned certifications as a Canine Good Citizen, AKC Trick Dog Performer and AKC Therapy Dog Advanced.
According to Daisy’s owner, Vic Horowitz, his family has volunteered with SIBSPlace for more than 20 years and previously worked with another therapy dog before Daisy joined the program. Horowitz said SIBSPlace children even helped choose Daisy’s name before she arrived.
“SIBS is like a family,” Horowitz said. “And she’s a family member.”
Horowitz said Daisy also participates in a reading-to-dogs program in East Rockaway, where children practice reading aloud to her in a calm and supportive environment. During the luncheon, Daisy entertained guests by performing tricks and interacting with attendees throughout the afternoon.
According to Formont, Daisy visits SIBSPlace each month and helps children feel more comfortable and connected during difficult times.
“So having a program like this where the community actually does come out to support them, it makes them feel like they’re part of even a bigger community,” Formont said. “It’s all our SIBS family, and this type of event reinforces that.”
Among those attending the luncheon was SIBSPlace board member Tara Belfi, whose family first became involved with the organization more than two decades ago after her daughter was born with a rare lung disease. Belfi said her son, Chris, struggled with loneliness and isolation while his sister was frequently hospitalized, leading a child life specialist to recommend SIBSPlace.
Belfi said the organization provided her son with emotional support, summer camps, homework help and opportunities to connect with other children facing similar family situations. She added that the support groups for parents were equally meaningful during an especially difficult period for her family.
“What I think is amazing about that is he has great memories of a time that was very chaotic,” Belfi said. “So he doesn’t really probably hold on too much when Mommy wasn’t there a lot. It was he has all these great memories of being at SIBSPlace.”
Local residents Ken Falcon and Susie Falcon also attended the luncheon in support of the organization. The couple, who attended last year’s event as well, said they were drawn to the nonprofit’s mission of helping children and families navigate illness, grief and emotional hardship.
Susie Falcon described the luncheon as both heartfelt and creative, pointing to the art activities and strong sense of community throughout the afternoon. Ken Falcon said organizations like SIBSPlace fill an important role for children who can often feel overlooked while a loved one is facing a medical crisis.
“It’s super complicated, right? Because you’re upset about the thing that’s happening to your father or your mother or your sister or your brother,” Ken Falcon said. “But then also, no one’s thinking about you.”
Additional activities included a photo booth and nearly two dozen raffle baskets, which helped raise support for the nonprofit’s programs and services.
Founded in 2000, SIBSPlace provides emotional support programs for children coping with a sibling or parent facing cancer or another serious illness. Through art, music and peer-based group activities led by mental health professionals, the organization helps children express emotions, build coping skills and connect with others facing similar experiences. SIBSPlace became an independent nonprofit in 2015 and is now affiliated with Mount Sinai South Nassau.
