A Seaford High School graduate was among the students honored with a scholarship at Adventureland’s Helping Hands Foundation’s annual Friends and Family V.I.P. Night last month.
Ella Simone, a 2023 Seaford graduate and current Molloy University student studying criminal justice, received a Vivian and Tony Gentile Employee Scholarship. Simone has been a member of the Adventureland team since last year.
“I’m truly honored to have been selected for the Vivian and Tony Gentile Employee scholarship and the opportunity it represents,” Simone said in a statement. “I also greatly appreciated being a part of V.I.P Night! It was such a wonderful experience and very meaningful to be included.”
Adventureland’s Helping Hands Foundation hosted its 8th annual V.I.P. Night in Farmingdale, drawing nearly 2,000 attendees. The event raised $400,000 to support Long Island students, schools, teachers and nonprofit organizations. Since its founding in 2013, the foundation has raised more than $2.1 million.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of $65,000 in scholarships through the Vivian and Tony Gentile Scholarship Fund. Thirteen high school seniors were awarded $5,000 scholarships to support their college studies, and five Adventureland employees, including Simone, were recognized with additional awards.
“Adventureland’s Helping Hands Foundation is thrilled to be the catalyst for Long Islanders helping Long Islanders — the support we have received through our annual VIP Night event is incredible,” said Steve Gentile, board president of the foundation. “In just one night, we have raised over $400,000 for our scholarship program, grant program, and pledges that support Long Island students, teachers, schools, and nonprofits.”
Other scholarship recipients included students from Bethpage, Smithtown, Massapequa, Long Beach, East Meadow, Syosset, West Babylon, Hempstead, Island Trees and Newfield high schools.
The Helping Hands Foundation was created to support charitable programs across Long Island. Its annual V.I.P. Night features unlimited rides, food and entertainment, with proceeds funding scholarships and community programs.
For more information about the Helping Hands Foundation, visit HelpingHandsLI.org.
