In memory of Brian Several hundred citizens partied at the Coral House at a benefit for NYC firefighter

      Since the ripe young age of sweet sixteen, they have seen each other through good times and bad. They have been there for one another through the births of each woman's four children and through one of the greatest losses a woman can face: the death of her husband.
      When Dawn's husband Brian McAleese was lost in the World Trade Center attacks, Vines has been there every step of the way as a friend, offering solace, comfort and all the support she can give.
      Vines's friendship and support haven't waned in the face of these trials, and many family friends and relatives have continued offering their support. Vines recently helped to organize a benefit in memory of the local New York City firefighter with McAleese family friends Beth Gibbons, Carolyn Norton and Theresa Koumourdas. Several hundred friends, family and members of the Baldwin community came to last Wednesday's benefit at the Coral House to eat, drink and celebrate life, things that Vines said Brian did best.
      The benefit was a fancy affair, as tuxedoed waiters sauntered through the crowd carrying silver trays piled with hors d'oeuvres, and Baldwinites made the social rounds while sipping on cocktails, all against a backdrop of upbeat top 40 songs, mixed by DJ Sue Bruno.
      A large table of gift baskets containing everything from baseball memorabilia to a full array of haircare products provided the main attraction as people bought raffle tickets in hopes of winning a prize.
      Chinese and silent auctions were also held, offering prizes such as $200 gift certificates to Bloomingdale's, overnight stays at the Garden City Hotel and New York City Sheraton and autographed New York Power Soccer T-shirts.
      The real excitement came with the live auction where people bid on two round-trip plane tickets to anywhere in the United States or the Caribbean, a one-week timeshare in Florida, a Las Vegas weekend and a 14-karat gold memorial pin in honor of the 343 firefighters lost on Sept. 11. All prizes were donated.
      Steve Carson, a former Baldwin resident, bid $500 for the memorial pin. Carson lost his brother Jay, a Cantor Fitzgerald employee, on Sept. 11.
      Dawn McAleese thanked all those who offered their love and support and told them that the night's celebration was what Brian would have wanted.
      She also announced the recently-established Brian McAleese Foundation, which she started to benefit future programs and events, and to continue the help and support that her husband gave in his life. In addition, Dawn has been working with Nassau Community College to establish a scholarship fund at Baldwin Senior High School, and has worked with Lenox and Plaza Schools to establish an annual award scholarship for two graduating male and female fifth graders.
      Vines said she and other benefit organizers decided not to disclose the amount of money made at the fundraiser, because the event was meant to be a memorial celebration above all else.       
      "This [benefit] wasn't about the money, it was about paying tribute and honoring Brian," Vines said. "This was incredible, the outpouring of love. The majority of people who were there were touched in some way by Brian's life. Even if you met him once, you'd remember him. He was that kind of person."