The mission of Gilda’s Club Westchester is to create welcoming communities of free support for everyone living with
cancer — men, women, teens and children — along with their families and friends.
Our innovative programs are an essential complement to medical care, providing individual counseling, support
groups, workshops, education and social activities.
Gilda’s Club Westchester would like to recognize
2015 Gala Partner Amy Frolick and Brad Eric Scheler/Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson, LLP
Mayo and Elizabeth Cohn Stuntz The Yasgur Family
2015 Gala Benefactors Stephen and Debbie Chapin
James and Jane Stern
2015 Gala Patrons Carole M. Bass, Moses & Singer, LLP
John Barnes, Reckson, SL Green Jayne Lipman and Bob Goodman Harri Taranto and Sylvia Lavietes Dr. Julie and Mr. Jason Monroe
Wendi and Ed Schechter Jeff and Susie Stern
2015 Gala Sponsors Joseph and Yusi Gurrera, Citarella
Gary and Nancy Rones
2015 Gala Supporters Michele and Wayne Benach M&T Bank Ellen Brooks and Marshall Cohen Andrea and Andy Potash Thomas Coughlin, The Coughlin Group Susan and Glenn Rones Leslie and Cindy Valk-Danish Rabbi Jeffrey Sirkman Robert and Joan Easton Peter and Dale Wang Sanford and Brianne Goldstein Gil and Susie Wang Kathy and Paul Harnick Linda and Ken Wiltsek Arnold Kotzen, Lloyds Planning Services, LLC Lisa and Richard Witten Jon and Ellen Litt
Gala Committee Co-Chairs Michele and Wayne Benach
Carol Bennett Stephen and Debbie Chapin
Susie and Gil Wang
Gala Committee Tracey Aaron
Carole M. Bass Laura and Michael Beber
Cindy Valk-Danish and Leslie Danish Doreen and Neil Davidowitz Rosalind and David Gordon
Pam Jones Julie Monroe
Amy Frolick and Brad Scheler Lisa Shpilberg
Mayo and Elizabeth Cohn Stuntz Stacey Wechsler
Gilda’s Club Westchester 2015 Gala Committee
Board of Directors Cindy Valk-Danish President
Amy Frolick Vice President
Rosalind Gordon, Esq. Secretary
Stephen C. Chapin Treasurer Harri Taranto Immediate Past President Tracey Aaron Susan M. Barossi Carole Bass Doreen Davidowitz Jonathan Litt Julie Monroe, MD Dru Pyne*
Emeritus Board Carol Bennett Barbara Bennett-Rones* Bede Levinson Robin Poses Markell Joyce Neibart Gary A. Schnorr Elizabeth Cohn Stuntz Laurie Thomas Gil Wang Susie Wang Co-Founders Robin Poses Markell Susie Wang
*In Memoriam
Gilda’s Club Westchester Board of Directors
Gilda’s Club Westchester Staff
MELISSA LANG, DrPH, MPH Chief Executive Officer
LIZ BARNETT Social Worker Intern
MIRANDA DOLD, LCSW Director of Outreach and Program Development
STEPHANIE FALK Director of Development
JUDY FREEMAN Program Administrator
ERICA FOREST Clinical Social Worker
SARAH GOLDSTEIN Special Events Manager
MARISSA MADONIA
Senior Development Manager
JEN SCULLY, ATR-BC Director of Youth Programs and Quality Improvement
ESSIE STECKLER Program Associate
STACY WEISSBERG, LCSW Director of Clinical Programs
Gilda’s Club Westchester
H O N O R I N G
Harri Taranto The Red Door Award
Wendi Schechter The Barbara Bennett-Rones Volunteer of the Year Award
&
Reckson, A Division of SL Green The Corporate Honoree
F E AT U R I N G
Comedy provided by Gotham Comedy Club
The 2015 Corporate Honoree
Reckson, a division of SL Green Realty Corp., is the largest owner of Class A properties in Westchester County, NY and Fairfield County, CT, with a total tri-state portfolio of 33 properties comprising over 5 million square feet of commercial and retail space in urban and suburban settings alike. The portfolio is known for its signature “Best in Class” buildings. A strong focus on tenant amenities, from on-site fitness facilities, gourmet cafeterias to our full service concierge desk; distinguishes Reckson properties in the suburban market. Tenants have access to on site auditoriums, board rooms and state of the art video conference centers. Leasing, property management, construction and a state of the art architectural design studio are offered as in-house services enhancing tenant satisfaction. Reckson is a proud supporter of Gilda's Club Westchester and has been a major sponsor of the last five GIlda's Club Westchester Golf Invitational's, The First and Second Annual Gilda's Stair Climb's, and the past five Gilda's Club Westchester's Annual Comedy Gala's. Not only does Reckson continuously provide Gilda's Club Westchester with generous financial support, but they also have been quite helpful in helping the organization with the facilities in the White Plains Clubhouse by donating furniture and helping with maintenance issues. Gilda's Club Westchester is incredibly appreciative of the dedication Reckson has shown our organization and is proud to recognize them as the 2015 Corporate Honoree.
Harri Taranto
The 2015 Red Door Honoree Harri V. Taranto is a co-founder and partner of Symphony Capital LLC, a private equity firm that collaborates with small biotechnology companies to fund and develop their promising drug candidates. Prior to founding Symphony in 2002, he was a Managing Director and co-founder of Wilkerson Partners, a healthcare and life sciences strategy consulting firm. Previously, Mr. Taranto was a co-founder and partner, for 17 years, with The Wilkerson Group, Inc. and its successor, TWG/IBM Healthcare Consulting, where he was head of the Global Pharmaceutical practice.
Prior to joining TWG, Mr. Taranto was a consultant with McKinsey & Company. He earned an M.B.A. in Finance from Columbia University and received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Yale University.
Mr. Taranto serves on the board of Gilda’s Club Westchester, where he is the immediate past President. Currently he also serves as President of the Board of Trustees of Larchmont Temple and as Co-Chair of the President’s Parents’ Council at the Rhode Island School of Design. In addition, Mr. Taranto serves on the Business Council of Solera Capital LLC, the Board of Directors of MIQS, Inc. and the Advisory Council of HealthRight International.
Wendi Schechter The 2015 Barbara Bennett-Rones
Volunteer of the Year Award
The Barbara Bennett-Rones Volunteer of the Year Award honors outstanding individuals within the community whose volunteerism and public service makes a difference in other's lives. This year, that honor goes to the charismatic and insightful Wendi Schechter.
Wendi became involved with Gilda's Club Westchester when Barbara Bennett-Rones, a dear friend, was diagnosed with breast cancer and hasn’t looked back since. Cancer has impacted her life, as both she and her sister, along with her parents, were all diagnosed. This has made her commitment to Gilda’s Club that much stronger.
In addition to serving on Gilda’s Board of Directors for 9 years, chairing the nominating committee and co-chairing several Gala’s, Wendi’s involvement runs much deeper. She is currently in the process of developing a Re-Engagement Resource Council, in the hopes of re-awakening the interest and passion of our mission to people who were involved with Gilda’s from its inception.
Wendi is proud of the work she does for Gilda’s Club Westchester and thrilled to be this year’s Barbara Bennett-Rones Volunteer of the Year honoree.
Barbara Bennett-Rones* Founding Patron and Board Member
It is with gratitude, humility and deepest respect that we once again honor the memory of our beloved Board Member and Founding Patron, Barbara Bennett-Rones.
Daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend, one to emulate, Barbara was all of these and so much more. She touched the lives of so many with her love, wisdom and compassion. Her contagious smile, her sound judgment and her fair-mindedness all served her well in her chosen field, guidance.
While raising her family, volunteerism and commitment to public service were always important aspects of Barbara’s life. She wore several hats on the Mamaroneck Board of Education, and eventually became its President from 1998-2000. She was the recipient of the Sunny Award, given by the LMC-TV, which honors an outstanding individual within the community who makes a difference in other’s lives.
Perhaps closest to her heart, was Barbara's involvement with Gilda's Club Westchester. She truly understood the importance of the psychological and social support that Gilda's Club provides. She was determined to attract participation from those she knew, and her effort had tremendous impact on the Club's development. Her spirit continues to be felt in the success of Gilda's Club Westchester through her children. Both Jody and Stacy, and their friends, have helped organize an annual comedy fundraiser and remain dedicated to raising awareness about Gilda’s Club Westchester.
Barbara's greatest legacy is the way she lived life to the fullest. Barbara inspires the best in all of us, and we remember her with much admiration, lasting appreciation, and enduring love.
*In Memoriam
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Wishing a heartfelt congratulations to the honorees
−−−
In loving memory of
Barbara Bennett-Rones Dorothy Wasserman
Doris Gershenov and
Joseph Seibald
The Yasgur Family Sylvia, Joey, Rachel and Jamie
Platinum Door Page RED DOOR AD
Congratulations to
Harri Taranto Wendi Schechter
And Reckson, A Division of SL Green
With admiration of and appreciation for the crucial
difference you have made in the lives of so many living with cancer
Mike and Liz Stuntz
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Fried Frank is proud to supportGilda’s Club Westchester
and joins in honoring and we extend our congratulations to
Harri Tarantorecipient of the Red Door Award,
Wendi Schechterrecipient of the Barbara Benett-Rones Volunteerof the Year Award, and
Reckson, A Division of SL Greenrecipient of the Corporate Partner Award.
New York | Washington DC | London | Paris | Frankfurt | Hong Kong | Shanghai
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP | friedfrank.com
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Congratulations to the dedicated honorees and staff of
Gilda’s Club Westchester
Jane and James Stern
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In loving memoryof
Susan MerollaMargie MerollaRosalind ForseSusan Sirkman
Harri TarantoSylvia Lavietes
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My sincerest thanks to all at Gilda’s Club Westchester.
I am truly honored to be named theBarbara Bennett ‐Rones Volunteer of the Year.
Wendi
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Full_Gold Door
Wendi Our dear friend....We thank you for all you have done and continue to do for GCW,
with Love, Thoughtfulness, and Enthusiasm.
It is so wonderful that you are receiving the Barbara Bennett-Rones Volunteer of the Year Award!
We know that she is smiling for her friend.
We also honor tonight Harri Taranto & Reckson
for their commitment to Gilda's Club Westchester
With Love & Respect
Gary & Nancy Rones Carol Bennett
and Our Families
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Many thanks to all those who’ve worked
to make Gilda’s a supportive society
And congratulations to our friend Harri Taranto
Jayne Lipman & Bob Goodman
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Congratulations to Gilda’s Club Westchester
for another outstanding year of exceptional programming
Ellen and Howard Lazarus
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WE SALUTE YOU.
GILDA’S CLUB WESTCHESTER
WE SALUTETONIGHT’S HONOREES
as you are recognized by
for all you do to support
those living with cancer,
along with their families
and friends,
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We're just wild about Harri…
Congratulations, Harri!
With appreciation for all that you do for Gilda's
and with gratitude to everyone at Gilda's Club!
Ellen and Marshall
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Harri
with mazel
&
sweetness
for your
leadership,
your integrity
and most of all
your heart.
With much love,
Jeffrey
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To Honor All of Our Friends who support
Gilda’s Club Westchester
Brianne & Sanford Goldstein
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Is Proud to Support
Gilda’s Club Westchester
In Honoring:
Harri Taranto
Personal & Business Insurance “that Fits Since 1947”
178 Myrtle Blvd.Larchmont, NY 10538
914.834.1234
52 West 22nd StreetNew York, NY 10010
212.593.0200Michael A. Coughlin, C.E.O
Thomas P. Coughlin, [email protected]
www.coughlinis.com
Is Proud to SupportGilda’s Club Westchester
In Honoring:
Harri Taranto
Personal & Business Insurance “that Fits Since 1947”
178 Myrtle Blvd. Larchmont, NY 10538
914.834.1234
52 West 22nd Street New York, NY 10010
212.593.0200 Michael A. Coughlin, C.E.O
Thomas P. Coughlin, President [email protected]
www.coughlinis.com
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In Honor of
Wendi Schechter
Lloyds Planning Services LLC
Insurance
501 Fifth Avenue Suite#602
New York, NY 10017
212-689-0431
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Thanks to all of you who work so hard to make Gilda's Club a beacon of hope for all
those battling cancer in our community
Andrea & Andy Potash
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Congratulations to
Wendi SchechterThe Barbara Bennett-Rones Volunteer of the Year
Live boldly. Laugh Loudly. Love Truly. Play as often as you can
Work as smart as you are able. Share your heart as deeply as you can reach.
- Mary Anne Radmacher
Wendi shows us how to do this every day!!
We love you Wendi!!
Love,
Kathy, Paul, Dan, Alex, Paige and Remy
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Congratulations to all the honorees!
We thank you for your tireless support
and extraordinary work on behalf of
Gilda’s Club Westchester!
Ellen and Jonathan Litt
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To all our honorees...
Wendi, you were with us since the beginning! We could not have created Gilda’s Club Westchester without your continued hard work and dedication to our cause.
Harri, thank you for your outstanding leadership! You helped us to move forward which has allowed us to continue to provide the amazing the opportunities for people living with cancer.
To the generous people of Reckson, A Division of SL Green... thank you for all you do for Gilda’s Club Westchester. Your generosity has set an example for how a corporation can support an organization that gives so much to the community.
To the entire staff off GCW, THANK YOU ALL!
With much gratitude to everyone
Susie & Gil Wang
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Dear Wendi,
Your infectious enthusiasm and tenacity has helped Gilda’s become all that it is today. We honor your
constant support, loyalty and positive attitude. Congratulations on your 15 year journey.
Love,
Susan and Glenn Rones
Linda and Ken Wiltsek
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Congratulations Harri!Thank you for all you do for the community.
Lisa & Richard Witten
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WAYNE AND MICHELE BENACH
APPLAUD THE EFFORTS OF
WENDI SCHECTER
AND ALL OF THE HONOREES AND STAFF AT
GILDA’S CLUB WESTCHESTER
North South
East or West
our SUSIE & GIL are the BEST!
In Admiration and Appreciation for their Continuing Commitment to Gilda’s Club,
family and friends!
With love, Peter & Dale Wang
Jeff, Amy, Ezra & Jonah Greg, Liza, Anabelle & Bode
Helen Ross
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Dominick’s Limousine Service – Serving Westchester since 1979
Dominick’s Limousine Service and DLS Worldwide Transportation
Proudly supports Gilda’s Club Westchester and we congratulate
this year’s award recipients, Harri Taranto, Wendi Schechter and
Reckson, SL Green for their commitment and dedication
to the mission of GCW.
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Our community is a better place to
Live, Laugh & Love
because of
GILDA’S CLUB WESTCHESTER
Congratulations to our 2015 honorees
Harri Taranto THE RED DOOR AWARD
Wendi Schechter THE BARBARA BENNETT-RONES
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Reckson, A Division of SL Green CORPORATE PARTNER AWARD
Many heartfelt thanks to the extraordinary people behind the ‘red door’ at 80 Maple Avenue in White Plains. You provide a
welcoming, warm and safe haven to anyone who walks through our door.
Cindy Valk-Danish & Les Danish
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Congratulations to all the honorees for your commitment and dedication to
Gilda’s Club Westchester
Doreen & Neil Davidowitz
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When our community succeeds, we all succeed.
At M&T Bank, we know how important it is to support those organizations
that make our communities better places to live and work. That’s why we
offer both our time and resources and encourage others to do the same.
mtb.com ©2015 M&T Bank. Member FDIC.
Andrea WagonsellerWhite Plains Branch ManagerTel: (914) 428-2211Email: [email protected]
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PANORAMIC
The staff of
Panoramic
560 South 3rd Ave.Mt. Vernon, NY 10550
914-968-7976 • www.panoramicgrp.com
www.thearrangementnyc.com [email protected]
646.770.3766
Proud Floral Sponsors of Gilda’s Club Westchester 15th Annual Gala
In Honor of Wendi SchechterCongratulations
With Love,Hope and Marc Altheim
In memory of TerriForever loved
Forever in our hearts
Joey, Dayna, Jeffrey and Randy
Congratulations Wendi!
You bring joy to all who are
lucky enough to know you
With love and admiration,
Guzzy and Jimmy Grashow
In Honor of
Amy Frolick’s
Selfless Commitment
Janie & Robert Julius
~ Since 1950 ~
Where Personal Service and Experience are Added to Expertise
Accounting, Auditing, Taxes Business, Financial & Estate Planning
Management Information Systems
School Districts, Governments, Corporations, Partnerships, Individuals, Estates & Trusts and Non-profit Organizations
800 Westchester Avenue
Suite N-400 Rye Brook, New York 10573-1301
(914) 694-4600 FAX (914) 694-3658
www.darcangelo. com
Rye Brook ~ Poughkeepsie ~ Millbrook ~ Rome ~ Utica
Syracuse ~ Oneida ~ Canastota
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board registered
~ Since 1950 ~
Where Personal Service andExperience are Added to Expertise
Accounting, Auditing, TaxesBusiness, Financial & Estate Planning
Management Information Systems
School Districts, Governments, Corporations, Partnerships,Individuals, Estates & Trusts and Non-profit Organizations
800 Westchester AvenueSuite N-400
Rye Brook, New York 10573-1301
(914) 694-4600 FAX (914) 694-3658
www.darcangelo. com
Rye Brook ~ Poughkeepsie ~ Millbrook ~ Rome ~ Utica
Syracuse ~ Oneida ~ Canastota
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board registered
~ Since 1950 ~
Where Personal Service andExperience are Added to Expertise
Accounting, Auditing, TaxesBusiness, Financial & Estate Planning
Management Information Systems
School Districts, Governments, Corporations, Partnerships,Individuals, Estates & Trusts and Non-profit Organizations
800 Westchester AvenueSuite N-400
Rye Brook, New York 10573-1301
(914) 694-4600 FAX (914) 694-3658
www.darcangelo. com
Rye Brook ~ Poughkeepsie ~ Millbrook ~ Rome ~ Utica
Syracuse ~ Oneida ~ Canastota
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board registered
Congratulations to Gilda’s Club Westchester
for all the amazing support you provide.
Best
Patty and Russell Wolff
Congratulations to Wendi for your extraordinary commitment to a wonderful cause.
We will always remember Barbara Bennett-Rones’s name in our prayers
The Levi Blau Family
Congratulations, Harri, on all your good works.
With love and admiration, Susan and Larry
Congratulations to our dear friend Wendi Schechter
on a well-deserved honor
With love,
The Alter-Confino Family
Susie,
We are inspired by you and by your commitment and dedication to building a home and support services for everyone living with cancer.
Love,
Amy and Neil
Fran Tomach Lifshey
210 East 68th Street Suite 12F
New York NY 10065
o: 212.249.3895
m: 917.673.0023
e: [email protected] your Muddle.....
Home/Office Organization
Congratulations, dear Harri…
a well deserved honor.
With love, Sylvia
CONGRATULATIONSTO
HARRI TARANTO
RED DOOR AWARD
WENDI SCHECHTER
BARBARA BENNETT-RONES VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD
AND
RECKSON
A DIVISION OF SL GREEN
CORPORATE AWARD
WITH BEST WISHES
TO
GILDA’S CLUB WESTCHESTER
LAUREN THALER & BILL NULL
IS A PROUD PARTNER
OF GILDAAS CLUB WESTCHESTER
Friends of Gilda’s
Judy and Keith Benkov
Pamela and Mark Elias
Bob and Roberta Fisher
Liz Fitzgerald
Winnie Grant, All American Gymnastics
Sharon and Mark Horowitz
Peggy LoCastro
Rubin Magit
Jayne and Harris Maslansky
Margaret M. Postlewaite, PhD
James Suermann, Culbertson Company of New York
Robert and Sheri Wolfson
We regret the omission of donors whose contributions were received after the Journal was finalized. Please visit our
website for a complete version: www.gildasclubwestchester.org
Thank you for your continued and
generous support of Gilda’s Club Westchester
and our 2015 Annual Gala.
Please Save the Date for these Upcoming Special Events:
The 6th Annual Gilda’s Club Westchester Mah Jongg Invitational
Monday, June 1, 2015 Willow Ridge Country Club
Harrison, New York
The 2015 Gilda’s Club Westchester
Golf & Tennis Invitational
Venue TBD
Gilda’s Club Westchester’s
Bridge and Canasta Tournament Thursday, October 1, 2015
Beach Point Club Mamaroneck, New York
Gilda’s Soul Ride
September, 2015 SoulCycle Bronxville
Gilda’s Stair Climb
Congratulationsto our
Remarkable Honorees
Harri TarantoThe 2015 Red Door Award
Wendi SchechterThe 2015 Barbara Bennett-Rones Volunteer of the Year Award
and
Reckson, A Division of SL GreenThe 2015 Corporate Honoree
We truly appreciate everything you have done to enrich Gilda’s Club Westchester for our community.
The Board of DirectorsGilda’s Club Westchester
80 Maple Avenue, White Plains, NY 10601
tel 914.644.8844 • fax 914.644.8284
www.gildasclubwestchester.org
“There are those who open their hearts to others… who never think twice about giving of themselves.
They are the wonderful warmhearted people who make a difference in all of our lives.”
~Gilda Radner