Fr. Gabriel with Terry & Vivian Tener, Monica Schoelle with her daughter and Gerda Schoffelen The second annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser hosted by members of the St. John's Kenyan Children's Foundation was held on Saturday, April 19th at Kellenberg Memorial High School in Uniondale. The event drew close to 300 guests who enjoyed the taste of several international wines, and participated in the Chinese and Silent Auctions with great prizes that were generously donated for this event.

Fr. Gabriel Muteru, Honorary Chairman, greeted all the guests as they arrived, and offered a very eloquent speech about the foundation's mission and the latest accomplishments thus far. The atmosphere was festive and the spirit of giving was overwhelming.

It was a very special evening shared by people of faith with a strong desire to make a change in the lives of many orphan Kenyan children in need.

Congratulations to the lucky winners of the Chinese Auction: Dr. Joe Como, Joanne Russo, Ron Geoffrion, Maureen Per-sak, Mary McKay, Patty Houseman, Joyce Abamont, Mary Beth Tully, Anne Paulson, Regina Harte, Mrs. Thompson, Dr. Ienna, Mrs. Scuderi, John McCabe, Elizabeth Erdos, Lorraine Levano, Anda Baldwin, Monica Schoelle, Bill Carman, Pat Dolan, and Fonda Albertrani. Special thanks to Stephanie Cowan, the winner of the 50/50 Raffle, who donated her prize to benefit the Kenyan children.

Fr. Gabriel and Deacon Jack McKenna greet some of the arriving guests The Foundation would like to thank all the generous donors of prizes for the Chinese and Silent Auctions, all the guests who contributed with their presence and generosity, and the volunteers who helped to organize this event. Our heartfelt gratitude to Bro. Kenneth Hoagland, Principal of Kellenberg Memorial, and the Marianist Community for their continued support to the foundation.

The Foundation is a registered NY State, 501-3C, non for profit organization, whose mission is to provide an education and promote the welfare of orphan Kenyan children. If you would like to receive information about becoming a parent-sponsor for one of the orphan children, please contact Kathy Billanti at 516-742-2991. Correspondence and/or donations may be sent to P. O. Box 411, Garden City, NY 11530.

Marta Waters, organizer of the FACE Lenten Project, with her husband Martin and Drs. Michael Cassano and Marianne Alongi

Mike and Cathy O'Sullivan with Jim and Annemarie Proce Deacon Jack McKenna, Fr. Gabriel and Fr. Brian Ingram celebrate the event Fr. Gabriel with Board members: Rosemary Fitzgerald, Kathy Billanti, Barbara Debold and Sue Larkin Dr. and Mrs. Ienna are among the lucky winners Ladies from the St. Joseph's Rosary Altar Society enjoy the evening Fr. Andiy Egargo with Fr. Gabriel and Gabriela Billanti with her fiancé Goh Nishiyama Ron Geoffrion and his guest Ann win a painting from the Silent Auction Fr. Gabriel with Dr. Denise Emma Joanne and John Russo enjoying the evening Marygene Anderson and her son Arthur claim their prize Elaine Kelley, Chair of Catholic Daughters of America, with her husband Daniel Board Members Frank and Kathy Billanti with their daughter Gabriela Dr. Jay Fitzgerald and Henry Razzano toast to the success of the event Anne Paulson is one of the evening's lucky winners John McCabe wins the "Father's Day" basket Fr. Gabriel during his opening speech Mary Beth Tully is one of the event's lucky winners Theo and Joe Tomao, organizers of the Clothing Drive, celebrate the arrival of the shipment in Kenya Parishioners from Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Parish in Roosevelt