The South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center (SOFO), the only state-of-the-art natural history museum on the South Fork of Long Island, is pleased to announce that over 525 guests attended its 30th Anniversary Annual Summer Gala Benefit on Saturday, July 13, 2019 to benefit educational and environmental programming and initiatives at the Museum.

The event commemorated SOFO’s growth from a small nature clubhouse founded in 1988 by SOFO Board President Andrew Sabin and a group of South Fork naturalists concerned about the future of the area’s fragile ecosystems to an acclaimed state-of-the art museum highly regarded for its outstanding nature exhibits and over 270 annual educational programs focusing on environmental stewardship, climate change, sustainable energy, marine science, community outreach, and wellness.

Their VIP Cocktail Reception from 6:00 – 7:00 pm was a huge success thanks to the delicious tasting menu. Our main Reception included an Honoree Presentation, a buffet dinner catered by Elegant Affairs Catering, dessert that include cake bites from the renowned Lady M Cake Boutique in New York, coffee provided by the wonderful Hampton Coffee Company truck, live and silent auctions, and dancing with the spirited In the Groove Band.

SOO was delighted to present these scholarships at the event: the 2019 SOFO Scholarship Award made possible by a donation from BNB was awarded to Ripley Mercer. The 2019 Mulvihill Family Environmental Scholarship made possible by Mary Mulvihill was presented to Daniella Larjarza.

HONORED

Dr. Demian Chapman, the recipient of The Alan Rabinowitz 2019 SOFO Species Visionary Award, is Project Leader of Save our Seas Foundation and is an internationally recognized shark expert whose efforts have contributed to species protection.

Trammell S. Crow, the recipient of SOFO’s 2019 Environmental Education Visionary Award, is Founder of Earth Day Texas, and will be recognized for his work in advancing sustainable and resilient communities to best support Earth’s natural systems, stem climate change, protect human health and improve livability for all.

Greg Manocherian, the recipient of SOFO’s 2019 Environmental Excellence Humanitarian Award is a real estate magnate passionately committed to advancing the pace of progress and discovery in medical research.  Greg is Vice Chairman of ACT for NIH: Advancing Cures Today, a non-partisan effort committed to advancing biomedical research in the United States, and is a longstanding supporter of environmental conservation.

CHAIRS
Carole Crist, Georgia & Dr. Gerry Curatola, Eric Goode, April Gornik & Eric Fischl, Susan & David Rockefeller, and Liev Schreiber

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