The 8th Annual Long Island Imagine Awards has made the decision to convert the live awards gala to a free virtual event on YouTube Live on Tuesday, July 8, 2020 from 5:30-6:30pm. After initially rescheduling the event from April to July due to Covid-19, the volunteer planning committee agreed that rather than continue to postpone, it is best to produce an exciting virtual event and get the prize money in the hands of the winning nonprofits as soon as possible. The virtual format will feature a 30 minute “Cocktail Event” where sponsors and attendees can interact prior to the start of the program and again at the conclusion. Integrating the pre-recorded sponsor and finalist videos with the LIVE announcements of the winners in addition to offering viewers the ability to donate directly to the finalists before, during and after the YouTube Live event is an exciting and innovative approach.
Foundation President Peter J. Klein, CFA states “I am pleased to be part of this pivot to a virtual event and the live announcement of the winner of the Claire Friedlander Family Foundation Award for Arts and Culture.” This move offers anyone the ability to view and share in the excitement and celebration of our region’s top nonprofit organizations,” says Klein.
This gala event was created to offer formal acknowledgement to some of Long Island’s most effective and innovative nonprofit organizations. Over 160 nonprofit applications were submitted to win a $5,000 grant in five categories: Innovation, Leadership Excellence, Rising Star, Social Impact and Arts and Culture. Of this pool of worthy applicants, 20 were selected as finalists and one in each category will be awarded the grant during the YouTube Live awards ceremony on July 8, 2020.
Cerini & Associates Social Impact Award:
• Family Service League
• Option for Community Living
• Special Olympics
• VIBS
The Certilman Balin Leadership Excellence Award
• Robert S. Budd, CEO, Family Residence and Essential Enterprise Inc.
• Renee Flagler, Executive Director, Girls Inc of Long Island
• Dr. David Hegarty, Executive/CEO, Hope For Youth
• John Miller, President/CEO, Guide Dog Foundation and America’s Vet Dogs
The Claire Friedlander Family Foundation Arts & Culture Award
• Nassau County Museum of Art
• Patchogue Theatre of Performing Arts
• Spirit of Huntington Arts Center
• Splashes of Hope
Empire National Bank Innovation Award
• Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County
• Planned Parenthood of Nassau
• Spirit of Huntington Arts Center
• The Guide Dog Foundation
Vanguard Insurance Agency Rising Star Award
• Birthday Wishes of Long Island
• New Hour for Women and Children
• Smile Farms
• The Book Fairies
This year, the Imagine Awards introduced the Hall of Fame Award which was established to honor those organizations that consistently excel in the areas of leadership, impact and operations. These organizations continuously operate at the highest level and have been recognized by the Imagine Awards as a consistent winner or finalist. The 2020 Hall of Fame Award recipient is Island Harvest.
More information is available online http://www.imagineawardsli.com
For more information contact Hillary Needle at Hillary@Hillaryneedleevents.com, 516-993-4056.
