The third annual Cigar Dinner & Fundraiser takes place Monday at 6 p.m. at 388 Italian Restaurant in Roslyn Heights, raising money for Long Island-based nonprofits supported by The Sorrentino Family Charity.
For Matthew Sorrentino, the charity’s founder, the event is personal.
“I lost my brother, my mother and my father to cancer,” said Sorrentino, owner of 388, in a news release about the fundraiser.
“That kind of loss either breaks you or it drives you,” he said. “For me and my family, it drives us. Every year at this dinner, we honor them and we do something about it. We are grateful to everyone who comes out and supports this cause.”
Proceeds from this year’s fundraiser will support several organizations. The Guardian Brain Foundation, of which Sorrentino is vice president, supports brain tumor research and assistance programs for patients and families affected by brain cancer. Crime Victims Center, which is doing business as Parents for Megan’s Law, provides services for survivors of crime, sexual abuse and human trafficking across Long Island. Sensory Island offers programs and resources for individuals with autism and sensory processing challenges. The Mason Atlas Foundation advocates for faster referral pathways for children facing brain cancer, funds dedicated pediatric research and works to build a more integrated system of care for families; this foundation was created in memory of Mason Atlas McCulloch, a young boy who fought pediatric brain cancer.
Tickets for the events are $250 per person and include a full Italian dinner, premium cigars, cocktails, raffles and live entertainment by Johnny Avino. Donations and proceeds from the event are tax-deductible.
Sponsors include The Little Cigar Factory, Chris & Tony’s Restaurant & Lounge, Sole Free with Harlan Friedman, Notorious Pink Rose and Events by Tommy.
Dining and Cooking