46 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • JUNE 2018
GOLFING FOR A CAUSE
Tariq Khan and Barry Koff were the
guests of honor at the 31st annual
Geraldo Rivera Golf & Tennis
Classic, which raised funds for a
nonprofit that helps people with
developmental disabilities.
The event also featured meet and
greets NY Giants Super Bowl
XXV MVP Ottis Anderson and
former NY Yankees Catcher Rick
Cerone. Kahn, of Hewlett Harbor,
a Pakistani immigrant who is now
a local business leader, and Koff
his friend from Long Beach, were
pleased to be the guests of honor.
“Barry Koff and I have played
together in this Geraldo Rivera
tournament the past five years,”
Tariq said. “Whenever we play
together we enjoy our game and
some laughs.” He added that the
event gave him and his friend “great
pleasure while bringing some value
and benefit to Life’s WORC/The
Family Center For Autism.”
The nonprofit organization, founded
in 1971 by Long Island Press Copublisher
Victoria Schneps-Yunis,
helps thousands of local families. It
was set up in response to the plight
of her daughter, Lara, who was a
resident in the baby buildings of
the infamous Willowbrook State
institution on Staten Island, which
deteriorated after government
funding cuts.
Tariq Khan (left) and Piccolo’s
Restaurant proprietor Robert
Franceschini.
Schneps-Yunis gave interviews
to then-rookie reporter Geraldo
Rivera, helping him expose
deplorable conditions there before
she and her husband filed a federal
class action lawsuit that closed the
institution.
Furthering that mission, Rivera
now leads the tournament that
raises funds for Life’s WORC.
The fundraiser is usually held at a
country club on the North Shore
of Nassau County, but this year
it was on the South Shore. It was
held Thursday, May 24 at Seawane
Country Club in Hewlett Harbor.
Barry Koff, Geraldo Rivera and Tariq Khan.
“The Life’s WORC/Family Center
For Autism golfers and supporters
are in for a special treat this time
visiting one of the finest, most
prestigious South Shore clubs on
Long Island,” Koff said.
“Both of our guests of honor enjoy
a widespread following of friends
and business associates,” said Matt
Zebatto, the organization’s Assistant
Executive Director. “Their enthusiastic
commitment is most welcome.”
Broadway and movie producer Roger Cooper, City Sign USA Chairman
Rick Del Mastro, and New York State Automatic Vending Association
President John Murn.
Barry Koff, Fox News Channel Talk Show Host Sean Hannity, Geraldo
Rivera, ice cream distributor Martin Kelly, and Tariq Khan.