"Marilyn Salzman (left) and Judy Lev (right) stand astride Phyllis
Dorman who won more than $250 in the 50/50 chance
by the Swarovski crystal-festooned
pillars, backlit with red. Swathed
in carnation tulle, larger balloons
floated above each table, also covered
in pink.
Neon pink water bottles—deep
onyx for the men—emblazoned in
silver with “Babes Against Cancer”
and the American Cancer Society
logo greeted each participant at
their place setting. “We could not
have done this without the incredible
work by Mary Anne and Tighe,
Bob Guido and John, and the whole
country club staff,” Lev said.
Host Buffy and company put
out a delicious hot & cold spread,
including tuna and egg salad
and a selection of salad fixin’s,
eggplant rollatini and bread pudding.
“Buffy… God bless her! She
stepped up to the plate,” Lev said.
“There was never an empty dish
or serving tray. She set up urns
and champagne glasses of iced tea
and pink lemonade on the bar…
just beautiful! We had zero complaints…
ZERO!”
While attendees enjoyed the
repast, Lev expressed her gratitude
thanking her Co-Chairs, Marilyn
Salzman and Linda Savid, tireless
Champagne glasses of iced tea or pink lemonade greeted participants
as they entered the luncheon
committee members, the many
generous donors, and the dozens
of businesses and individuals who
graciously donated to the raffle.
The more than hundred gifts,
ranging from restaurant certificates
from such popular area spots as
Il Bacco and Jolly Fisherman,
to salon treatments and haircuts
from favorites, like Pouran Spa,
Boutique and Salon and Jocomo
Hair Design, to gift cards from local
merchants, such as Linda Silver
Design and Touch of Class— worth
thousands of dollars—are evidence
of the tremendous work on the part
(l. to r.) Leslie & Richard Feldman, and Diane & Howard Lipman who
stand before the hole they sponsored
of Lev and her committee. “My hair
dresser alone donated $1000,”
she said.
Lev and her team only started
selling tickets in the VIP Room at
8:30 a.m., as the golfers were taking
to the course. “Mario Carmiciano
was great. He took a stack of raffle
tickets and went table-to-table
selling them.” The selling continued
in the large downstairs card room,
through the start of the luncheon,
up to the drawing. Lev wisely
advised participants beforehand
to bring address labels to the luncheon,
so they could more easily
fill-out raffle chances. The result:
more than $5000 collected by the
raffle alone. There was also a 50/50
chance, which raised $530, half of
which goes to the ACS and the
other half went to winner Phyllis
Dorman, who bought a single play
at $10!
As the dust settled following the
day’s events, more than $45,000
was already raised. “To raise that
much is just incredible,” Lev said.
“We worked 24/7 through weekends
and were all focused. I happen
to enjoy doing it despite all the
work.” As hoped, every facet of
the event garnered greater success
than 2016, including more than
$2300 in Tree of Life “leaves” and
an impressive $16,000 in straight
donations. “Three times as many
people sponsored a hole this year!”
Lev added.
Two major facets of the overall
Babes & Guys event remain:
The Land on the Green contest
August 19 and Vendors Night
on September 7. The former is a
drawing of entrants from all the
local participating country clubs,
sponsored by the ACS, with such
impressive prizes as trips and
golf play at some of the best area
clubs. Teri Oropallo once again
will be spearheading the latter.
She introduced the popular and
successful Vendors Night last year
and promises more vendors this
fall. Plus, straight contributions
will be accepted into September.
All of which points to surpassing
Lev’s goal of $50,000. “The community
embraced it this year and
they all wanted to be a part of it,”
she said.
As for the challenges going forward,
Lev believes, just so long as
there are people willing to volunteer,
Babes & Guys will continue. “This
Longest Drive winner and Men’s
Golf Association President Stan
Yoel and Golf Pro Bob Guido
Committee members stand behind the bounty of raffle donations is going to keep growing. I know!”
August 2017 ¢ NORTH SHORE TOWERS COURIER 13