The Babes are Back!
2021 Babes & Guys Against Cancer Returns!
BY JILL DAVIS
IPhotos by Dawn Steinberg t seemed pretty much like old
times when North Shore Towers’
Babes & Guys Against Cancer
held its annual fundraiser on
Thursday, July 8. The event, which
is a major fundraising effort for the
American Cancer Society, boasted
a total of 84 NST golfers competing
in a 12-hole tournament and hosted
nearly 120 at the luncheon that
followed.
A NEW NORMAL
Teri Oropallo, newly-elected NST
Board Member, chaired the event
and incorporated some of the ‘new
normal’ into the day. For example,
Towers on the Green had been the
usual venue for the luncheon, but
this year’s was held outside in
Buffy’s Tent. “This was different
from what we’ve done in the past,”
Teri said. No matter what, the fundraiser
has to start being planned
several months in advance to have
everything prepped in time. “We
began organizing back in March,”
she said, “and at the time we didn’t
know whether we could hold the
luncheon indoors.”
So with Buffy’s Tent the chosen
locale, a barbecue seemed like an
appropriate menu choice. But by
the time of the big day, indoor seating
was again permitted in NYC.
The food wasn’t going to change
though, and Teri nixed the idea of
moving the meal indoors, even if
that risked there being a rainy day.
“You have to roll with the punches,”
she said. “It’s a barbecue!” It
might have been hot and humid,
but thankfully there was no rain.
Buffy provided quite a feast, which
included burgers of the turkey, veggie
and beef varieties, along with
sides of corn, beans, all the fixings,
and, of course, pink lemonade.
But pink lemonade wasn’t the
only beverage available. Fred
Evanko, who founded Links
Drinks last year, donated five cases
of the transfusion cocktail (a blend
of vodka, ginger ale and grape
juice) to the event. His generosity
was in memory of his daughter who
passed away from cancer several
years ago.
A beautiful day, a beautiful course
The guys hit the links too! Judy Lev donated the luncheon
A TEAM EFFORT
“No one person can do this
alone,” Teri said, and another
new twist this year was the makeup
of the group of volunteers.
Traditionally, volunteers consisted
only of golfers, but this year the call
to help went out to non-golfers as
well. In total, Teri reported that 23
NST residents raised their hands to
volunteer. “It really made the event
even more pleasant and easier to
organize,” she said.
But you can’t have a successful
fundraiser if word doesn’t get
out. Teri thanked Evelyn Pinsky,
who coordinated publicity, which
included developing the flyers and
making sure they were distributed
in the community newspapers and
posted in building lobbies and
monitors.
Teri also wanted to be sure to
acknowledge Judy Lev, who not
only donated the entire luncheon
but also served as chair of the raffle
committee. What’s so complicated
about raffles? Well, after all
the generous contributions were
received, they had to be sorted out
to create prizes of equal value, then
assembled and labeled attractively.
Altogether, the raffle committee
collected over $3,000 in donations.
But we can’t forget about the
golf! Teri gave a shout out to Kathy
Bitetti, president of the Women’s
Golf Club, and Club Manager Bob
Guido who met to set up the foursomes
and figure out the order of
when each group would start out.
That’s 21 groups, no easy task.
Mary Anne Langone, Manager of
the Country Club, worked long and
hard to help make the event successful.
“She did a yeoman’s job,”
Teri said. She went on to explain
Babes Card Party and Afternoon Tea
Monday, September 20, 12:00 – 2:30 pm
Movie Card Room
Attendees to previous Babes events know that a card party was
held concurrently with the golf event. This year, it’s getting its own
day and time, complete with an afternoon tea. There will be raffles
and—very important—a hat contest. Sign up soon since space is
limited. See the flyer for more details!
6 NORTH SHORE TOWERS COURIER ¢ August 2021