20 THE QUEENS COURIER • JUNE 8, 2017 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM Photo courtesy of Candles for Hope Charity gives children ‘hope’ – and special birthdays BY EMILY DAVENPORT edavenport@qns.com / @QNS Every child deserves to feel special on his or her birthday. Unfortunately, there are many children who are living in shelters that may not be able to have the birthday they deserve. Th at’s where Candles for Hope comes in. Candles for Hope, a nonprofi t organization based in Smithtown, Long Island, was founded by members of EXIT Realty. Th ey seek to provide birthday parties for displaced children in the community. “A few colleagues and I were inspired to start this work because we believe children should all have a birthday party,” says Susan Hamblen, President of Candles for Hope. “We believe that our place in the world matters and we should give back and make a diff erence. We were fortunate enough to come together to form this organization and provide birthday parties for children who are living in homeless shelters.” Hamblen and her colleagues were inspired to start Candles for Hope aft er hearing about the selfl ess work of another. “We learned of a story from the other side of the country of a gentleman who was doing birthday parties for homeless children, completely anonymous to the child,” says Jeff Mistretta, Vice President of Candles for Hope. “Once we heard about that, we were so grateful for his work and we really knew that there was a need on Long Island to be doing the same exact type of thing.” On March 21, Candles for Hope hosted a kick-off event that drew in over 200 guests. By the end of the event, Candles for Hope had raised $23,000 from the proceeds, $14,000 in pledges and 25 fully- sponsored birthday parties. Right now, Candles for Hope has two chapters, one in Smithtown and one in the Bronx. Th e organization hopes to expand to Queens soon. To help them achieve their goal, the Star Network is donating 100 percent of the raffl e proceeds from the Excellence in Queens Real Estate and Development Awards on June 14 to Candles for Hope. “Our main goal is truly to open up several chapters across Long Island and, maybe someday, across the country,” says Mistretta. Th ere are many ways that you can help Candles for Hope, including hosting gift drives so children can receive presents, sponsoring birthday parties and by donating directly to the organization. To donate to Candles for Hope, visit candlesforhope.org/donate_now. Join us at the Star Network’s premiere Excellence in Queens Real Estate & Development Awards & Networking Event Meet the best and brightest in the industry at the Star Network’s Premiere “Excellence in Real Estate & Development ment Awards & Networking Event” On Wednesday, June 14, join the Star Network as we honor the best and brightest from 6 to 9 p.m. at Terrace on the Park, 52-11 111th St., Flushing, NY 11368. Don’t miss what internationally renowned leader Tami Bonnell, CEO of Exit Realty Corp International, has to say. As the night’s keynote speaker, she will be speaking on, “Th e best is yet to come!” Find out how to improve day aft er day, year aft er year in every aspect of your life. Bonnell, who had been President of EXIT Realty’s US Organization since 2001, is a more than 30-year veteran of the real estate industry and was instrumental in building three major brands. Among her many achievements & awards, she was recognized by real estate trend-watcher Stefan Swanepoel as one of the 200 Most Powerful & infl uential people in residential real estate, among the 20 corporate executives and among the top 10 women leaders in real estate. At the event, the Star Network will be feting successful real estate and development professionals in the following categories: development, residential, and commercial accomplishments. Th e Humanitarian Award will go to Joe Mattone, Sr., Chairman & CEO, Mattone Group. Th e Rising Star Awards will go to Xiao Wu (Katie) Qu, Associate Broker of Prime Realty and Jonathan Talmi, Principal Broker/Owner, Exit Realty Next. Th e Excellence in Family Business award will go the Shirian Family of Th e Lion’s Group NYC. Th e evening will begin with a VIP Hour, there will be an expo and networking, and conclude with a raffl e, of which 100 percent of the proceeds will be donated to Candles for Hope, dedicated to providing birthday parties for displaced children. Sponsors of the event include: Th e Mattone Group, CUNY, EASCO, Cushman & Wakefi eld, Quontic Bank, Flushing Bank, California Closets, National Grid, Modern Spaces, EXIT Realty, MCR Development, United Mortgage, Th e Briarwood Organization, Holt Construction, Twin Peaks, Con Edison, Lyons Mortgage, HAB Bank and Broadway Stages. To purchase tickets, go to http://starnetwork.com/ qnsreeventtickets, and for more information, call Tonia N. Cimino at 718 224 5863, ext 227 or email tcimino@starnetwork.com. RISING STAR AWARD Xiao Wu (Katie) Qu, associate broker, Prime Realty RISING STAR AWARD Jonathan Talmi, principal, broker/owner, Exit Realty Next EXCELLENCE IN FAMILY BUSINESS AWARD Aaron Shirian, The Lion’s Group NYC Tami Bonnell CEO, Exit Realty Corp International HUMANITARIAN AWARD Joseph Mattone Sr., chairman & CEO, Mattone Group and t.,nation- ealty akn, ” Humanitaria Ch Risi Katie an in S Group e and wit pe b
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