Adventureland's Helping Hands Foundation Announces VIP Night In Farmingdale

FARMINGDALE, NY — Adventureland announced its annual Helping Hands Foundation Friends & Family V.I.P. event is scheduled for 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5. — doors open at 5:30 p.m.

This event raises thousands of dollars to help Long Islanders each year, according to Helping Hands Foundation. The event is open to the public. Anyone can purchase a ticket to attend and support the fundraiser. Individual tickets cost $175 per person.

Individual tickets and group packages are available by advanced reservation only. Tickets include unlimited food, snacks, rides and live entertainment including live Music by DJ Theo. Raffles and sponsorship opportunities available.

"This event is so special for families and friends to come together in celebration and support of Adventureland’s Helping Hands Foundation," said Steven Gentile, Adventureland’s Helping Hands Foundation’s president, in a news release. "We are so grateful for all our donors that believe in our mission to help Long Island reach its potential."

During this event, The Vivian and Tony Gentile Scholarship Fund will award 13 $5K scholarships ($65K) to high school seniors who will be attending college as a full-time student on Long Island this fall. To date, the foundation has awarded more than $333K in scholarships since the program started in 2016.

Premier raffle items this year include a $10K cash prize, Sabrina Carpenter tickets, Islanders suite tickets, Gucci Marmont bag, LV Neverfull bag, a Sephora shopping spree, a holiday lights package and much more. Raffles will be available for purchase in advance and on the night of.

A full list of raffle items can be viewed here.

Each September Adventureland's Helping Hands Foundation hosts a night of unlimited food, rides, and fun at Adventureland.

"This exclusive, limited ticket event is a night to not only celebrate what the foundation has accomplished throughout the year, but to also support programs that fulfill a variety of needs throughout the Long Island Community," the foundation stated.

This year, the event fundraising goal is $400K. The funds raised will allow Adventureland’s Helping Hands Foundation to lend an even greater helping hand to the Long Island Community by allowing the organization to grow and expand the Vivian & Tony Gentile Scholarship Program and its grant program and goods drives.

Since its founding in 2013, the foundation has raised over $1M for Long Island charities, non-profit organizations and worthy programs.

Children under 2 can enjoy complimentary admission. Parking is free. All entry is through the Catholic Health Main Entrance.

For questions or sponsorship information, people may contact Caitlin at Caitlin@HelpingHandsLI.org.

To learn more about Adventureland’s Helping Hands Foundation, people may visit its website.

Adventureland's Helping Hands Foundation was created in 2013 with the goal of helping Long Island reach its potential. Tony Gentile, one of the founding fathers of Adventureland, always wanted to give back to the Long Island community, and this foundation was created in his memory to do just that.

"Thanks to the tireless efforts of our supporters, we have donated over $1,000,000 to Long Island students, nonprofits, and programs!" the foundation stated. "We are thrilled to have reached this milestone and to be able to give back to the communities that have made Adventureland a part of their lives for over 60 years!"

Here’s how the foundation has given back to Long Island since 2013:

• $333,000+ in scholarships awarded through the Vivian and Tony Gentile Scholarship Program.
• $130,000+ in grants and monetary donations to Long Island nonprofits.
• $90,000 in school/classroom supplies purchased for Long Island Teachers through the Clear the List Program.
• $80,000+ in funds and food donated to the Town of Babylon Food Pantry and Island Harvest.
• $50,000 pledged to Breakthrough T1D of Long Island awarded in 2019.
• $50,000 pledged to the Good Samaritan Hospital’s Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit awarded in 2022.
• $50,000 pledged to Nassau Suffolk Services for Autism (NSSA) in 2024.
• $25,000 in scholarships award to St. Dominic High School in 2019.
• $25,000 in PPE Equipment donated to local hospitals in 2020.
• $20,000 pledged to Stony Brook Child Life Program in 2016.
• $20,000 in Christmas gifts purchased for at least 227 children through the Town of Babylon. Christmas Angels Program.
• $18,000 donated through the bottle recycling program—the foundation has recycled more than 350,000 bottles to date.