Bideawee Honors Four Heroes with Hearts of Gold at its Silver Anniversary Gala

Bideawee celebrated the selfless contributions of four deserving heroes that have significantly impacted the vulnerable animals it serves tonight at the 25th Anniversary of its Gala. Playful pups and the people who love them gathered for the 2025 Bideawee Ball Hearts of Heroes where funds were raised to rescue, treat and place homeless dogs and cats in permanent, loving homes. At 122 years old, Bideawee is one of the country’s oldest animal welfare and pet adoption organizations with locations in Manhattan and Long Island. The fundraising gala – open to well-behaved dogs and their doting human parents – took place at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in Manhattan.

Bideawee celebrated this special silver anniversary gala by honoring four individuals with hearts of gold. Honorees included:

· Jerome Harkins

o Jerome, Construction Superintendent of JEF Construction, was honored for the generous and fast-paced response the construction team had to a complex incident last summer in which two young kittens living on the streets had fallen through a small hole in a window well, plummeting several feet down with no way out. When Bideawee was asked to help, it enlisted the assistance of JEF, which it had used for its recent flagship remodel. The JEF team sprang into action – probono – to jackhammer through the concrete and cut through the metal structures. With the assistance of Bideawee’s Feral Cat Initiative team, one of the kittens was able to be saved and today is living in his forever home.

· Teddy Henn

o As Founder of Long Island Lost Dog Search and Rescue, Teddy’s knowledge as an expert trapper has been invaluable to Bideawee, particularly in finding and safely rescuing lost dogs, including two very special cases this past year—Babygirl (lost for 8 days) and Peppermint (lost for 6 days) — who were both found safely thanks to his tireless work. He has built a trusted network and a vital resource for pet owners in crisis, offering expertise and support when it matters most and at no cost. His selfless commitment to animal welfare, combined with his deep compassion and dedication, makes him a true hero in the eyes of the countless families whose pets he has helped bring home.

· Zen Micheline Hung

o A compassionate and creative teenage volunteer who brings a unique touch to Bideawee’s adoption center by playing the piano for the pets, something never done before at Bideawee, Zen helps them relax and feel more at ease. She also spreads awareness about the importance of volunteering and encouraging others to get involved in the community.

· Rod Thomas

o A dedicated volunteer at Bideawee’s adoption center and Bideawee adopter, Rod wrote a song about his late beloved cat, Sunny, and donated a portion of the song’s sales to Bideawee. His music as DJ BrightLight BrightLight has brought energy and joy to Bideawee’s events. A true friend to Bideawee, Rod always supports its mission and helps Bideawee spread the word through his social media and music. He is also a new cat dad to Quince, who he adopted from Bideawee.

To mark the 25th Anniversary of the Bideawee Ball and in an effort to allow more people the ability to make a significant contribution to its vulnerable animals, Bideawee -- this year – significantly reduced ticket prices to its annual gala. Guests were encouraged to come and party with a purpose at this highly anticipated event. While table and ticket prices varied, a special discounted $250.00 ticket included a beautiful sit-down dinner, an open bar, music and dancing, dogs in cocktail attire, and an unforgettable evening supporting dogs and cats in need. For the cost of dinner and a show in NYC, guests could enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience and be a part of something truly meaningful.

Leslie Granger, CAWA, President and CEO of Bideawee, noted, “As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of our gala, it is fitting that our honorees truly embody the spirit of the work we do at Bideawee. These individuals have gone above and beyond to ensure the well-being of the animals we serve and those within the community. Jerome, Teddy, Zen, and Rod – on behalf of the animals whose lives you’ve improved – and even saved – we thank you. I encourage everyone in our community to consider what talents you can bring to the table to help our sweet and vulnerable four-legged friends. What may seem to you like something small can make an immeasurable impact on the lives of animals in need.”

The Ball offered a treat bar, sponsored by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, complete with special Hill‘s treats, exclusively for our four-legged guests.

For the humans on hand, the evening offered a cocktail hour, seated dinner, live donation appeal, and a live auction.

Dress code for the more than 300 hundred people and 100 pups was black-tie optional.

The Signature Sponsor was H/3 Foundation; the Treat Bar Sponsor was Hill’s Pet Nutrition; the Canine Lounge Sponsor was Data Axle; and the Beverage Sponsor was Tito’s Handmade Vodka.

About Bideawee

Bideawee, which means “stay awhile,” in Scottish, is one of the country’s oldest animal welfare and pet adoption organizations. Founded in 1903, Bideawee’s mission is to create and strengthen the human-animal bond through best-in-class lifesaving and compassionate care for pets and the people who love them. Bideawee provides an array of high touch services including adoption centers, animal hospital, pet therapy programs, and pet memorial parks that serve pets and pet lovers on their lifelong journey together. Bideawee is a not-for-profit 501(c) 3 humane animal organization and 100% of Bideawee’s funding comes from private sources. Bideawee operates in New York City, Wantagh, and Westhampton. For more information, visit: www.Bideawee.org