Resident Joins Cause To Buy Gifts For Kids In Need

Huntington resident Christine Montanti, third from left, is joined by, from left, Tony Davida, Kevin Muldowney, Ralph Scordino and Steve Neary last week at the eighth annual Holiday Dreams event, which helped raise money to buy gifts for children of families in need. Photos/Rob Rich/SocietyAllure.com

By Janee Law
jlaw@longislandergroup.com

A Huntington resident hosted the annual Holiday Dreams event last week, helping to continue a mission that’s given back to hundreds of Long Island families each of the past eight holiday seasons.

Christine Montanti, senior editor of Social Life Magazine, served as the host of this year’s event, which was held at Venetian Yacht Club in Babylon.

She worked to continue a cause that was first founded eight years ago by Rhonda Klch, of Equity First Foundation, and has assisted over 250 families by raising money to buy gifts for children.

Each year, families register for donations through schools, churches, community programs, after care and shelters. There’s then an interview process, during which a wish list for each child in the family is collected.

Funds are then raised and the money is used to buy gifts for the kids.

“This year, our goal was to assist over 500 families… and doubling our financial goal to $100,000 in donations,” said Montanti, who added that the cause garners more inquiries each year.

Donations are being collected through Holidaydreamsli.com, she said, and donations will be handed out during a private event on Dec. 23.

Three hundred people attended last week’s event, during which a variety of entertainment was provided, including performances by television comedian Chris Monty; Marina Palacios and Dimitriy Saykovskyy, professional ballroom dancers and co-owners of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Huntington; and musical artist Nicolette.

The event was also presented by Larry McDonnell, board member of Holiday Dreams, and Dean Spinato, of TiedIn Media.