Adventureland’s Helping Hands Foundation event raises $400,000

Nearly 2,000 people were in attendance for Adventureland’s eighth annual Helping Hands Foundation Friends & Family V.I.P. event, raising $400,000 to help Long Islanders.

The highlight of the evening was the Vivian and Tony Gentile Scholarship Fund awarding 13 scholarships of $5,000 each, $65,000 in total, to high school seniors that will be attending college as full-time students on Long Island this fall.

“I’m truly honored to have been selected for the Vivian and Tony Gentile Employee scholarship and the opportunity it represents,” said Ella Simone, 2025 Employee Scholarship recipient. “I also greatly appreciated being a part of V.I.P Night! It was such a wonderful experience and very meaningful to be included.”

“Adventureland’s Helping Hands Foundation is thrilled to be the catalyst for Long Islanders helping Long Islanders — the support we have received through our annual VIP Night event is incredible,” said Steve Gentile, Adventureland’s Helping Hands Foundation’s board president. “We are so grateful and thank you for the opportunity to serve Long Island and honored to have such extraordinary support from our donors and sponsors.”

The funds raised will allow Adventureland 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 $1 million for Long Island charities, nonprofit organizations, and worthy programs.

To learn more about Adventureland’s Helping Hands Foundation, visit www.HelpingHandsLI.org.