Red Hook Winery Dinner

Ten years ago, friends Robert Catalano and Mark Snyder both embarked on momentous events – Robert founded Kids for Kids Foundation and Mark opened Red Hook Winery.

And recently the two came together to host an intimate dinner at the winery to raise $20,000 for St. Mary’s Hospital for Children – one of Kids for Kids newest beneficiaries.

“Not only am I lucky to have a friend that owns a winery, but he also happens to be a friend that is very charitable and has always donated his time and money and energy to helping any of my charitable missions,” Robert shared with the room.

Thirty friends gathered on the Brooklyn waterfront for a family-style meal prepared by Mark and two Kids for Kids Committee Members – Paul Lombardozzi and Nick Raineri.

The menu rivaled some of New York City’s finest restaurants: tuna shashimi with yuzu kosho sauce, langosteens broiled with crabmeat in a lemon butter sauce, fresh caught salmon from Alaska prepared broiled and pan seared, fresh asparagus with morel mushrooms that were flown in from Oregon the day before, and dry-aged NY strips and bone-in rib-eye steaks.

Between courses, guests mingled outside along the East River, sipped delicious wine, and bid on silent auction items such as Arturo Fuente Opus X Cigars, Yankee tickets, VIP access Billy Joel tickets, and a Carlos Beltran signed Mets jersey.

The biggest winner of the night was St. Mary’s, whose mission is to improve the health and quality of life for children with special needs and life-limiting conditions and their families. Proceeds from the event will help some of New York’s sickest kids.

“We’re the place where the kids and the families come to after they’ve been to the hospital, when they really need ongoing care – maybe for every single day of their life – and where they have no where else to turn to,” shared Dr. Edwin F. Simpser, President and Chief Executive Officer of St. Mary’s.

Their state-of-the-art facility currently has 103 beds with 60 kids on the waiting list. With funding from Kids for Kids, they will be adding 21 much needed beds in their new wing.

Referencing the new wing, Dr. Simpser said, “Without the support of folks like you, we couldn’t get there. Folks like you who support the wonderful work we do so that we can serve more kids and families. You guys are the heroes.”

Our heroes for the evening include all of our event supporters, donors, and chefs!