HWCLI Press Release: HWCLI Hosts Annual Fundraising Gala – Public -Health and Welfare Council of Long Island (HWCLI)

Huntington Station, NY — The Health & Welfare Council of Long Island (HWCLI), a leading health and human services agency serving Long Island’s communities, hosted its Endless Summer Soirée Gala at The Piermont on September 9, 2025. The fundraiser drew nearly 300 Long Island nonprofit executives, business leaders, and government partners in support of HWCLI’s mission of service and leadership.
HWCLI’s Endless Summer Soirée was proudly sponsored by Broadridge, FourLeaf Federal Credit Union, Healthfirst, and Unite Us.
Established in 1947, HWCLI began as a groundbreaking innovation in countywide planning and thought leadership, following a call from Nassau County’s medical community to establish a specialized council focused on streamlined health and human services delivery.
For nearly 78 years, HWCLI has been Long Island’s go-to agency for advocacy, convening, and planning. From 9/11 to Superstorm Sandy to COVID-19, HWCLI has united the human services sector to leverage resources and respond to the region’s evolving needs. As Long Island’s demographics and challenges have shifted, HWCLI has adapted with new strategies to ensure communities are supported and voices are heard. In 2024-2025 alone, HWCLI commitment to new focuses like Maternal Health, and became Long Island’s exclusive Social Care Network (HEALI). HWCLI’s Board of Directors is comprised primarily of executives from leading human service agencies, whose expertise and knowledge guide HWCLI’s work in advancing equity and strengthening Long Island’s safety net.

Vanessa Baird-Streeter, President and CEO, HWCLI

“As we celebrate 78 years of service, the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island is proud to honor exceptional partners and raise critical funds to advance our mission. Together, we are working to combat poverty, hunger, and health inequities, and to address the many challenges facing our Long Island communities,.” says Vanessa Baird-Streeter, President/CEO.

At the celebration, HWCLI honored the following partners for their work in Long Island communities:Sun River Health – Health Care Champion Award Sammy Chu, CEO, Edgewise Energy – Trailblazer Award NFP, an Aon company – Corporate Champion Award Jack O’Connell, HWCLI President & CEO 1976-2007 – Lifetime Achievement Award

“By its very name and by its long and distinguished history, the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island embodies what it means to build strong and durable communities as health and welfare are bedrock values that without the fabric of society frays and disintegrates”, said James Sinkoff, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Sun River Health. “The collective is strengthened by HWCLI because individuals, families and communities are served and bettered by their work. It is a great honor and privilege for Sun River Health and the Sun River family to be honored by HWCLI but an even greater privilege to partner with HWCLI to continue on the quest and journey to bring stability and vitality to all communities on Long Island.”

James Sinkoff, Deputy Chief Executive Officer & Chief Financial Officer, Sun River Health

Colleen Merlo, HWCLI Board Chair, Corinne Hammons, HWCLI Board of Director, Sammy Chu, CEO of Edgewise Energy, Vanessa Baird Streeter

“I am honored to be named HWCLI’s 2025 Trailblazer. Having served on the board for more than a decade, I have seen firsthand how HWCLI delivers real solutions to some of the toughest challenges facing Long Island families—whether it’s fighting food insecurity, expanding healthcare access, or supporting maternal health”, said Sammy Chu, CEO of Edgewise Energy and HWCLI Board of Director. “To be recognized by an organization that consistently advances dignity, equity, and opportunity in our communities is a privilege, and I’m proud to continue standing with them in this work.”

“We are deeply honored to be recognized by the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island. This recognition underscores the importance of our shared commitment to advancing equity and supporting the well-being of communities across Long Island. We greatly admire HWCLI’s ongoing work and the council’s dedication to creating lasting, positive change. This partnership strengthens our resolve to continue working together to expand opportunities, address critical challenges, and further HWCLI’s mission for a stronger, more equitable Long Island”

Colleen Merlo, HWCLI Board Chair, Pamela Wheeler, Chief Inclusion and Belonging Officer of NFP, Allison Kaylor-Flink, Senior Vice President, Retirement and Corporate Benefits of NFP, Vanessa Baird-Streeter

Jack O’Connell, Former President and CEO of HWCLI (1976-2007)

“1976 seems like only a short time ago. On a Monday, in March, I drove to Hempstead to start working at the Health & Welfare Council, which, at the time, was located in a building housing the WHLI radio station. It wasn’t long before I learned something I never knew, even though I grew up in Queens – that there were literally thousands of Long Islanders families who lived at or near the poverty level. My next thirty years at the Council were dedicated to developing programs and services that would meet the needs of these families”, said Jack O’Connell. “The recent Summer Soirée sponsored by the Council was like that dream had come true. At the terrific gala, run by HWCLI staff, I was heartened to hear of the great work being done by today’s Council Staff and Board. The best part was hearing about the institutionalization of great programs helping at risk Long Islanders access health care, nutritional assistance and other very necessary services and benefits. Programs, that were in their infancy a decade ago are now central to a service system. Agencies, that were serving at risk populations were no longer solely on their own. They are now part of a system dedicated to serving those in need. It was a great night celebrating great steps towards justice for all!”

Please click here to view the photos from our Endless Summer Soiree. Enter your email and provide the following download pin to download any photos, 6238.