WADING RIVER, NY – On Sunday, September 12th, Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker joined Suffolk County Deputy Presiding Officer Kara Hahn, substance use and recovery treatment providers, advocates, and families at the first annual fundraising event for Gabriel’s Giving Tree at East Wind Long Island in Wading River. Gabriel’s Giving Tree is a grassroots charity organization that raises money to provide financial assistance to local families in need who have lost a loved one to an accidental overdose.
I want to commend the work of Gabriel’s Giving Tree, Paulette Phillippe, Claudia Friszell, Lori Carbonaro, Claudia Ragni and thank the event’s generous sponsors,
said Legislator Sarah Anker. Through heartbreaking personal experience, the founders of Gabriel’s Giving Tree saw a need and began organizing to offer financial assistance to families who have experienced a devastating loss due to an overdose. The support provided by Gabriel’s Giving Tree has offered families one less stressor in their process of grief, and for that we are very grateful and thankful.
Founded by Paulette Phillippe, this charity honors the memory of Gabriel Phillippe, Paulette’s grandson who passed in 2010 due to an accidental overdose. Gabriel’s Giving Tree operates under the 501c3 of the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. Funds raised by the organization are set aside to be available to help pay for the financial costs of funeral and memorial services for families who lost a loved one to an overdose. For more information about the organization or to donate, please visit them at www.facebook.com/Gabriels-Giving-Tree-1000790852276936/.
Pictured L-R: Suffolk County Deputy Presiding Officer Kara Hahn, Paulette Phillippe, and Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker
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