BLOG : Top 5 Reasons to Come to the Concepts 2016 Annual Gala

This is it, your last day to buy Concepts Gala tickets! There are a million reasons to support Concepts and participate. Five of our favorites? Here they are:

Reason #1

Experience an array of artistic expressions of community. Concepts has curated a collection of poetry, stories, paintings, photos, drawings and more into a printed booklet. Each Gala attendee will receive a copy of this beautiful booklet.

Reason #2

Enjoy live music by Kvetch! Kvetch’s lively melodies embrace the klezmer tradition with eclectic musicianship and personality. Concepts is so thrilled to host this exciting band at our 2016 Gala!

Reason #3

Meet fellow Concepts community members, leaders in the field, advocates and supporters, as well as our own Consumers and Personal Assistants. Concepts Gala is a superb opportunity to meet and mingle, relish in the spirit of consumer direction, and celebrate our notable honorees.

• Senator Charles Schumer (award to be accepted by a representative from Senator Schumer's office) – will be presented with the Sandra Schnur Advocacy Award for his work to promote independence, freedom, and dignity for people with disabilities, including his introduction of the Disability Integration Act, which would support people with disabilities living and thriving in the community.  
• Mr. Jean Jeune will be presented with the Abe Zelmanowitz Humanitarian Award for bravery and heroism in the face of severe danger to save the life of a person with a disability. In June of 2016, Mr. Jeune, a paratransit bus driver in Nassau county, put his life at risk to save the life of a person with a disability. When his vehicle caught on fire, the power was cut to the electric wheelchair lift, rendering it inoperable. One of his passengers was in a wheelchair and still on the bus. Mr. Jeune acted quickly to remove this passenger before the bus was engulfed in flames.
• Basic Pay LLC will be presented the Corporate Excellence Award for exceptional dedication in addressing Concepts’ unique consumer directed payroll needs, and ultimately bringing Concepts through to a new chapter that embraces the needs of Personal Assistants and Consumers more deeply.

Reason #4

Try your chance at winning! Concepts is raffling off some wonderful surprises at our Gala donated by some of New York’s most renowned entities. From experiences (Art! Spas! Trips to the zoo!) to sports memorabilia, to yummy goodies, we have something for everyone to try their luck for. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank the generous donors of our raffle items:

MoMA - The Museum of Modern Art
The New York Giants
The New York Knicks
The New York Jets
The Bronx Zoo
Hampton Coffee Company
Body by Brooklyn Spa & Lounge
Chipotle
3E Love

Reason #5

The best reason to attend Concepts Annual Gala? You demonstrate your support for consumer directed services! Participating in Concepts Annual Gala is a direct expression that you care about independence, freedom and dignity for people with disabilities.

Want to be a part of this amazing evening?

Purchase tickets online

Or

Pay by check using this form, and then email us at mtaylor@coiny.org to reserve your spot today!