Volunteers Called, Angels Answered

When someone believes passionately in a cause, even a lack of funds can’t stop them from achieving their goals. It certainly didn’t stop Steve Kantor, executive vice president of KEH Insurance; Christine Messina of allRisk Property Damage Experts and other members of the CARES (Child Abuse Research Education and Service) Institute Advisory Board from organizing their own gala, even when the Institute itself had no budget for one.

“We said, ‘let’s just throw a party and see what happens,’” said Mr. Kantor. They created an advisory board of business leaders that shared their passion for helping the CARES Institute. As a group, they started making calls to local businesses and corporations and were overwhelmed by the response. More than 350 people attended the “Calling All Angels” gala and the event raised more than $75,000 to help abused and neglected children who are being treated at the CARES Institute.

“We are heartened when we find individuals in our community who see the importance of the work we do and step up to the plate to help us do more for these kids,” said Martin Finkel, DO, CARES Co-Director.