STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — As a way to bring together nonprofit leaders from across the borough, Nonprofit Staten Island played host to a festive Cultural Spotlight Mixer at the National Lighthouse Museum Thursday evening.
Some 125 guests braved the elements and the made their way to The Promenade at Lighthouse Point in St. George to partake in an evening of connection and celebration, one that offered volunteer groups networking opportunities and enabled leaders to share their best business practices.
On tap were nonprofit leaders, community partners, cultural institutions, and stakeholders who traveled from across Staten Island.
At SI Notprofit at the National Lighthouse Museum, are from the left, Dawn Daniels, Susan Fenley and Amanda Straniere. (Courtesy/Steve White)Steve White
Staged inside the North Shore cultural that opened its doors in 2015, the National Lighthouse Museum is dedicated to the history of lighthouses and their keepers.
The gathering that also commemorated Nonprofit Staten Island’s 20th anniversary, created space for meaningful relationship-building across organizations and sectors, reinforcing the importance of cultural institutions and shared community values in fostering connection and collaboration.
From the left, Ashley Price of the Staten Island Museum, Irene Cavanagh, Eden II, Jacqualine Caruso of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and CSI, and Amanda Ruszkowski of Casa Belvedere. (Courtesy/Steve White) teSteve White
Tatiana Sabatelli, executive director of Nonprofit Staten Island, speaks at the Mixer at the National Lighthouse Museum. (Courtesy/Steve White)Steve White
“Good evening everyone and welcome to our Annual Cultural Spotlight,” said Tatiana Sabatelli, the executive director of Nonprofit Staten Island. “I’m so grateful to see all of you here and truly honored to open tonight’s program. For those who may not know me, I’m Tatiana Sabatelli, executive director of Nonprofit Staten Island, and this event holds a very special place in my heart. The Cultural Spotlight is about more than just celebration… it’s about recognition, representation, and reflection.
“It’s about honoring the stories, cultures, and lived experiences that make our community so rich, vibrant, and resilient. Tonight, we gather not just to learn and to enjoy, but to stand together in appreciation of the histories, traditions, and voices that shape Staten Island and beyond.
“We are especially excited to be here at the National Lighthouse Museum, a place that symbolizes guidance, innovation, and hope.
“This evening is made possible by the generous support of A Chance in Life and we are deeply grateful for their partnership.”
At the Nonprofit Staten Island Mixer at the National Lighthouse Museum, are from the left, Tiffany Carlson and Tatiana Sabatelli. (Courtesy/Steve White)Steve White
Linda Dianto speaks at the Nonprofit Staten Island Mixer at the National Lighthouse Museum. (Courtesy/Steve White)Steve White
Sabatelli would then introduce Linda Dianto, executive director of the National Lighthouse Museum, who presented a deeper look into its history, mission, and impact it’s had on Staten Island and beyond.
“Hosting the Cultural Awareness Winter Mixer at the National Lighthouse Museum is an opportunity to bring nonprofit leaders together in a space that celebrates diversity, shared values, and meaningful connection,” said Dianto.
“I am so honored to be able to have my colleagues come to the museum especially on an extremely frigid evening. It’s extremely important for non profits to collaborate and share and exchange ideas and resources with each other.
“At a time when collaboration matters more than ever, this gathering strengthens relationships across our sector and reinforces our collective commitment to serving Staten Island’s communities with understanding and inclusivity.”
From the left, from A Very Special Place, are Kate Sullivan, Laura Delon, Kristen Hepsen, and Dina Klein. In the center is attorney, Kevin P. McKernan. (Courtesy/Steve White)Steve White
At the Nonprofit Staten Island Mixer at the National Lighthouse Museum are, from the left, Linda Dianto, Mike Bloomfield and Vinny Bonami. (Courtesy/Steve White)Steve White
Tatiana Sabatelli and Joanne Gerenser at the Nonprofit Staten Island Mixer at the National Lighthouse Museum. (Courtesy/Steve White)Steve White
Sabatelli added that that the evening translated into a celebration of nonprofits at a cultural event and noted that the organization so happy to put the spotlight on the National Lighthouse Museum.
At the Nonprofit Staten Island Mixer at the National Lighthouse Museum are from the left, Juliet Douglas, Tatiana Sabatelli and Tiffany Carlson. (Courtesy/Steve White)Steve White
Michelle Bascome, director of Programs & Development, Nonprofit Staten Island, commented: “We host the mixer because non profits are always challenged to do the work they aim to do.”
Dianto, who also offered a short dissertation on the history of lighthouses, referenced President George Washington, who authorized the first federal lighthouse project, in 1789, the first public works project of the new U.S. government. It was overseen by Alexander Hamilton in order to secure shipping lanes.
“Lighthouses were the original GPS’s,” she said. “There are 15,000 in the world — and five on land and five off shore that can be seen from Staten Island.”
THE MISSION OF NONPROFIT STATEN ISLAND
The mission of Nonprofit Staten Island is to strengthen Staten Island’s non-profit sector, and build the capacity of the local groups through a variety of programs that foster communication, collaboration and leadership development — while ensuring that they can effectively serve the community.
Nonprofit Staten Island also offers volunteer groups networking opportunities, and enables leaders to share their best practices.
The National Lighthouse Museum which is just steps from the St. George Ferry Terminal and in the heart of the North Shore renaissance, displays lighthouse replicas, photographs and artifacts, including charts, maps and letters.