{"id":260945,"date":"2026-06-09T19:55:51","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T19:55:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/260945\/"},"modified":"2026-06-09T19:55:51","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T19:55:51","slug":"neptune-ball-celebrates-snug-harbors-50th-anniversary-with-a-gala-honors-and-the-debut-of-a-dance-party","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/260945\/","title":{"rendered":"Neptune Ball celebrates Snug Harbor\u2019s 50th anniversary with a gala, honors and the debut of a dance party"},"content":{"rendered":"

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 A night of elegance and celebration marked a milestone for one of Staten Island\u2019s most prized cultural landmarks.<\/p>\n

On Friday, June 5, more than 330 supporters, civic leaders, artists and philanthropists gathered for the 2026 Neptune Ball on the grounds of Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden in Livingston to celebrate the institution\u2019s 50th anniversary and support its future.<\/p>\n

Held on a warm summer evening, the annual fundraiser drew hundreds of guests for a celebration of culture, nature and community, featuring cocktails and dinner.<\/p>\n

Awards were presented to three recipients whose support has deeply impacted Snug Harbor: Larry Anderson posthumously received the Snug Harbor Lifetime of Service Award; Laurie Cumbo received the Neptune Award for the Arts; and The Vincent Gruppuso Foundation received the Captain Randall Award for Community Service.<\/p>\n

For the first time in the event\u2019s history, organizers added a dedicated Neptune Dance Party, bringing a new dimension to one of Staten Island\u2019s signature philanthropic events.<\/p>\n

\"TheScenes from the Neptune Ball held at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden on June 5, 2026.(Steve White for the Advance\/SILive.com)Steve White for the Advance\/SILive.com<\/p>\n

The evening began at 6:30 p.m. on the Music Hall Annex Lawn, where guests mingled over cocktails before proceeding to The Great Hall for a formal seated dinner and awards program honoring individuals and organizations whose contributions have strengthened Snug Harbor and the broader community.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s event maintained the tradition of an elegant gala while introducing a more contemporary celebration. <\/p>\n

Inside The Great Hall, guests gathered for dinner, remarks and presentations reflecting on Snug Harbor\u2019s 50-year legacy. <\/p>\n

Outside, the Neptune Dance Party offered a lively post-dinner gathering on the lawn, beginning at 8 p.m., featuring music, cocktails and light bites beneath the night sky.<\/p>\n

\"(SteveFamily members and friends of the late Larry Anderson, honoree, at the Neptune Ball on June 5, 2026, including his husband, Matthew Walby, center, with Jessica Vodoor, President and CEO of Snug Harbor. (Steve White for the Advance\/SILive.com)(Steve White for the Advance\/SILive.com)<\/p>\n

One of the evening\u2019s most emotional moments came when the Snug Harbor Lifetime of Service Award was presented posthumously to Lawrence \u201cLarry\u201d Anderson, whose 16 years of service left a lasting imprint on the institution.<\/p>\n

Introducing the award, Snug Harbor President and CEO Jessica Vodoor reflected on Anderson\u2019s impact.<\/p>\n

\u201cTonight, we gather to celebrate extraordinary service \u2014 to recognize those rare individuals whose impact becomes part of the very fabric of a place,\u201d Vodoor said. <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd tonight, we do so with both deep gratitude and deep sorrow, as we honor our beloved colleague, friend and community champion \u2014 Larry Anderson.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"larryDuring his 16 years at Snug Harbor, Larry Anderson touched countless lives with his warmth, generosity, and unwavering dedication to Staten Island. He was remembered for his tireless support of every project at Snug Harbor and the historic Music Hall\u2014whose restoration he championed until his final days. (Courtesy Snug Harbor Cultural Center)Third-Party-Submitted<\/p>\n

Anderson served in multiple leadership roles across Snug Harbor, helping guide performing arts programming, public events, production management, and campus stewardship. <\/p>\n

His work supported hundreds of annual events and helped establish the campus as a cultural destination for Staten Islanders and visitors alike.<\/p>\n

\u201cLarry wasn\u2019t just someone who worked at Snug Harbor,\u201d Vodoor said. \u201cHe belonged to Snug Harbor. And just as importantly, Snug Harbor belonged to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Vodoor described Anderson as a passionate advocate for both the performing arts and botanical gardens, noting his belief in their ability to connect communities and enrich lives.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe believed in their power \u2014 not just to entertain, but to connect, to challenge, to bring people together, to console, to heal and to inspire,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\"TheScenes from the Neptune Ball held at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden on June 5, 2026.(Steve White for the Advance\/SILive.com)Steve White for the Advance\/SILive.com<\/p>\n

Among his achievements, Anderson played a key role in the development of the Music Hall Annex and championed expanded opportunities for artists throughout Staten Island.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe understood that when we invest in artists, we invest in community,\u201d Vodoor said.<\/p>\n

He was also remembered as a storyteller and historian whose knowledge of Snug Harbor\u2019s past helped connect its history to its present-day mission.<\/p>\n

\u201cLarry\u2019s work mattered. His presence mattered. His life mattered,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd the community he helped build will carry him forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

The award was accepted by Anderson\u2019s husband, Matthew Walby, who joined Vodoor and Anderson\u2019s family members on stage to a standing ovation.<\/p>\n

\"(SteveHonoree Laurie Cumbo, second from right, is flanked by Jessica Vodoor, President and CEO of Snug Harbor, and Councilwoman Kamillah Hanks. Martha Neighbors and Cumbo’s son are also pictured. (Steve White for the Advance\/SILive.com)(Steve White for the Advance\/SILive.com)<\/p>\n

The evening also honored former New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo, who received the Neptune Award for the Arts from Councilwoman Kamillah Hanks.<\/p>\n

Presenting the award, Hanks praised Cumbo\u2019s longstanding commitment to arts and culture.<\/p>\n

\u201cLaurie has always understood that arts and culture are not extras. They are essential,\u201d Hanks said.<\/p>\n

She added that Cumbo\u2019s work has demonstrated how cultural institutions strengthen communities and expand opportunities.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe knows that culture is how communities tell their stories,\u201d Hanks said. \u201cIt is how young people see what is possible. It is how neighborhoods build pride.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"(SteveHonoree Laurie Cumbo, center, is joined by and Councilwoman Kamillah Hanks, at the Neptune Ball held at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden on June 5, 2026. (Steve White for the Advance\/SILive.com)(Steve White for the Advance\/SILive.com)<\/p>\n

Hanks also recognized Cumbo\u2019s advocacy for cultural organizations across New York City and her support of Staten Island\u2019s arts community.<\/p>\n

\u201cLaurie has been a champion for cultural institutions across this city, and she has shown real love and respect for Staten Island\u2019s cultural community,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The Captain Randall Award for Community Service was presented to The Vincent Gruppuso Foundation in recognition of its long-standing philanthropic leadership on Staten Island.<\/p>\n

\"(SteveFamily members of the Vincent Grupposo Foundation, received the Capt.Randall Award for Community Service on June 5, 2026. (Steve White for the Advance\/SILive.com)(Steve White for the Advance\/SILive.com)<\/p>\n

The award was introduced by Snug Harbor board members Brian Laline, executive editor of the Staten Island Advance, and Fred Cerullo III.<\/p>\n

Laline reflected on the Gruppuso family\u2019s business legacy, recalling how Vincent Gruppuso\u2019s entrepreneurial path led to the creation of the Cozy Shack brand. The company eventually grew into a national operation.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got to guess Vincent Gruppuso never envisioned a night like this, or the impact he would have on Staten Island,\u201d Laline said.<\/p>\n

Following his death in 2007, the family established the foundation to continue his legacy through charitable work.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Gruppuso family would not let their dad\u2019s memory fade,\u201d Laline said. \u201cInstead, they wanted him to leave a legacy that would make a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"(SteveFred Cerullo and Brian Laline, Executive Editor of the Staten Island Advance\/SILive.com \u2014 both members of the board of directors of Snug Harbor \u2014\u00a0present an award to the Grappusso family. Scenes from the Neptune Ball held at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden on June 5, 2026. (Steve White for the Advance\/SILive.com)(Steve White for the Advance\/SILive.com)<\/p>\n

Cerullo highlighted the foundation\u2019s broad philanthropic reach, including support for Staten Island University Hospital, local schools, universities and nonprofit organizations throughout the borough.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis award is proudly presented to The Vincent Gruppuso Foundation, and to these wonderful people, not only for what they have given, but for how they give,\u201d Cerullo said. \u201cThey give with purpose, consistency and a deep sense of responsibility to this borough and the people who call it home.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also noted the foundation\u2019s longstanding partnership with Snug Harbor, including early support for agricultural and educational initiatives on campus.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey have been consistent and generous supporters of Snug Harbor for more than a decade,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"(SteveCEO of Advance Local and Publisher of the SI Advance, Caroline Diamond Harrison with her mom, Alice Diamond, at the Neptune Ball on June 5,2026. (Steve White for the Advance\/SILive.com)(Steve White for the Advance\/SILive.com)<\/p>\n

Cerullo added that the foundation\u2019s work reflects a broader commitment to community life.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt reflects a belief that healing and community are not only found in hospitals and schools,\u201d he said, \u201cBut also in the arts, culture and shared public spaces that enrich our lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

MORE BY DR. GRACELYN SANTOS<\/p>\n

Members of the Gruppuso family, including Joanne Caridi, Michael Caridi, Lisa Salvo, Michael Salvo and Diana Boland, accepted the award on stage.<\/p>\n

As the evening concluded, guests moved from the formal elegance of The Great Hall to the lively Neptune Dance Party on the Music Hall Annex Lawn, bringing a celebratory close to a night that honored both Snug Harbor\u2019s past and its future.<\/p>\n

\"TheScenes from the Neptune Ball held at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden on June 5, 2026.(Steve White for the Advance\/SILive.com)Steve White for the Advance\/SILive.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 A night of elegance and celebration marked a milestone for one of Staten Island\u2019s…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":260946,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[9,24,63,134,136,135],"class_list":["post-260945","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-staten-island","tag-new-york","tag-new-york-city","tag-nyc","tag-staten-island","tag-staten-island-headlines","tag-staten-island-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/260945","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=260945"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/260945\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/260946"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=260945"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=260945"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=260945"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}