When they’re not sizzling during the summer rush or popping up in popular media such as the Safdie Brothers’ “Good Time” (2017), HBO’s “Succession” (2018), or Pete Davidson’s “Bupkis” (2022), Adventureland gives back to the community that built its star.
Long Island’s most popular amusement park since it opened in Farmingdale in 1962 recently hosted its eighth annual Helping Hands Foundation Friends & Family VIP Night.
Nearly 2,000 guests turned out, raising $400,000 to support Long Islanders. Altogether, the non-profit has raised over $2.1 million since its inception.
“Adventureland’s Helping Hands Foundation is thrilled to be the catalyst for Long Islanders helping Long Islanders — the support we have received through our annual VIP Night event is incredible,” said Helping Hands Foundation Board President Steve Gentile.
The six-figure sum raised will go toward scholarship and grant programs.
Thirteen $5,000 scholarships were awarded through the Vivian and Tony Gentile Scholarship Fund, totaling $65,000 for students attending Long Island colleges this fall.
Said 2025 Employee Scholarship recipient Ella Simone: “I’m truly honored to have been selected for the Vivian and Tony Gentile Employee Scholarship and the opportunity it represents. I also greatly appreciated being a part of VIP Night! It was such a wonderful experience."
Additional scholarship recipients include: Jadyn Hsu (Hofstra), Rabia Chattha (Stony Brook), Emily Ogurick (Molloy), Kalina Beauzile (Adelphi), and Lars Sorensen (Five Towns). Employee recipients include Ella Simone (Molloy), Brianna Gismondi (LIU Post), Jason El-Miniawei (Sophie Davis), Avery Ketcham (SUNY Cortland), and Morganne Taylor (SUNY Old Westbury).
Also honored: Santino Andolini (Adelphi) received the Sachem Dental Group Endowment, Nicholas Derencin (LIU) the Breakthrough T1D Scholarship, and Charlotte Farrugia (Stony Brook) the Island Harvest Scholarship.
“We are so grateful and thank you for the opportunity to serve Long Island, and honored to have such extraordinary support from our donors and sponsors,” Gentile added.