Garden City has a long standing tradition of volunteerism and philanthropy, as residents work together to benefit those in need. From the countless groups who work to keep the many schools in the Village operating at their best and providing the finest programs and opportunities for the young people of the Village to the many hospital leagues, cancer societies and friends of organizations to benefit children, Garden City residents can almost always be found working for others in their spare time. The Nassau Association for the Help of Retarded Children is one of many organiztions that is aided by the endeavors of residents of Garden City and on Tuesday, Dec. 7, all are invited to join their fellow neighbors in a luncheon to benefit the AHRC.

The vice president of the Board of Directors of the Nassau AHRC is Garden City resident Gary Bencivenga, who with his wife Pauline recently hosted a cocktail party for over 100 friends and neighbors in their home in the Village. The party was in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Nassau AHRC. Now, Pauline Bencivenga is working with fellow residents Katie Zarembo, Anne Sullivan, and Leigh Fanuzzi to co-chair the Annual Christmas Gala Luncheon. They have been coordinating the lunch and the annual fashion show which follows the meal under the advisement of Virginia Golden.

The event will begin at 11 a.m. on Dec. 7 with cocktails and a special boutique shopping experience arranged in the Terrace Room of the Garden City Hotel (on Seventh Street across from the Garden City Public Library). Guests will then move to the Grand Ballroom for a feast and fashion show. Professional models have been engaged to show couture and casual looks from Barney's New York, Bridal Reflections, Max Mara, St. John and Zooport.

Garden City merchants have also demonstrated their generosity in the planning of this event by helping to provide the grand prize for the raffle. Travel Gallery of Garden City has worked with the prize committee of the luncheon, as well as United Airlines and Classic Custom Vacations, to provide a complimentary trip to Honolulu, Hawaii. Included in the prize are two round trip coach tickets and a three night stay in a Hawaiian hotel. Prize Committee Coordinator Terry Corroon has also assembled a selection of other gifts and all raffle chances are being sold at $5 each or three chances for $10.

Reservations can be made by calling co-Chair Anne Sullivan at 248-1506. Reservations are required and are made with a check for $65 payable to Garden City AHRC. Individual and group reservations are welcome. For those unable to attend, but wishing to make a donation, calls for more information can be directed to Sullivan at the above number.