James Callahan

The New York City District Council of Carpenters Benefit Funds helped raise almost $1.2 million at a March 25 virtual gala benefit for Saint Dominic’s Family Services, attended by about 1,000 city business and labor leaders. Construction industry speakers included, pictured from left, Robert Lapidus, president and chief investment officer of L&L Holdings; James T. Callahan, general president of the International Union of Operating Engineers; and Dave Mebeerg, president and CEO of Consolidated Carpet and board chairman of Friends of Saint Dominic’s. Other participants included event host Lara Spencer, pictured at far right, a co-host of TV show “Good Morning America”; Cardinal Timothy Dolan; and country singer Caroline Jones.

Dave Meberg

Saint Dominic's Family Services offers programs including foster care and prevention services for families, a home for adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities, community-based mental health support for children and adults, education in a therapeutic kindergarten through 12th-grade school and preschool services.

The carpenters’ union Benefit Funds supports more than 25,000 working and retired union members and their families, offering health, vacation and scholarship benefits; a defined monthly pension at retirement; a defined contribution benefit; and apprenticeship and journey-level training.

Lara Spencer

“I am so proud of how our industry came together to support this cause in such a big way, despite the challenges of fundraising in a virtual environment,” Eugene P. White, executive vice president of Structure Tone and dinner chairman of the Friends of Saint Dominic’s, said after the online event.

This year was the benefit’s 40th anniversary. The annual event has raised more than $26 million for Saint Dominic’s.