2025 ThanksGathering: A Legacy Celebration
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GET YOUR TICKETS FOR THANKSGATHERING: A LEGACY CELEBRATION
Equinox and Whitney Young Health are thrilled to announce our annual, combined signature fundraising event.
As our affiliation continues, we celebrate the third year of this collaborative event, ThanksGathering: A Legacy Celebration, Building a Lasting Legacy Together. Coming together with one event expresses the strength of the affiliation of these two lead providers in health care and human services, providing confidence that this mutual endeavor will afford better access to integrated services with healthier outcomes for our patients and clients, while preserving each organization’s history and legacy of service.
Our celebration will be held on Thursday, October 9, 2025, from 5:30-8:30 pm at the New York State Museum in Albany, NY. This venue is the perfect backdrop for live music, delicious food, and libations courtesy of 2Shea Catering. The festive evening will feature our Legacy Awards presentation honoring leaders who are making a difference in the Capital Region. The evening will be topped off with our silent auction; complimentary wine, spirits, and craft beer tastings; and chances to win at our gift-card pull.
Proceeds from the event will be shared between Equinox and Whitney Young Health to help our patients and clients, who have limited resources and are at higher risk of co-morbidities, homelessness, and food insecurities, lead healthier, more productive lives.
This year's honorees
Each year we recognize the contributions of those who are vital to our mission. We are thrilled to announce this year’s recipients of our Legacy Awards:
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In recognition of her commitment to advancing health equity in our community, Dr. Dorcey L. Applyrs, will receive our Health Equity Champion Award. Dr. Applyrs, or Dorcey as she is known, has served as Albany’s Chief City Auditor since 2020. As David Shippee, CEO of Whitney Young Health says, “With a master’s degree and doctorate in public health from the University at Albany School of Public Health, she remains actively involved with her alma mater. Dorcey serves as Clinical Associate Professor in the Health Policy, Management, and Behavior Department. She also served as the Subject Matter Expert for the School’s Center for Public Health Continuing Education and sits on the Albany County Board of Public Health. Dorecy understands the social determinants of health and the cost of inequities. We are proud to present Dorcey Applyrs with our Health Equity Champion Award at this year’s ThanksGathering event.” |
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In recognition of their partnership with Equinox and Whitney Young in providing support to the populations we serve, The Legal Project will receive our Community Partner Award. “The Legal Project is more vital than ever. At Equinox we know how valuable the pro bono services are to survivors of domestic violence” said Linda MacFarlane, CEO of Equinox. “In addition, their Affordable Housing Attorney Assistance is a lifeline for low-income home buyers. We are proud to honor The Legal Project and grateful that Executive Director Monice Barbero will accept the Community Partnership Award at this year’s ThanksGathering event.”
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Sponsors 2025
Legacy Sponsor
Celebration Sponsor
Kelli Arnold and Gene Basle
Will Backes and Tracie Sandell, Esq.
Gus and Susan Birkhead
Susan Lambeth Blabey
Marc Brandt
Robert Cawley and Laurie Zabele Cawley
Linda and Vince Colonno
Robert and Lisa Coyle
Dr. James Crucetti
Lorraine and John D’Aleo
Angela Doe
Jeff and Mary Durgee
Jason and Kathy Fernau
Kathryn Fletcher
Jean M. Fogarty
John E. Fraher
Janet E. Gargiulo
William T. Gettman, Jr. and Dr. Eileen Brownell
Edward Giordano
M. Sherry Gold
Virginia and Kenneth Golden
MaryBeth and Howard Goldstein
Beverly Grossman
Carol A. Hausamann
Tracey Henry
Liz Hitt
Sue Hollander
Dr. Annette M. Johnson
Sharon Lovelady-Hall
Linda MacFarlane
Dennis and Jean McDonald
Hon. John McDonald III, RPh
Kindra and Tom McHale
Shalonda Melton
David and Allison Meyers
MaryKate Owens
Laura and Avery Powell
Regan Development Corp.
Christine Rodriguez
Lauri Rosmarin-Plattner and Robert D. Plattner
Todd Scheuermann and Karen Hunter
Dr. Arif Shahabuddin
Hon. Darius Shahinfar and Noelle Kinsch
David Shippee and Ann Volpel
Fred Silhanek
Frank M. Slingerland
Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Sneeringer
Katie Stair
I. David Swawite, Omni Development Co., Inc.
Kathleen M. Tanner
Ellen Tarbay
Congressman Paul D. Tonko
F. Michael Tucker & Lynette Tucker
Leslie and John VanArnam
Dr. Deborah Vasquez and Dr. Nathan Gruber
Kristine and George Wilhelm
Dayle Zatlin and Joel Blumenthal