Ann Liguori Emcees 5th Annual IGHL Luncheon and Fashion Fling

Sports broadcaster and Westhampton resident Ann Liguori emceed the 5th Annual IGHL (Independent Group Home Living) Luncheon & Fashion Fling at Westhampton Country Club on Sunday, October 20. The sold-out luncheon featured a full sit-down meal, music by the GL&MS Quartet and a fashion show hosted by fashion commentator Karen Loeffler, with a variety of styles, courtesy of Renee’s (10095 Main Road) in Mattituck.

“IGHL is quite an impressive organization,” Liguori said, adding, “The more time one spends with IGHL, which provides services for the developmentally-disabled, the more one learns about all the wonderful outreach they do in the community.”

She went on to list the organization’s many contributions to the East End, noting that IGHL runs Flower Barn, a nursery and garden center that employs 30 developmentally-disabled workers; IGHL manages the TWA Flight 800 Memorial which is located at Smith Point; they run the IGHL Bed & Breakfast in Center Moriches and the IGHL Artist Exhibition Center in Hampton Bays, which features art work created by developmentally-disabled artists, along with running over 50 homes on Long Island which provide services and care for the developmentally-disabled.

Liguori was joined by IGHL Compliance Officer Frank Lombardi as co-emcee, while IGHL CEO Walter Stockton welcomed everyone and talked about the many IGHL initiatives. The organization’s lunch and fashion show founders Dori Geier and Mary Beth Lichtneger, who is IGHL’s CFO and Senior Director of Human Resources, were also on hand to thank the afternoon’s sponsors, including  Willis, The Ann Liguori Foundation, Mutual of America, Omnicare, Aetna, BWD Group, Optimal Nutrition & Wellness and 1-800-Flowers, which donated the gorgeous centerpieces.

Bob Policastro of Angela’s House talked about the exciting opening of the third Angela’s House (angelashouse.org), which coordinates complex home-care services and residential home services for medically-fragile children.

More than 100 baskets of goodies, jewelry and a variety of products were up for grabs in a benefit raffle.

“The wonderful people who work at IGHL continue to impress me with their dedication, compassion and devotion to making IGHL the amazing organization that it is!” Liguori said, reflecting on this year’s luncheon.

IGHL (ighl.org) is dedicated to helping developmentally disabled people and their families with the daily challenges of life and residency.

Liguori’s Sports Innerview with Ann Liguori airs every Saturday from 9–10 a.m. on WPPB FM, peconicpublicbroadcasting.org.

*All photos by Pam Deutchman / www.society-in-focus.com