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Bideawee celebrated the selfless
contributions of four deserving
heroes that have significantly impacted
the vulnerable animals it serves tonight
at the 25th Anniversary of its Gala.
Playful pups and the people who
love them gathered for the 2025 Bideawee
Ball Hearts of Heroes where funds were
raised to rescue, treat and place
homeless dogs and cats in permanent,
loving homes. At 122 years old, Bideawee
is one of the mcountry’s oldest
animal welfare and pet adoption
organizations with locations in
Manhattan and Long Island. The
fundraising gala – open to well-behaved
dogs and their doting human parents –
took place at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in
Manhattan.
Bideawee celebrated this special silver
anniversary gala by honoring four
individuals with hearts of gold.
Honorees included:
Jerome Harkins
Jerome, Construction Superintendent
of JEF Construction, was honored for the
generous and fast-paced response the
construction team had to a complex
incident last summer in which two young
kittens living on the streets had fallen
through a small hole in a window well,
plummeting several feet down with no way
out. When Bideawee was asked to help, it
enlisted the assistance of JEF, which it
had used for its recent flagship
remodel. The JEF team sprang into action
– probono – to jackhammer through the
concrete and cut through the metal
structures. With the assistance of
Bideawee’s Feral Cat Initiative team,
one of the kittens was able to be saved
and today is living in his forever home.
Teddy Henn
As Founder of Long Island Lost Dog
Search and Rescue, Teddy’s knowledge as
an expert trapper has been invaluable to
Bideawee, particularly in finding and
safely rescuing lost dogs, including two
very special cases this past year—Babygirl
(lost for 8 days) and Peppermint (lost
for 6 days) — who were both found safely
thanks to his tireless work. He has
built a trusted network and a vital
resource for pet owners in crisis,
offering expertise and support when it
matters most and at no cost. His
selfless commitment to animal welfare,
combined with his deep compassion and
dedication, makes him a true hero in the
eyes of the countless families whose
pets he has helped bring home.
Zen Micheline Hung
A compassionate and creative teenage
volunteer who brings a unique touch to
Bideawee’s adoption center by playing
the piano for the pets, something never
done before at Bideawee, Zen helps them
relax and feel more at ease. She also
spreads awareness about the importance
of volunteering and encouraging others
to get involved in the community.
Rod Thomas
A dedicated volunteer at Bideawee’s
adoption center and Bideawee adopter,
Rod wrote a song about his late beloved
cat, Sunny, and donated a portion of the
song’s sales to Bideawee. His music as
DJ BrightLight BrightLight has brought
energy and joy to Bideawee’s events. A
true friend to Bideawee, Rod always
supports its mission and helps Bideawee
spread the word through his social media
and music. He is also a new cat dad to
Quince, who he adopted from Bideawee.
To mark the 25th Anniversary of the
Bideawee Ball and in an effort to allow
more people the ability to make a
significant contribution to its
vulnerable animals, Bideawee -- this
year – significantly reduced ticket
prices to its annual gala. Guests were
encouraged to come and party with a
purpose at this highly anticipated
event. While table and ticket prices
varied, a special discounted $250.00
ticket included a beautiful sit-down
dinner, an open bar, music and dancing,
dogs in cocktail attire, and an
unforgettable evening supporting dogs
and cats in need. For the cost of dinner
and a show in NYC, guests could enjoy a
one-of-a-kind experience and be a part
of something truly meaningful.
Leslie Granger, CAWA, President and CEO
of Bideawee, noted, “As we celebrate the
25th anniversary of our gala, it is
fitting that our honorees truly embody
the spirit of the work we do at Bideawee.
These individuals have gone above and
beyond to ensure the well-being of the
animals we serve and those within the
community. Jerome, Teddy, Zen, and Rod –
on behalf of the animals whose lives
you’ve improved – and even saved – we
thank you. I encourage everyone in our
community to consider what talents you
can bring to the table to help our sweet
and vulnerable four-legged friends. What
may seem to you like something small can
make an immeasurable impact on the lives
of animals in need.”
The Ball offered a treat bar, sponsored
by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, complete with
special Hill‘s treats, exclusively for
our four-legged guests.
For the humans on hand, the evening
offered a cocktail hour, seated dinner,
live donation appeal, and a live
auction.
Dress code for the more than 300 hundred
people and 100 pups was black-tie
optional.
The Signature Sponsor was H/3
Foundation; the Treat Bar Sponsor was
Hill’s Pet Nutrition; the Canine Lounge
Sponsor was Data Axle; and the Beverage
Sponsor was Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
About Bideawee
Bideawee, which means “stay awhile,” in
Scottish, is one of the country’s oldest
animal welfare and pet adoption
organizations. Founded in 1903,
Bideawee’s mission is to create and
strengthen the human-animal bond through
best-in-class lifesaving and
compassionate care for pets and the
people who love them. Bideawee provides
an array of high touch services
including adoption centers, animal
hospital, pet therapy programs, and pet
memorial parks that serve pets and pet
lovers on their lifelong journey
together. Bideawee is a not-for-profit
501(c) 3 humane animal organization and
100% of Bideawee’s funding comes from
private sources. Bideawee operates in
New York City, Wantagh, and Westhampton.
For more information, visit:
www.Bideawee.org |