The Geneva community will come together on Saturday, Nov. 1 to celebrate and support its first responders at the Third Annual “Shields of Honor” Gala, hosted by The Second Impact Foundation at Ventosa Vineyards.
The event will raise funds for the Geneva Police and Fire Departments while recognizing the extraordinary contributions of two local legends — the late Fire Chief Carlton Naegele and retired Police Chief Frank Pane Jr.
Cocktails begin at 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 7, followed by live music from Night Train and a spirited live auction led by Carrie Hessney-Doran. Among the auction items are a Winchester 1894 NRA commemorative rifle, a helmet signed by Hall of Famer John Elway, and a Henry 9mm rifle.
The gala will feature two new annual awards named for Naegele and Pane. This year, Chief Pane will receive his namesake honor in person. Retired firefighter Bernard “Bernie” Naegele will accept the award for his late father, whose decades of service helped modernize and shape the Geneva Fire Department into what it is today.
“The fire and police departments are the backbone of our community,” said Ray Ciancaglini, founder of The Second Impact. “This gala is our chance to say thank you, to celebrate their courage and to show them how much this community cares.”
Special guest speakers include orthopedic surgeon Dr. Daniel Alexander and Ontario County Judge Kristina “Kitty” Karle — a former special victims prosecutor who made history in 2018 as the first female County Court Judge in Ontario County. If elected this fall, she will become the first female State Supreme Court Justice from the outlying counties of New York’s 7th Judicial District.
Tickets are $100 and available through local contacts:
- Rob Patnesky – 315-521-7516
- Patti Ciancaglini – 315-521-8926
- Paul D’Amico – 585-820-8243
- Erika Van Savage – 315-945-7594
Last year’s gala raised $40,000 for Geneva first responders. Proceeds from this year’s event will continue to support their essential work.
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