Tom O'Neill is Appointed President of GiGi’s Playhouse Rochester Annual Gala Raises Record $211,000 to Support Free Programming for People with Down Syndrome
Save the Date! Dream Big Motor Show Fundraiser Sunday, June 4
Rochester, NY—Mar. 30, 2022—GiGi's Playhouse Rochester’s "Red Carpet Affair Take Two!" 6th annual Gala raised a record $211,000 to support free programming for people with Down syndrome in the Rochester region. The Gala was held Saturday, March 25 at the Hyatt Regency Rochester with 270 people in attendance. GiGi’s Playhouse Rochester is a non-profit organization that serves people with Down syndrome from prenatal diagnosis to adulthood focusing on achievement, belief and confidence.
Jennifer Bustamante, immediate past-president and current board of directors member, announced at the Gala the appointment of Tom O'Neill as President, effective January 2023. O’Neill will lead GiGi's Playhouse Rochester into a new era of empowering people with Down syndrome in Rochester.
O'Neill is president and CEO of Cognivue, Inc. a world-class neuroscience company based in Victor, NY. Cognivue focuses on cognitive health and has developed the world’s first FDA-cleared computerized test of cognitive function.
"I consider it one of the greatest honors of my life to have served as president for the last eight years from the very beginning stages of GiGi's Playhouse Rochester opening," Bustamante said. "When I stepped into the role of president in 2015, the work had just begun to fulfill a much-needed void and bring GiGi's to our community. I'm so proud of our Playhouse and all that our group of dedicated volunteers, staff, participants, families, and generous donors has accomplished together in support of our life-changing mission to empower individuals with Down syndrome and their families and honoring our core value that cost will not be a barrier to achievement."
"We are extremely grateful for the overwhelming success of our 6th annual Gala. We're exceptionally proud of the generous support from the Rochester community for GiGi's Playhouse's important mission. The Gala exceeded our fundraising goal, raising $211,000. We are so appreciative to our volunteers, staff, board of directors, corporate sponsors, vendor partners, and personal friends for their incredible commitment to the event and our mission. We look forward to putting these funds to use in order to assist in educating and inspiring people with Down in our area," said O'Neill, GiGi's Playhouse Rochester President.
2023 Gala sponsors included: In Honor of Erin Stapleton and Charlie Horner; Merrill Lynch, Steve Szczublewski Group; Lisa's Liquor Barn; Bergeron Companies; The Oehlbeck Family; Person Centered Services; RDG + Partners CPAs; Greece Dermatological Associates; Lisa and Kenper Miller in Honor of Madison and Kelly Kaltenbach; Tim's Trim, Inc.; GRB (Genesee Regional Bank).
About Tom O'Neill
Tom O'Neill was born and raised outside of Cleveland, OH now resides in Webster, NY. O'Neill has worked for over 30 years in the healthcare field with companies like Johnson & Johnson, Bausch & Lomb and Hologic. He is now the President and CEO of Cognivue Inc., a local neurology solutions provider. O'Neill and his wife Kathy have two boys, Sean 25, and Tommy 21. O'Neill has been an active supporter of Gigi's Playhouse Rochester since the very beginning and a member of the board of directors since 2019.
Dream Big Motor Show Sunday, June 4, 2023
The Dream Big Motor Show, GiGi's second biggest fundraiser for the year, is the largest exotic car, boat and motorcycle show in Monroe County. It will take place on Sunday, June 4 at 2937 Monroe Ave in the Monroe Clover Plaza. More details about car entries and sponsor opportunities are to be announced soon.
For more information visit gigisplayhouse.org/rochester/ or email rochester@gigisplayhouse.org.
###