The Women’s Club of Flower Hill, spanning Manhasset, Port Washington, and Roslyn, organized a charity concert on Saturday in support of Mark Van Schenkhof, a chorus teacher at Manhasset Public School who is battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, known as ALS.
The WCoFH, aimed at promoting civic, social, and cultural interests while raising funds for charitable purposes, drew both club members and the wider community to the concert.
“Selecting a musical event seemed like the best way to support Mr. V, who was a big part of the Manhasset and Port Washington Community,” said Antonietta Manzi, president of WCoFH, “The rain couldn’t stop us, it was a concert for a great cause. Some of his past students and their parents showed up to the charity concert to support.”
Van Schenkhof began his teaching career in the district in 1999 and two years later taught at the high school, leaving a significant impact on the students he mentored, the WCoFH said.
“Before retiring in 2019, Mark Van Schenkhof was a dedicated music teacher at Manhasset High School for 20 years,” said Manhasset School District superintendent Gaurav Passi, “He was a shining light in our music department and touched the lives of many students. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Van Schenkhof and his family as he continues to battle this horrible disease.”
In addition to being a teacher, he was also the organist and choir director for Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Port Washington.
ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease, has taken a toll on Van Schenkhof’s physical and financial health, rendering him partially paralyzed and reliant on a wheelchair for mobility. He has been battling this condition for the past seven years.
He is officially entering hospice care to ensure that he has the 24/7 care and that all of his symptoms can be managed appropriately, his GoFundMe page says.
The charity concert was a community-wide event, with the County Line Band delivering a live music performance, offering attendees an evening of entertainment. A Souvlaki Food Truck was available on-site.
County Line Band, a dance-centric live Country Music group from Long Island, entertained the crowd with songs covering Modern Country, Crossover Country, and Southern Rock. The event was organized to provide support for Van Schenkhof and contribute to his ongoing battle with ALS.
For those who were unable to attend the charity concert but still wish to support Van Schenkhof, the GoFundMe page can be found online at https://www.gofundme.com/f/mark-van-schenkhof. So far, $72,853 has been raised of their $70,000 goal.
