Mark Bezos Presented with Open Door Award at Gourmet Galaxy

The Gourmet Galaxy at Westchester Country Club on May 1 was perhaps the largest galaxy in recent memory. In fact, there were so many guests that additional dining tables had to be set up in another room to accommodate everyone. This year's honoree, Mark Bezos, drew a crowd including family, well wishers and fellow volunteer firefighters. Bezos' brother Jeff of Amazon fame was also on hand to toast Mark who is now a Senior VP at the Robin Hood Foundation. After cocktails, an impressive silent auction and live auction Steven Goldman, President of Scarsdale & Edgemont Family Counseling welcomed the crowd, saying "You make the world a better place to live ... You guys rock!"

He introduced Bezos and presented him with the Open Door Award. He greeted the Scarsdale Volunteer Fire Company 2 that Mark captains and said, "if there's a fire here we are all in good shape ... but if there's a fire elsewhere, we're in trouble."

Mark credited his wife Lisa with her tenacity in bringing him to live in Scarsdale and for getting him involved with the firefighters. He told the group that after he sold his ad agency he was contemplating his next step and considered staying home for a year. Then an opportunity arose at the Robin Hood Foundation. Trying to decide whether or not to take the position he asked Lisa what she thought and she said, "Mark, I married you for better or for worse, but not for lunch!"

In his remarks he thanked the wide network of community volunteers including coaches, members of the Junior League, SVAC members, PTA members, and told them that they "receive the reward of making a difference, large or small." He lauded SFCS for their peer leadership program in the schools, for their parenting groups and work with community seniors.

He closed by saying, "thank you for inspiring me to do more."

Commenting on the evening, SFCS Board Member Angela Manson said, ""The Gourmet Galaxy was a huge success and we sold a record 350 tickets to a capacity crowd. Mark Bezos embodies the spirit of "The Open Door Award" with his acts of helping people in need, both as Captain of Scarsdale Volunteer Fire Company 2 and as SVP at The Robin Hood Foundation. Mark's captivating speech about the importance of volunteerism was extremely well received by audience members from school and village service organizations, Scarsdale volunteer fire companies, Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and the Junior League of Central Westchester. I'm thrilled he accepted my invitation to become the SFCS honoree!"

Take a look at our photo gallery of galaxy guests:

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