Elizabeth Forbes founded the Gift of Giving Foundation, an organization that serves as a resource and advocate for underserved communities. In addition to earning a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare, she has earned her certification as a State Compliance Officer through the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS). She is now applying her diverse leadership experiences to lead her nonprofit organization in Nassau County and the Boroughs of Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Bronx, and Staten Island.

Among the Gift of Giving Foundation’s responsibilities is to advocate for the common good of the entire sector – and especially for the health and well-being of under-served communities.

Having served over 250 children in the last three years, Elizabeth intends to give as much back as possible to those that can benefit from scholarships, community service, and holiday cheer.

Jeffrey Forbes is a seasoned licensed financial professional for a Fortune 500 company with over 10 years of experience. He has a passion for civic engagement and volunteerism. He’s also held several leadership positions for non-profit organizations including President of the Urban League of Long Island Young Professionals.

Margaret Colclough has been happily retired for the past 8 years. This has afforded her the opportunity to do community service on a larger scale. Her hobbies include bowling, sewing, and crocheting. She’s completed several lap throws which she donated to nursing homes.

She has a degree in Therapeutic Recreation.

Margaret has been involved in several community organizations. She was part of their scholarship committee, career day, and provided tutoring to elementary and middle school students. Her greatest pleasure was when a student approached her in a store and said “I passed my math class, thank you”.

Annette Brown is a powerhouse in the field of being there when it is needed most. She currently serves as a visionary and Senior Executive at Urban Artistic Records and Films. Her event planning, producing, and film directing range from non-profit community functions to celebrity music videos. She is board governance to several non-profit organizations one being Program Officer of the Gift of Giving Foundation.

Annette has been awarded many prestigious awards for her commitment to community leadership. She is committed to serving the community and has worked tirelessly as a national volunteer for Red Cross Disaster Relief, Boys Scouts of America, 4-H Club, Lions Club, Students Real Friends, and All Things Work. Performing community service internationally and across the states of America. As well as serving and honoring our soldiers at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5298 and the American Legion Post 483.

Thriving on a quotation said by her mother “Your life is worth nothing if you have not given to others”, Annette will continue to serve the community, guide our youth, and honor our soldiers.

Simone Luke-Forbes is a 16-year veteran teacher and entrepreneur who lives by the verse, “to whom much is given, much is required”. A wife and mother of three, Simone spends her leisure time with her family, and enjoys the arts and traveling. Simone wears many hats; an entrepreneur who dabbles as an event coordinator, party planner, and an acting coach. Simone serves as the Gift of Giving Foundation Scholarship Committee Chair and looks forward to helping as many students as she can reach their dreams.

Victoria Robinson is a recent graduate from the University of New Haven with a bachelor’s in Forensic Science and a Biology minor. She grew up in a household with a single mother working three jobs to provide me with an education. Attending school became a passion for her, and that is because she had ambition and a dream to be a scientist. Even being homeless in the past and struggling with mental illness, Victoria never gave up on her goals and pushed through schools where she was the minority. However, she must acknowledge the village of family and friends who supported her ambition and motivated her to continue. She received a scholarship to help pay for school and am graduating with two job offers before receiving her diploma. Victoria’s wish is for young adults who don’t have a village and have persevered through hardships to reach their goals. She firmly believes that people need to work together to make a difference instead of operating on selfish motives that cause division. She is glad to be a part of the Gift of Giving Foundation because helping even one person succeed is a step towards making equality in opportunities persist.

Glenn Watson Jr. will be attending SUNY college in the winter of 2022 studying sports management. His passion for football and desire to guide young athletes pushed him to want more. For the past three years, Glenn has been a noteworthy activist in the community of Elmont under the non-profit organization the Gift of Giving Foundation.

Clarence Duncan is a junior at Connecticut College majoring in Environmental Science with a minor in Computer Science and an Entrepreneurship focus. He loves to help people, so through allying his own company with positive organizations he channels his strengths toward benefiting individuals and communities.

Daniel Forbes Jr. is third-year acting for film major attending Pace University. He has a passion for the arts and spreading his love of the arts to the people around him. Daniel loves watching basketball and spending time with his family, and currently serves as a committee member for the Gift of Giving Foundation.