Saponara and Buhl are 2 Legends

Village Care of New York recently held its 11th annual Legends of the Village celebration, raising more than $100,000 for the nonprofit organization’s long-term care programs. More than 250 supporters gathered for an evening of dinner and dancing at the Prince George Ballroom on E. 27th St. on Nov. 2. Henry Buhl, founder of the Association of Community Employment Programs for the Homeless, received Village Care’s Lenore Zola Award for Community Service. Frank Saponara, president of Gaetana’s Cucina Italiana in the West Village, received the Village Business Legend Award. Saponara’s restaurant opens its doors to provide holiday meals to participants of Village Care’s programs. Village Care — which operates the Village Nursing Home at 12th and Hudson Sts. — serves more than 10,000 people annually in community and residential programs for older adults and for persons living with H.I.V./AIDS.