Danny Glover took over as host of the 100th anniversary gala of the Mount Vernon, N.Y., chapter of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America on Saturday, March 24, 2012, when Denzel Washington came down with a mystery illness hours before the event. Washington, a two-time Oscar winner, was a member of the youth organization while growing up in Mount Vernon.
Seven hundred guests attended the star-studded event, which was held Rye Town Hilton in Rye Brook, N.Y. Tickets were $350 each.
The gala’s Denzel Lifetime Achievement Award honorees included the late John R. Branca, accepted by his son, John G. Branca and the late boxing promoter Butch Lewis, accepted by his daughter, Sita Will. Other honorees included WCBS 2 television meteorologist Elise Finch, Denzel Community Service Award; Kiwanis Club of Mount Vernon, Lifetime Community Spirit Award, accepted by Rosemary Cornacchio; YES Network Yankees announcer and former MLB All-Star Ken Singleton, Denzel Lifetime Achievement Award, Sports; New York State Senator Malcolm A. Smith, Historic Leadership Award was presented by Glover.
“This successful gala will help us serve the children of our community with greater vigor, and will greatly enhance our major fundraising efforts for capital improvements to continue our mission,” said Boys & Girls Club president Danny Sawh and executive director Lowes Moore in a joint statement. “The Boys & Girls Club of Mount Vernon has been a bulwark against delinquency and a recreational outlet for youngsters for a century.” –yvette caslin
