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Photo Coverage: The Friars Foundation Applause Awards

The Friars National Association Foundation was formed in 1977. It was founded by Buddy Howe who was then the Dean of the Friars Club. The Friars foundation is a publicly-supported foundation, whose function is to review and evaluate grant requests and to award grants in the name of the Friars. The Foundation is the conduit through which the Friars accomplish one of its major goals: The betterment of our society, particularly in the area of the perfoirming arts. To achieve this objective, 75% of its grants are made for students' scholarship in the Performing Arts and to small Performing Arts groups. The remaining 25% of its grants are made to organizations helping the less fortunate.

The Friars Foundation is an important contributor to the Performing Arts. Academia recognizes the Friars Foundation as an upfront organization due to their activist scholarship programs. Nine universities with solid performing arts departments have granted scholarships to qualified students. Over the past decade the Friars Foundation has been responsible for 360 Performing Arts scholarships. Many of these students are now employed on Broadway, Hollywood and wherever stages are being prepared for performances.

Last night, the Friars Foundation held their annual Applause Awards gala. View photos from the event below!

Connie Francis attending the 2011 Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala in New York City.

Jack Benny & Connie Francis attending the 2011 Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala in New York City.

Leonard A. Wilf attending the 2011 Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala in New York City.

Connie Francis attending the 2011 Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala in New York City.

'Baby it's You' Cast (LtoR) Kyra Da Costa, Crystal Starr, Geno Henderson, Erica Ash and Christina Sajous attending the 2011 Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala in New York City.

Jay Black attending the 2011 Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala in New York City.

Pat Cooper attending the 2011 Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala in New York City.

Tony Orlando attending the 2011 Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala in New York City.

Tony Orlando & Stewie Stone attending the 2011 Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala in New York City.

Tony Orlando & Nicole Henry attending the 2011 Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala in New York City.

Nicole Henry attending the 2011 Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala in New York City.

Connie Francis attending the 2011 Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala in New York City.

Abe Vigoda attending the 2011 Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala in New York City.

Dominic Chianese attending the 2011 Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala in New York City.

Dominic Chianese and Abe Vigoda attending the 2011 Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala in New York City.

Bill Boggs & Abe Vigoda attending the 2011 Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala in New York City.

Tony Orlando & Judy Tannen attending the 2011 Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala in New York City.

Tony Orlando & Abe Vigoda attending the 2011 Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala in New York City.

Tony Orlando with Liba Sedaka & Neil Sedaka attending the 2011 Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala in New York City.

Tony Orlando & Neil Sedaka attending the 2011 Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala in New York City.

Connie Francis attending the 2011 Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala in New York City.

Leonard A. Wilf attending the 2011 Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala in New York City.

Connie Francis attending the 2011 Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala in New York City.

Connie Francis & Leonard A. Wilf attending the 2011 Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala in New York City.

Leonard A. Wilf attending the 2011 Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala in New York City.

Connie Francis & Neil Sedaka attending the 2011 Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala in New York City.

Connie Francis, Freddie Roman & Neil Sedaka attending the 2011 Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala in New York City.

Connie Francis & Neil Sedaka attending the 2011 Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala in New York City.

Connie Francis & Pat Cooper attending the 2011 Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala in New York City.

Connie Francis & Abe Vigoda attending the 2011 Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala in New York City.

Bill Boggs, Connie Francis & Abe Vigoda attending the 2011 Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala in New York City.

Connie Francis & Leonard A. Wilf attending the 2011 Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala in New York City.

Connie Francis attending the 2011 Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala in New York City.

Leonard A. Wilf attending the 2011 Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala in New York City.

Connie Francis attending the 2011 Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala in New York City.

Connie Francis & Leonard A. Wilf attending the 2011 Friars Foundation Applause Award Gala in New York City.

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As a 14 year old youth, Walter was transfixed by his first Broadway Show, the original production of 'GREASE'. His Journey to celebrity photojournalism began that fateful night. Meeting, photographing and getting to know the cast inspired him to spend his professional life doing what he loved. Walter moved to Manhattan and for a leading role as a Photographer & Photo Researcher. Currently headlining in New Jersey with his partner Richard and family members Dali (Jack Russell) & Gala (Schnoodle). Recently he made his Broadway debut sharing the stage with Hugh Jackman in 'Hugh Jackman on Broadway' as well as receiving the Actors' Equity Association Gypsy Spirit Award. Walter McBride Photography is syndicated worldwide by Corbis/AP.

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