Boys' & Girls' Towns of Italy NY Spring Ball at Doubles

On March 8th, Boys' & Girls' Towns of Italy (BGTI) hosted a kick-off reception at The Doubles Club for their annual New York Spring Ball. Prominent members of New York and Italian society gathered to celebrate their 71 years of providing a chance in life to refugee, migrant, and at-risk youth in Italy and more recently in Ethiopia.

BGTI's President and Executive Director Mr. Gabriele Delmonaco joined Gala Chair Contessina Francesca Braschi and dinner co-chairs Sharon Marantz-Walsh and Bernadette Milito to welcome guests and honorees. The gala's six honorees include Charles S. Gucciardo, Esq., a personal injury trial attorney who will receive the Man of the Year Award; Karen King, a singer and businesswoman who will receive the Woman of the Year Award; Mercedes Ellington who will be recognized as Celebrity of the Year along with actor Vincent Pastore. Dr. Maurizio Forte, the Director of the Italian Trade Commission in New York and Executive Director for the ICE USA offices, will receive the Global Citizen Award; while John Salvato, President and CEO of Talent Spectrum will receive the Humanitarian Award. Jan Chipman and Ray Gucciardo will both receive Honor and Merit Awards,

During the event, Francesca and Gabriele thanked each honoree for their support and commitment. The honorees in turn thanked BGTI for thinking of the underserved and said how proud they are to help. Mercedes Ellington made a heartfelt speech about her family who had lived "on the edge, but when my father may have complained about food, my grandfather would respond, 'what's the matter - you ate yesterday.'" She told this story to "illustrate the nature of privilege and comfort and how when you have both, you can easily assume everyone has enough to have a normal life, but BGTI makes it so that we don't forget about people that don't have enough food or shelter."

Gabriele then welcomed BGTI Chairman Dr. Mauro Romita who said "because of the support of all attendees, there were more children in Italy and Ethiopia who would have a hot meal this evening."

The gala, themed "Building on Solid Foundations," will be held on April 5th at The Pierre Hotel. Boys' & Girls' Towns of Italy was founded by Monsignor John Patrick Carroll-Abbing in 1945 to help thousands of war-orphaned children struggling in Italy at the end of World War II. Seven decades later, BGTI's unique approach of self-government has given a chance in life to more than 30,000 young people, from more than 20 countries. While continuing the innovative work in Italy, in September 2015 BGTI founded Boys' and Girls' Towns of Ethiopia to support 400 children, primarily girls, in one of the poorest countries of the world.

ABOUT:

The Boys' & Girls' Towns of Italy was founded by Monsignor Patrick Carroll-Abbing in 1945 to help thousands of war-orphaned children struggling in Italy at the end of World War II. Seven decades later, BGTI's unique approach of self-government has given a chance in life to more than 30,000 young people, reaching over 20 countries. Their latest work includes the formation of the Boys' and Girls' Towns of Ethiopia, supporting 400 children, primarily girls, to overcome civil unrest and extreme poverty.

To purchase tickets for the New York Spring Ball on April 5th, please visit http://bgti.org/the-annual-spring-ball/. For more information about BGTI, please visit http://www.bgti.org.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of BGTI