Over 400 Attended Gala That Raised $800,000
From left, BGCNW CEO Alyzza Ozer, Youth of the Year Award Winner Grace Gerosa, Honoree Dan Hollis, County Legislator Erika Pierce and Honoree Muffin Dowdle
It was Hats Off to 85 Years as more than 400 friends and supporters of the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester (BGCNW) were on hand June 7 for the 29th Annual Humanitarian Award Gala. The theme of the event — Hats Off to 85 Years –celebrated the Club’s 85th anniversary this year. The gala, which was held at the Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase, raised approximately $800,000.
The honorees are two long-time supporters of BGCNW – Muffin Dowdle and Dan Hollis. Muffin Dowdle has been a lifelong member of the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester! She grew up in Mount Kisco, one of eleven children, and she and her brothers and sisters learned how to swim and attended after-school programs at the Club. She returned to the Club as an adult as a member of the Board of Directors, serving for 30 years.
Muffin has been invaluable to the Boys & Girls Club since signing on to the Board. She has not only “sold”the Club story to countless individuals throughout Westchester and beyond, but she has also convinced those individuals to support the organization.
Dan Hollis has been practicing law for almost 50 years. Over those decades, he has led some of the most consequential litigations in New York. He has conducted some of the State’s most newsworthy trials and appeals, from state trial courts all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States. Dan has deep involvement in organizations throughout Northern Westchester, where he has resided for nearly 60 years. Dan has been the recipient of the Mount Kisco Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year award and a two time recipient of the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester Humanitarian of the Year Award.
Among those attending the festive evening event were Martha Stewart, County Legislator Erika Pierce and Youth of the Year Award Winner Grace Gerosa of Pleasantville. Among the many live auction items was a horse ride through private gardens with Martha Stewart. It sold for $60,0000!
“At the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester our programming key differentiator is civic advocacy and leadership ensuring that all children every color, socioeconomic background, gender affiliation and religion have the opportunity to hone communication and leadership skills to give back to community,” said Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester CEO Alyzza Ozer.
