Autumn Celebration Raises More Than $50,000

More than 150 guests were in attendance at Boys Town New York’s Autumn Celebration held Thursday, November 17, at The Residences of the Mandarin Oriental. The event raised $50,524 for Boys Town Passages Academy, an accredited alternative public school that provides students with the academic, social and emotional skills they need to successfully transition home.

“The reason we selected the school is that Boys Town New York is committed to giving our kids the best opportunities to improve their lives, and we believe that education is critical to their success,” said Gene Gallagher, Boys Town New York Development Director.

 Event speakers included Father Stephen Boes, Boys Town President and National Executive Director; Cynthia Armijo, Boys Town New York Executive Director; and Damien, a Boys Town New York youth. Boes and Armijo highlighted how Boys Town’s services in all five boroughs of New York City have helped make a difference. 

Damien then gave a presentation about how Boys Town positively impacted his life through the Boys Town Intervention and Assessment, Treatment Family Homes and Passages Academy programs. Now Damien and his family are in the Family Reunification Program.

Joe Ricketts, the founder of TD Ameritrade, opened up his home as the event venue and welcomed the guests personally. He also generously donated drinks and food for guests to enjoy. 

TD Ameritrade helped sponsor the event, along with APT Metrics and Plaza Construction. Mr. Ricketts has already invited Boys Town New York to host a similar fundraising event in his home in the fall of 2012.