Children of the City Gala Raised $100k plus

Our Children of the City gala last Thursday evening was a huge success, raising more than $100k for the non- profit organization based in Sunset Park, New York. There was a tremendous amount of press generated with the celebrities in attendance including David Tyree of the New York Giants, Steve Schirripa of the HBO hit series The Sopranos, who was Master of Ceremonies and New Jersey Nets Richard Jefferson, their second all time leading scorer.

The event was really fun, and there were lots of celebrities. David and I were each presented with the "Children's Champion" Award from Children of the City the at the charity's 4th annual Gala 2008 which was held in New York City at Tribeca Rooftop. This award celebrates all the work David has done in the last three years with the organization -- long before his SuperBowl fame.

Again, the real honor should go to my friends and colleagues who contribute to this wonderful organization so that we can be successful with programs such as our Create Success after school program that helps each student’s academic success via intense tutoring and daily personal help for the kids homework issues from volunteers. We've seen dramatic increases in each participating student’s reading and math levels. Plus it gives them healthy study habits and improved communications and better peer relationships.

You can read more about my philosophies about education for our youth on my website www. RoccoBasile.org

New York Daily News Article on Children of the City Gala

There was an article today in the New York Daily News written by staff writer Gayle Dewees about our Children of the City event this Thursday March 13, hosted by the New Jersey Nets, Richard Jefferson, and with actor Steve Schirripa, who will serve as Master of Ceremonies.

"New York Giants Super Bowl hero David Tyree and local businessman and Bay Ridge resident Rocco Basile will be honored Thursday at the Children of the City's Night of Champions Benefit Gala." Our friend David Tyree has been a supporter of the Children of the City for three years, long before his recent Bowl fame.

The article said, "Rocco Basile helped establish the after-school program by securing resources and funding for the program. They will both receive the program's highest honor, the Children Champion Award."

I'm so honored to receive this. The real honor should go to all my colleagues and friends who contribute to this wonderful organization. I thank you all and truly appreciate your help in supporting my cause and giving the resources to make this dream come true. Your generosity during the holidays with gifts for our toy drive brought so much joy, and the funds have made so much of a difference in our Create Success program. You have helped so many children and their families.

Create Success is an after school and also a summer program focusing on each student’s academic success. There is intense tutoring and daily personal help from colunteers for the students' homework. There have been dramatic increases in each participating student’s reading and math levels. Plus it gives them healthy study habits and improved communications and better peer relationships. Click here to learn more.

Children of the City's Founder and executive Director Joyce Materra said that its a "tremendous opportunity to educate New Yorkers about the challenges these children have to face."

Children of the City, based in Sunset Park, New York has offered help and services to thousands of underprivileged inner-city children and their families for the last 27 years so that they could achieve success in education, social relationships, at home, in finances and careers through the dedication of volunteers and staffed professionals.