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Celebrity Sports Night

May 15, 2007

On May 17th Abilities! hosted it’s 41st Annual Celebrity Sports Night dinner, which raised more than $1 million in support of programs and services at the Henry Viscardi School and Abilities, Inc. Nearly 800 guests packed Abilities! Albertson facility for the Subway Series themed event, raising much needed funds for programs that assist children and adults with disabilities.

Abilities! deeply appreciates the generosity of the many people and organizations who demonstrated their commitment to the Center by supporting our 2007 Sports Night event. We are especially grateful to our major supporters, Lucy and Ralph Palleschi, Dinner Sponsor, and Iris and Saul Katz and Family, Cocktail Reception Sponsor. We were also pleased to welcome the following new sponsors to the Abilities! family and our growing list of supporters: YES Network, SportsNet New York, American International Group (AIG), SES Americom, Ascent Media, Jeffrey Doppelt, WP Stewart & Co., Intelsat, and XL Insurance. We thank them for their generous contributions.

Abilities! was privileged to honor Joseph L. Mancino, former Chairman and CEO, Roslyn Savings Bank for his outstanding commitment to our organization. John Filippelli, President, Production and Programming, YES Network and Jon Litner, newly appointed President of Comcast SportsNet were recognized as business Sportsmen of the Year. Baseball legends Keith Hernandez and Graig Nettles were named Executive Sports Stars and Aimee Mullins, President, Women’s Sports Foundation and double amputee received the Roy Campanella award.

Honoree Joseph Mancino, former Chairman and CEO, Roslyn Savings Bank thanked everyone and stated, “by being here tonight all of you are making sure that every individual that has a disability has a chance to get an education — has a chance to learn a vocation — and has a chance to have a very successful life… but it takes Abilities! and the Henry Viscardi School to make it happen and by all of you being here tonight you are making it happen.”

Ed Cortez, President and CEO of Abilities! stated “we are extremely grateful for the overwhelming generosity of the individuals who participated in this year’s Sports Night—from the celebrity athletes who graciously gave of their time signing autographs, taking photos and having dinner with our guests—to the corporations, foundations and individuals who responded with unprecedented financial support. Our goal this year was to raise $1 million and thanks to all of you we have once again exceeded our goal.” Cortez continued “with the money raised tonight we will continue to grow and create new programs for people with disabilities and the employees of Abilities! will continue to change peoples lives for the better.”

This year’s all-star cast of celebrity athletes also include former NFL greats—Leonard Marshall, Wesley Walker, Sean Landeta, Marty Lyons, John Dockery; former MLB greats—Bud Harrelson, Tom Seaver, Rusty Staub, Jim ‘Mudcat’ Grant; former NBA greats—John Starks, Jack ‘Dutch’ Garfinkel; former NHL greats—Rod Gilbert, Clark Gillies, Michael Hordy, Garth Snow, Steve Webb; figure skating greats— Sarah Hughes, Emily Hughes, JoJo Starbuck; Boxing legend Joe Frazier; WWE champion Mick Foley; and many more.