Diocese Raises $2.4 Million for Scholarships to Catholic Schools

Almost 1,000 people filled the main ballroom of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in Manhattan for the annual Futures in Education Scholarship Fund Dinner. More than $2.4 million was raised to assist children with tuition at Catholic schools in Brooklyn and Queens.

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio and Msgr. Jamie Gigantiello, diocesan director of development, congratulate the evening’s guests of honor, Peter Ward, president of the New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council, Gina Argento, president of Broadway Stages, and Guy Chiarello, president of First Data.

Queens attorney Joseph Mattone introduces a guest to Bishop DiMarzio.

School children served as greeters for the event.

The chorus from Our Lady of Trust Catholic Academy, Canarsie, perform under the direction of music teacher Kathy Burger.

Scholarship mom, Victoria Mackie, whose children attend St. Rose of Lima Catholic Academy, Rockaway Beach, accepts flowers after thanking the audience for their donations.

The chorus from St. Bernard Catholic Academy, Mill Basin, takes a bow.

Msgr. Gigantiello takes the rostrum after introduction from mistress of ceremonies, Rosanna Scotto, co-host of WNYC Fox-TV’s Good Day New York, and a graduate of Visitation Academy, Bay Ridge.

The audience in the historic ballroom, which will soon undergo extensive renovations, extended two tiers high.

The New York Tenors, Danny Rodriguez, Andy Cooney and Christopher Macchio give a sneak preview of the Spirit of Christmas Concert they will perform to benefit Futures in Education at Lincoln Center Dec. 12.