Inner-City Scholarship Fund Gala Raises More Than $800,000

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During his remarks, the co-chairman of the Friends of the Inner-City Scholarship Fund gala humorously noted that guests gathered at Cipriani restaurant in midtown Manhattan—a site once occupied by a savings bank building—had come to give their money to a good cause.

John Callagy, partner and chairman of the Kelley Drye & Warren law firm, and his wife, Mollie, chaired the 35th annual Friends of Inner-City Scholarship Fund Gala Dinner Dance May 16. He thanked the staff, board members and donors present, telling them that through their efforts, “8,000 school age kids in the inner city participate and have the opportunity to have a Catholic-based education.”

He announced that more than $800,000 was raised at the dinner.

During brief remarks, Archbishop Dolan gave a heartfelt “thank you” to those gathered.

Susan George, executive director of the Inner-City Scholarship Fund, also shared a word of thanks, saying, “Thank you for your generosity, which allows us to help so many children throughout our city gain access to the wonderful inner-city Catholic schools.”

Martha MacCallum, news anchor of FOX News Channel’s America’s News Room, served as master of ceremonies. Ms. MacCallum and her husband, Dan, sponsor three high school students in the “Be A Student’s Friend Program.” She highlighted some notable facts about the Inner-City Scholarship Fund, particularly that 68 percent of students live near or below the federal poverty line. “It is truly astonishing to realize that 95 percent of this graduating class is enrolled for post-secondary education,” she said.

Providing entertainment for the some 400 guests gathered were a group of students from Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx who performed selections from their spring show “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Performing with them were girls from St. Jean Baptiste High School in Manhattan and Aquinas High School and St. Raymond Academy, both in the Bronx.

Father Joseph Tierney, president of Cardinal Hayes, told CNY, “As one of the schools who benefits, we are grateful to the fund for allowing these young men to receive a Catholic education and an opportunity for their future.”

He said, “The Inner-City Scholarship Fund reaches out to young people who would not be able to attend Catholic schools.” He noted the value of Catholic education: “It gives students a solid footing for their education in the world today and a moral compass to live their lives.”