The Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens (VBGCQ) proudly announced that its annual gala, held on Thursday, November 13 at Terrace on the Park, drew a crowd of more than 250 to support critical afterschool and youth development programming for thousands of young people across Western Queens.
The evening brought together community leaders, supporters, and partners committed to building brighter futures for Queens youth. Honorees included:
Judge Charles Vallone Award: Anna- Marie Vallone, Vice President at First Central Savings Bank
George Skouras Legacy Award: Henry Lievre, President at Independent Wealth Advisory Group
Ann Buehler Award for Partnership: Sean Caffery, Vice President of External Affairs Hard Rock International
Club Staff of the Year Award: Maria Loizi, Operations Manager Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens
Queens Culture & Art Network Champion of the Arts Award: Cheryle & Stephen Levine
This year’s gala also celebrated VBGCQ’s historic redevelopment project, which will replace the Club’s 1955 building with a state-of-the-art 125,000-square- foot facility, complete with a 1,500-seat arena, 250-seat black box theater, regulation size swimming pool, and the first-ever 65-seat planetarium in Queens. This project, paired with 235 units of affordable housing above the new clubhouse, represents one of the most ambitious community investments in the borough’s history.
Elected officials in attendance included Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, State Senator Michael Gianaris, State Senator Jessica Ramos, State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Assemblymember Jessica Gonzalez Rojas, Council member Tiffany Caban, and Council Member-Elect Shanel Thomas-Henry.
The evening was sponsored by the The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, Rise Light & Power, Hard Rock International, Mega Contracting Group, Jhaelen Capital Projects, FOS Development Corp., E-J Electric Installation Co., Jingoli Power, LLC, Colliers, The Durst Organization, 174 Power Global, and First Central Savings Bank. The silent auction featured exclusive items and experiences from Winspire, QC Spa NY, Hard Rock Hotel, the Noguchi Museum, JetBlue, Delta, Wild Heart Performing Arts Studio, and Court16,
“This gala showcased the extraordinary generosity and unity of our community, and it reinforces the bold vision we are building together,” said Costa Constantinides, Chief Executive Officer of the Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens. “With the leadership of our board and the dedication of our supporters, we are charting a future where every young person in Western Queens has a safe place to learn, grow, and thrive.”
“We are entering a new frontier at Variety, a transformational era defined by innovation, opportunity, and a clubhouse that will stand as a beacon of hope for generations to come,” said Barry M. Jones, Director of Philanthropy & Compliance of the Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens. “The momentum from this gala fuels the work ahead as we build the future our young people serve.”
