Led by an all-star squad of sports celebrities, the Henry Viscardi School in Albertson raised more than at $1 million at the at 48th Annual Viscardi Celebrity Sports Night last Thursday.
Supporters of the school, which serves disabled children and adults, purchased sports celebrity autographs and bid on sports memorabilia in a silent auction to help bring in $1.1 million and counting as of last Friday, according to Viscardi spokeswoman Kim Brussell
Former New York Mets and Yankees pitching star Dwight “Doc” Gooden was honored as Viscardi sportsman of the year and Olympic and Paraolympic athlete Tatyana McFadden was recognized with the Roy Campanella Award.
“Life should be lived without limits. It’s about what you do have, not what you don’t have,” McFadden said as she appeared onstage in her wheelchair to receive the award.
Gooden referred to his “disability” with substance abuse and said he was pleased to lend support to the event.
He was constantly occupied signing autographs and taking pictures with Viscardi students and fans during the cocktail hour preceding dinner.
“It’s just great to see everybody here tonight for a good cause. It’s good to be here tonight,” Gooden said.
The evening’s special guest was J.R. Martinez, a U.S. Army veteran who suffered burns to 34 percent of his body in Iraq in 2003, ultimately recovering and gaining celebrity by winning ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars”.
“These kids didn’t ask to be in the position they’re in. I see these kids smiling and I applaud the vision of the Viscardi School,” Martinez said. “I represent a lot of people who overcome adversity. They still have an opportunity to make an impact on their communities.”
The Viscardi School provides children with severe physical disabilities and who often require life-sustaining medical treatment throughout the day, a traditional setting for education from grade school through high school. The Viscardi Center also provides vocational training for disabled adults.
John Kemp, president and CEO of the Viscardi Center, told the audience of Viscardi supporters, parents and students that the sports night raises “critical funds” the center depends on to support its programs for children and adults.
“We are all here to attempt to fulfill Dr. Henry Viscardi’s vision of creating opportunities for the disabled,” Kemp said.
Gooden and McFadden were joined by former New York Mets Mookie Wilson and Bud Harrelson, former New York Jets Wesley Walker, John Schmitt, Mike D’Amato and John Dockery, former New York Giant Sean Landeta, former New York Islander Bobby Nystrom.
CBS News personality Jill Nicolini and FIOs 1 news anchor C.J. Pappa were also among those who signed autographs and shmoozed with fans at the fundraiser.
“I’ve been supporting the school for many years,” Mookie Wilson said. “They do great work here. The kids are fantastic.”
Wesley Walker, who suffered with blindness in one eye from birth, said he’s a longtime participant at Viscardi sports night. Currently a physical education teacher in Kings Park, the former Jets receiver said he’s tried to be a role model because of his handicap.
He said being at the event gave him perspective on a recent spinal fusion surgery he underwent.
“When I come to a dinner like this, I have more of an appreciation for life,” Walker said. “My problems seem miniscule.”
The final act in the evening’s fundraising efforts brought “Sopranos” star Steve Schirripa back for a second year to conduct an auction for special sports opportunities, such as throwing out the first pitch for an upcoming Met- Atlanta Braves at Citifield.
“I’ve thrown out the first pitch a few times. You’ve thrown out the first pitch, haven’t you Doc?” Schirripa said, using Gooden as a straight man during his auction banter.
The dinner opened with a chorus of Viscardi students singing “God Bless America”.
The finale of the evening featured a group of Viscardi students performaning in a skit with several celebrities, including former Olympics figure skaters JoJo Starbuck and Randy Gardner, as The Viscardi Super Heroes in blue capes emblazoned with a white “V”.
