2023 Soaring to Greater Heights!

The BGCCA 2023 Great Futures Gala: Soaring to Greater Heights was presented by Kohl's at The Hangar at 743 on Thursday, September 28th.

The event entertained nearly 300 guests and featured a harvest moon, gorgeous autumn weather, an abundance of delicious food and refreshment options, as well as lively entertainment and exciting surprises! Scroll down for the photo gallery courtesy of Best Frame Forward. Dinner tastings were provided by: Allie B's Cozy Kitchen, Alltown Fresh, Baked by Vohnoutka, BGCCA Kitchen, Cafe Deli-icious, Gather & Graze, Mazzone Hospitality, 677 Prime, The Roosevelt Room, and Texas Roadhouse.

Event attractions included music from IMI the Band, axe throwing by Generation Axe, custom and whimsical Caricatures by Rocky, and an online auction that featured music and sports memorabilia - including a guitar signed by Taylor Swift!

We had the opportunity to honor Senator Neil D. Breslin and Kohl's for their continued impact on the community and the youth we serve. A fantastic surprise came from Andrew Joyce and Albany County Legislatures in the form of a giant check for Boys & Girls Clubs totaling $19,999! We also highlighted our 2023 Staff of the Year winners: Chaniece Brown, Troy Clubhouse Site Coordinator and Miriam Montes, Director of Empire Programs, for their tireless roles in providing youth services.

The hit of the night was certainly the Paper Airplane Contests which got folks of all ages trying to hit the target or get the longest flight. Two people hit the target and the longest flight nearly left the hangar!

Thank you to everyone who attended the event! All proceeds benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area and the youth services we provide in Albany and Rensselaer Counties. Learn more about how you may get involved.

Thank you to our Event Sponsors!

99 Restaurants, Death Wish Coffee, Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation, Thiel, Betsi & Bill McGoldrick, CDPHP, Mazzone Hospitality, ServiceMaster Clean, Charter Oak Financial, DeCrescente Distributing Company, ProNexus, LLC, Pioneer, Ted's Fish Fry, Environmental Design-Research Landscape Architecture Engineering & Environmental Services, Tri-City Valley Cats, Driscoll Foods, Hair by Robert Thomsen, A Smyth Advocacy, Siena College, Human Interest, Ten Eyck Group, and The Nguyen-McDowell Family. Thank you to our Honorary Captains! ACSI - Mark Brand; Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.; International Union of Painters; Joseph P. Mangione, Inc.; Malkin & Ross; Seeley Office Systems; Peter Gannon, United Way; and Young/Sommer LLC.

Lisa Allendorph, Hon. Owusu Anane and Emely Anane, Carol Coultry, April & Ed Backus, Kirsten Broschinsky & Solon Boomer-Jenks, Jeff & Carley Collins, Mary Ann Giering, John Kearney, Brian Mulvey & Erinn Blendell, Matt Smith, Hon. Paul D. Tonko, and Christine Tramontano & Angelo Faga.

IN THE NEWS: See photos from the Times Union SEEN Gallery GALA VIDEO RECAP:

Photos provided by Best Frame Forward:

Great Futures Start Here in the Capital Area!