The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation, established by former New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin, held its annual Champions for Children Gala over Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers in New York City on Wednesday night.
Among those honored were ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro, two-time NCAA Men’s Basketball National Champion Coach Rick Pitino, and Giants Board Director Susan Mara McDonnell.
Also in attendance for the event were former Giants Billy Ard, Charles Way, Chris Canty, Chris Snee, Harry Carson, Henry Hynoski, Karl Nelson, Leonard Marshall, Zak DeOssie, and Jeff Feagles. Former coaches Kevin Gilbride and Jerry Palmeri were also on-site.
The star-studded event is held to help “raise critical funds for families in New York and New Jersey tackling pediatric cancer.” And to say it was a success would be an understatement.
In total, the Champions for Children Gala raised $1.3 million for patients and families fighting childhood cancer.
“Thank you to everyone who supported the Champions for Children Gala on October 8 by attending, donating, and bidding in our auction. Together, you teamed up and said, ‘Put me in, Coach,’ helping to raise over $1.3 million for patients and families tackling childhood cancer. No one fights alone, and your generosity allows us to continue to serve as a vital lifeline when families are facing the unthinkable,” The Jay Fund said in a statement.
Retired Giants defensive end and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Michael Strahan, was also on hand as part of ABC’s coverage of the event, and he spoke about it on Good Morning America.
“It was special because the organization, led by my former coach and my guy, Tom Coughlin, the Jay Fund,” Strahan said, “it provides financial and emotional support for families battling childhood cancer.
“Great job by everyone involved. I’m just happy that Tom Coughlin, for 31 years, has been doing the Jay Fund.”
If you’re interested in ways to give or how to volunteer, be sure to check the official Jay Fund Foundation website.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Jay Fund Foundation raises $1.3 million at annual gala for those tackling childhood cancer
Reporting by Dan Benton, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
