Boys & Girls Clubs of Hudson County mark 125th anniversary with annual awards dinner
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Hudson County marked their 125th anniversary at the annual Brian C. Doherty Community Service Awards dinner Tuesday night, when 10 people were honored for their contributions to the community.
The annual dinner at the Liberty House Restaurant is held in memory of Brian C. Doherty, whose advocacy impacted the lives of countless youth and their families in Hudson County. Doherty, an attorney and staunch supporter of the Boys & Girls Clubs, died suddenly in August 2001.
Each year the club honors a group of people who are instrumental in the community by giving awards named after Doherty. Here are the 2018 honorees:
- Frank Burno, boys varsity basketball coach at Marist High School
- Iris Hernandez, executive assistant at TD Ameritrade
- Jigisha Thaker, founder of Shanti Now Financial
- Bashir Mason, men's basketball head coach at Wagner College
- Donald Copeland Jr., assistant men's basketball coach at Wagner College
- Alex Mirabel, boys varsity basketball coach at St. Peter's Prep
- Markis Abraham, attorney and BGCHC board member
- Hassanah Abullah, licensed child care provider
- Jennell Parsons, teacher at Jersey City Community Charter School
- Reginald Quinn, girls varsity basketball coach at Marist High School
Attendees also heard from Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla, Boys & Girls Clubs of Hudson County executive director Gary Greenberg, as well as Buddy Valastro of "Cake Boss" fame, who presented a special cake celebrating the organization's 125th anniversary.
Click on the photo gallery above for a look back on the special evening.