“When opportunity knocks, you answer and that’s what BCNY is doing- giving these boys the opportunity to answer,” Yankee MVP and All-Star, Don Mattingly during his presentation of the BCNY/Don Mattingly Spirit Award.
On November 17th, 2011, BCNY’s annual Awards Dinner was held in honor of New York Yankee All-Star, Bernie Williams, and dedicated BCNY Trustees, Robert “Stretch” Gardiner and Richard “Dick” Cashin. The three were chosen to receive the prestigious Northrop Award, Harriman Award and BCNY/Don Mattingly Spirit Award for their leadership, philanthropy and 
Honorees, Dick Cashin, Bernie Williams and Stretch Gardiner. (Click on the photo to view the entire slideshow.)dedication to youth development.
Dick Cashin, a BCNY Trustee for over 20 years, was honored with the Harriman Award which was presented by BCNY Board President, Ed Rappa and Harriman Clubhouse Boy-of-the-Year, William Noel Jimenez. Bernie Williams, four-time Yankee World Series Champion and five-time MLB All-Star, was honored with the Northrop Award, presented by Kitty Northrop-Friedman and Abbe Clubhouse Boy-of-the-Year, Keith Robert Byam. Stretch Gardiner, a BCNY trustee for over 35 years, was honored with the Don Mattingly/BCNY Spirit Award which was presented to him by Yankee All-Star Don Mattingly, BCNY Board Vice-President, Elbridge T. Gerry and Gerry Clubhouse Boy-of-the-Year, Davante Spellman.
The evening’s festivities were held at the Mandarin Oriental in Manhattan, where guests enjoyed beautiful views of Central Park from the 36th floor. The Yankee Entertainment and Sport (YES) Network came to capture the two Yankees and profile their charitable work with our organization. The interview is set to air later this month on their network.
The night ended with a celebration and song in honor of Stretch’s birthday, Claudius Agrippa played “happy birthday” on the violin as a cake was presented to him. It was the perfect wrap-up to a ceremonious evening.
