Many galas have VIP experiences, but the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Louisiana created a notable one for its Blue Door Blues Gala on June 8. Guests had the opportunity to mingle with New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame member Tyrone Hughes and Saints players Zack Baun, Blake Gillikin (now Arizona Cardinals), Wil Lutz (now Denver Broncos), Pete Werner and Zach Wood for an hour prior to the start of the gala.
It produced the right mood for the rest of the evening at Generations Hall, where Andree & the Giants performed a blues set list, along with other favorite songs; Pigéon Catering prepared food; and the signature concoction was a Cathead honeysuckle vodka and lemonade cocktail. A silent auction of 52 items helped raise more funds.
In addition to the Saint-ly stars, more luminaries shone brightly: David Gallo, Gary Solomon and Jonathan Kernion were honored and inducted into the Jeremiah Milbank Society, which provides annual national recognition to individual donors for unrestricted annual campaign gifts of $10,000 or more to a Boys & Girls Club.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Louisiana serves those aged 6-18 who need it the most through after-school and summer programs at nine clubs located across Baton Rouge, Covington, Gretna, New Orleans and Slidell.
Event co-chairs were Jeanne Gallo and Judy Verges.
Fun Fact: This was the organization’s most successful Blue Door Blues Gala to date. It benefited the 1,000-plus youths that it serves through three core areas of programming: academic success, healthy lifestyles and character and leadership.
Gary Lorio, Carolyn Lorio, Jeanne Gallo, David Gallo
Vincent Giardina, Donna Giardina, Diane Cory, Steve Cory
Pete Werner, Angel Nelson, Zach Wood, Wil Lutz
Larry Barabino Jr., Larry Barabino, Essence Harris Banks, Nina Balan
Jeremy Hunnewell, Emily Sparks, Michelle Landry, Wally Landry
