Clifton Boys and Girls Club Honors Mayor Jim Anzaldi at 75th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee Gala

Last night, more than 360 people attended the Boys and Girls Club of Clifton’s 75th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee Gala at the Valley Regency in Clifton. The event, the organizations largest fundraising event of the year, also served as a special tribute to honor former Mayor Jim Anzaldi’s more than three decades of service to the City of Clifton.

The sold out event, kicked off with a special VIP Wine Tasting for the first hour, followed by the main gala, where attendees enjoyed a buffet dinner, plus a live band and hours of dancing.

Hailey Mia honored attendees with her rendition of the National Anthem.

One of the many highlights of the evening was the incredible rendition of the National Anthem performed live by 15-year-old Clifton resident, Hailey Mia, a former 4th place finisher on the NBC TV Show ‘The Voice.’

Speakers for the night included: Master of Ceremonies, Tom Hawrylko, who gave a history of the Boys and Girls Club, Henry Marrocco, a close personal friend of Mayor Anzaldi, and several politicians including Passaic County Commissioner, Bruce James, who announced that Mayor Anzaldi will soon be honored as only the 6th person in history to be inducted into the Passaic County Hall of Fame.

Mayor Anzaldi delivered a reflective speech on his many years in office and his long history with the Clifton Boys and Girls Club, and exhibited the humble humility which has made him such a beloved figure in Clifton over so many years.

According to the Gala Committee Chairperson, former Clifton City Councilman Joe Cupoli, “It was really nice to have a gala fundraising event in Clifton. I don’t remember there ever being an event of this magnitude in Clifton for a Clifton-based organization. We are hoping that this will become an annual tradition.”

Donations to the club came not only through ticket sales, but also through the generosity of many Clifton businesses and individuals, including three $10,000 Signature Sponsorships from: Clifton law firm Corradino & Papa, The Krenicki Charitable Fund, and Clifton realtor, Mahmoud Ijbara.

A big thank you to all who attended, who donated, who volunteered, and who work every day on behalf of Clifton’s finest asset of all, our youth.