Boys' & Girls' Towns of Italy (BGTI), a nonprofit that empowers war refugee, migrant and at-risk youth living on the streets, is thrilled to announce that it raised over $157,000 at its Wine and Spirits Annual International Dinner on Thursday, September 12 at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury, New York. The funds will be used for BGTI's innovative youth development program where young people from over 18 different countries learn through self-government to lead, rather than become victims to their lives.

"I have been coming to this dinner for many years, so to be the honoree tonight is very special. What I find so compelling about Boys' & Girls' Towns of Italy is that displaced children are not only offered refuge, but also the chance to have successful futures. BGTI's self-government approach instills in these kids critical life skills and values that help rebuild lives and develop strong foundations that the children carry with them forever," said Man of the Year Joe Lehane, Senior Vice President of Diageo.

Despite the rain, leaders from the Wine and Spirits Industry came together to celebrate Joe's record-breaking fundraising dinner. The evening's program also included a presentation of honorary citizenship to the South Dakota Retail Liquor Dealers Association's Sky Ranch Foundation, whose generous $40,000 grant sponsored four young people at Boys' Town and Girls' Town Rome for an entire calendar. Sky Ranch Mentor Jason Glasser was in attendance to accept the proclamation on behalf of the foundation.

When presenting the proclamation of honorary citizenship, Dinner Co-chairman Stephen Bellini said, "I joined the wine and spirits industry as a young man. One of the first things that immediately impressed me was its philanthropic spirit. We have supported many charities, but there is a special fondness for young people in need. Tonight's recognition of the Sky Ranch Foundation's grant to BGTI further demonstrates our industry's continued commitment to helping young people around the world."

BGTI's success lies in its innovative self-government approach. The young people at the two campuses outside of Rome are related to as citizens responsible for running their Town. They elect one another to positions such as mayor, judge, and commissioner, and hold regular assembly meetings to discuss the affairs of their Town. Through this activity, along with schooling and vocational training, they develop vital skills needed to integrate into and contribute to society as active, self-reliant adults.

"Our kids, all of them teenagers who come from some of life's grimmest situations—war, extreme poverty, abuse, human and sex trafficking —they all have something in common. They demonstrate their capacity to live together and run their Town, to develop beyond their pain and learn the vocational and life skills needed to successfully enter mainstream society. BGTI's community-based self-government approach provides them with these tools. And the kids run with them. I've seen them grow before my very eyes," said Executive Director Carrie Sackett.

Since its founding in 1945 by Monsignor John Patrick Carroll-Abbing, BGTI has been funded by a generous American community of donors moved by the immigrant experience and a desire to give back.

"It was a pleasure to present the Man of the Year Award to Joe. When it comes to kids, for Joe it's just not about him; it's about "What are the kids learning, who are they becoming?" Our founder Monsignor Carroll-Abbing was a humble man. He attracted people who wanted to and decided to give. It wasn't about them. Joe has that desire to give back to our most vulnerable – the children – and that's important to recognize," said Dinner Chairman and longtime supporter, Herman Hochberg.

Boys' & Girls' Towns of Italy would like to thank its patrons for their generous and continued support over the past six decades. For more information or to make a donation, please email the Boys' & Girls' Towns of Italy New York office at [email protected] or visit our website at www.bgti.org.