NYC Leadership Council to Host 20th Annual Summer Social
Tickets and Sponsorship Opportunities Remain for This Inspirational Annual Event
By Randy Robertson, Regional Storyteller
When Chris Battipaglia was a freshman checking into the dorms at Villanova University in 2010, his new roommate walked in wearing a Special Olympics t-shirt. At the time, Chris knew his life would be changing fast as he embarked on the college experience. Turns out he also was beginning a path that would lead him to a life of volunteerism with the Special Olympics.
“When I saw my roommate’s Special Olympics shirt and his involvement with the organization, I got involved there at Villanova,” Chris recalled. “Years later when I got my feet on the ground in New York City, I was looking for a way to get involved and found the New York City Leadership Council. The Summer Social was the first event I attended and was my entry into an organization I can no longer picture my life without.”
Chris is now a vice president at BNP Paribas and a co-chair of the upcoming 20th annual Summer Social to be held at Marquee New York on July 29. Joining Chris as co-chairs are James Tang of Alliance Global Partners and Max Gentile of CIBC.
Max attended his first Summer Social shortly after graduating from Cornell University in 2014. He moved to New York City and was looking for something more meaningful beyond his day job. He found that with Special Olympics New York.
“The Summer Social is a culmination of the year-round efforts at Special Olympics New York, a celebration of all that the athletes and the organization have achieved,” Max said. “For me, the highlight is when they show a 2–3-minute highlight video of the athletes competing, you can hear a pin drop. Everyone is so locked in on the video, it’s incredibly moving.”
James, meanwhile, has been involved in the Summer Social since the first event held 20 years ago, shortly after his graduation from Colby College. It was a smaller event in those days, as James recalled there were 20-30 people in attendance.
“I went for a social event and to meet people, and I bought into the Special Olympics mission,” James said. “I became a fan. It’s great seeing new people get involved too. The Summer Social is big in scale and a lot of fun. We always have athletes there to talk about how Special Olympics has impacted their lives. I love it.”
This year, the honorees will include 2025 Rising Star Coach Katelyne Maroney, a New York City Leadership Council member and the coach of the Manhattan Wildcats basketball team. Last month, Maroney and the Wildcats competed in the Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota. The Wildcats won all five games and brought the gold medal home to New York City. The team is looking forward to showing off their bling at the Summer Social.
Just as Chris, Max and James found the Summer Social to be fun and life changing, so might you.
The 20th annual Summer Social will be held on Wednesday, July 29 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Marquee New York at 289 10th Avenue in New York City. In addition to honoring Coach Maroney and the gold medal winning Wildcats basketball team, there will be an open bar, live DJ, silent auction and appearances by Special Olympics New York Athletes.
For more information about the Summer Social, or to buy tickets or become a sponsor, visit the event web page.
The New York City Leadership Council always welcomes new members. To submit a membership form or just learn more about the organization and the work young professionals in New York City are doing there, visit the council website.
To stay updated on all Special Olympics New York events and opportunities, sign up for our newsletter.
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