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17th ANNUAL DR. THEODORE J. ATLAS FOUNDATION DINNER THURSDAY NIGHT, NOVEMBER 21, AT HILTON GARDEN INN ON STATEN ISLAND 


New York, November 19-MSNBC Hardball’s Chris Matthews will receive the Dr. Theodore J. Atlas Humanitarian Award and FOX 5’s Russ Salzberg will accept the Jack Newfield Award as the honorees at the 17th annual Atlas Foundation Dinner Thursday night, November 21, at the Hilton Garden Inn on Staten Island. Boxing trainer and ESPN Friday Night Fights analyst Teddy Atlas hosts the benefit which assists New York’s less fortunate. 


The boxing world gathers en masse in support of the charity, including Gerry Cooney, Micky Ward, Chuck Wepner, Yuri Foreman, Iran Barkley, Buddy McGirt and Paulie Malignaggi. The television and broadcast entourage which will attend includes MLB Network’s Brian Kenny, WFAN’s Voice of the Giants Bob Papa, sportscaster Spencer Ross, ESPN anchors Jonathan Coachman and Todd Grisham, and actors Chris Noth, Holt McCallany, and Tony Sirico. Football greats Harry Carson, Karl Nelson, Sean Landeta and Bruce Harper, basketball standouts Charles Oakley, Dikembe Mutombo and Darryl Dawkins, hockey stars Ken Daneyko and Nick Fotiu, and top thoroughbred jockeys Mike Luzzi and Rajiv Maragh will all be in attendance. 


The Newfield Award remembers the late, great New York Post columnist who was a long-time supporter of the Atlas Foundation’s works, and given to a journalist who shares his spirit of fighting for the underdog and helping those in need.  Each year a donation is made to Hunter College Foundation's Jack Newfield Professorship, in the name of the recipient.  Russ Salzberg with his personal exposes on athletes who make a difference in their communities embodies The “Newfield “care of people that made him this year’s recipient. 


Matthews, a political commentator and news anchor, will receive the Dr. Theodore A. Atlas Foundation Humanitarian Award in recognition of his numerous contributions to charitable causes. The Humanitarian Award is given to an exemplary individual who is deeply committed to giving back to others and doing good in their community. 


The Foundation was founded in 1997 by boxing trainer, commentator and motivational speaker Teddy Atlas to honor the memory of his father, Dr. Theodore Atlas. Dr. Atlas was a physician who for 55 years provided medical services to his community. He also founded and built a hospital so that the less fortunate amongst us could and would always have proper hospital care when needed. His spirit of giving is embodied in the Foundation that bears his name. 


The Foundation comes to the aid of people in a variety of difficult situations, people who have nowhere else to turn for help, people who would otherwise fall between the cracks. And it does so in a very direct and a very real way. Once the Foundation identifies a person or a family in need, it moves immediately to help, and avoids any bureaucratic obstacles that might damage the recipient’s pride. 


Tables with seating for 12 are available for $5,000, $3,300 and $2,400 and individual tickets are $200. Seating is limited and reservations are required. For tickets and more information please call the Foundation office at 718-980-7037 or email TeddyDinner@dratlasfoundation.com. The Hilton Garden Inn is located at 1100 South Avenue in Staten Island, NY.

Touching moment: (left to right): Michael Kay, Jim Nantz and Joe Girardi share the Yankee manager's reflections on his father Jerry at the inaugural Alzheimer's benefit at the Grand Central Oyster Bar in 2008.


Shelli Sonstein, Q104.3 Radio personality, accepts the Ruth Friedman Tribute Award from Sandy Ingber and family at Alzheimer's research benefit at the Grand Central Oyster Bar.

O-Kay! YES Network's voice of the Yankees Michael Kay, award-winning actor Danny Aiello, and CBS2 Sports anchor Otis Livingston at Alzheimer's research gala at Grand Central Oyster Bar.

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Press Releases

Cirillo World served as event management and strategic media agency for the Boys & Girls Club of Mt. Vernon's 100th Anniversary Gala on March 24, 2012. Here is a photo gallery of the star-studded event.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF MOUNT VERNON 100th ANNIVERSARY GALA ON SATURDAY NIGHT, MARCH 24, AT RYE TOWN HILTON

Simms is a Pearl: Oyster Bar vice president Mohammed Lawal and president Janet Poccia joined Phil Simms as the honoree at Remember When, Remember Now Alzheimer's research benefit in  2010.

Batterymates team to fight Alzheimer's: Former Yankees star pitcher David Cone, chairman Jim Houlihan and Yankees manager Joe Girardi at the 2009 Remember When Remember Now gala for Alzheimer's Research at the Grand Central Oyster Bar.

Former Knicks star Anthony Mason surprised students at PS 63 in the Bronx with a holiday appearance on behalf of Steiner Sports and Cirillo World.

“Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.” 

​-Vince Lombardi

Involvement in the Community

Empire City Casino president Timothy J. Rooney pictured with little Eva Hall at the annual Christmas Toy & Coat Drive for Catholic Charities.

Vinny the Cat gets the assist from Cirillo World founder John Cirillo at pet adoption awareness event on National Catfish Day at the Grand Central Oyster Bar.

Empire City Hosts Walk For A Cure to benefit juvenile Diabetes research

Popular Sirius Radio host Christopher "Mad Dog" Russo serves as auctioneer for Remember When, Remember Now Alzheimer's Research benefit hosted by the Grand Central Oyster Bar.

Leading driver Brett Holland and his family joined Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway employees assisting the Food Bank of Westchester

Giants Super Bowl MVP/NFL on CBS analyst Phil Simms (right) joins the Oyster Bar's Mohammed Lawal and Janet Poccia at the Remember When Remember Now Alzheimer's Research benefit hosted by the historic seafood restaurant. Simms was recipient of the James Nantz Award, which remembers CBS Sports Jim Nantz's father.