WABC-TV news…
By Daniel Arimborgo
Legendary St. John’s University basketball coach and Basketball Hall of Famer Lou Carnesecca was to be the distinguished honorary chairman of The Samaritan Foundation’s annual Spring Benefit Ball held Wednesday at the New York Hilton.
WABC-TV news anchor Bill Ritter was scheduled to serve as master of ceremonies and Peter Duchin was to provide the music.
Honorees were St. John’s University President the Rev. Donald Harrington, who received the Humanitarian and Visionary Leadership Award; David Neeleman, chief executive officer of Jet Blue Airways Corp., named Man of the Year; Parks and Recreation Assistant Commissioner Estelle Cooper, Woman of Substance Award recipient; Kings County District Attorney Charles Hunes, Public Service Award recipient; and Georgiana Reese, Queens County Savings Bank vice president, who received the Carl Goldstein Samaritan Ambassador Award.
Former New Jersey NETS star Jayson Williams served as honorary chairman.
Alfred Graser, deputy director of the Port Authority of NY/NJ and Warren Kroeppel, LaGuardia Airport general manager, served as honorary co-chairs.
Benefit co-chairs were Carl Goldstein, senior vice president, S. Lichtenberg & Co.; and Leslie Nixin, Queens Bar Association president.
