Local community and business leaders, including New York Mets legend Darryl Strawberry, were recognized for their contributions to the borough during The Queens Courier’s third annual "Rising Stars Awards & Networking" event.
More than 500 people attended the event at Citi Field that began with networking, trade show and expo tables.
Strawberry, who is also the owner of Strawberry’s Sports Grill in Douglaston, was presented with the "Star of Stars Award."
“It is indeed an honor to be here,” he said. “I’m here to share tonight with these rising stars and to say congratulations to you all.”
In addition to Strawberry, the event honored 40 individuals under 40 years of age who not only succeed in business but also give back to the community.
“The future is here and it’s in the faces of every one of our rising stars,” Courier publisher Victoria Schneps-Yunis said. “The icing on the cake was to have legendary baseball player Darryl Strawberry as our Star of Stars. It doesn’t get better than this.”
The "Rising Stars Awards & Networking" event also served as an opportunity to raise money for a good cause – Life’s WORC. Now celebrating its 40th anniversary, the organization provides services that facilitate an independent and productive life for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Funds were raised through a raffle of airfare tickets on JetBlue, and gift baskets donated by David Lerner Associates, Party City-College Point, Life’s WORC, Christie & Co., TD Bank and Strawberry’s Sports Grill.
Sponsors of the event were TD Bank, CUNY, PSCH, Flushing Bank, Con Edison, White Castle, St. John’s University, Queens County Savings Bank, Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care & Rehabilitation, Council for Airport Opportunity, Strawberry’s Sports Grill and Metropolitan Hospitality at Citi Field.
