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Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. Raises Over $611k for City Youth Groups


Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. presented checks to youth organizations in the city during a check presentation ceremony held at Resorts Casino on Thursday, August 25, 2022, in Atlantic City, NJ. The mayor’s landmark “Together We Rise” Inaugural Gala fundraiser raised a historic amount of $611,130, eclipsing his fundraising objective for the event. The proceeds from the gala are benefitting the Greater Atlantic City Youth Association (GACYA), a non-profit organization that is providing funds to numerous Atlantic City youth programs. Pictured in the front row, left to right: Roy Wesley, Jr. (Omega by the Sea Foundation); Stephanie Koch, Brian Little (Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City); George Crouch (Atlantic City Dolphins); William “Speedy” Marsh, Lt. Will Santiago (Atlantic City Police Athletic League); Phyllis Papa, Ava Holly Lewis-Korth (Atlantic City Ballet); Roxanne Passarella (Gala Committee Member). Back row, left to right: Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr.; Shurlana Stewart (Greater Atlantic City Youth Association); Joe Jacobs (Gala Committee Member); Phyllis Lacca, Bill McHugh (HOPE Foundation); Shermaine Gunter-Gary (Empowerment Tools Coalition).

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE: Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. made a historic donation of $611,130 to support youth programs in the city during a special check presentation ceremony held at Resorts Casino on Thursday, August 25, 2022.

With representatives from numerous Atlantic City youth organizations on hand, as well as Resorts Casino owner Morris Bailey, Mayor Small announced that his June 2022 “Together We Rise” Inaugural Gala fundraising event eclipsed his ambitious goal of raising $500,000, bringing in more money for youth-oriented non-profits in the city than any other event of its kind.

Presenting a check to each youth organization individually during the ceremony, Mayor Small was extremely proud to support the future leaders of Atlantic City and carry out his mission to raise an unprecedented amount of money at his landmark inaugural gala event.

“Today was truly a great day in Atlantic City,” said Mayor Small. “To be able to raise the bar in how we can help our children develop and thrive, we should all be extremely proud. Thank you to every single person who generously donated their time, energy, and dollars to this worthy cause, including our amazing sponsors and committee members. And thank you to the youth of this city for inspiring us all to come together for the good of their future. Together, we have proven that anything is possible and that, together, we can truly rise.”

The proceeds from Mayor Small’s gala fundraiser are benefitting the Atlantic City-based 501(c)(3) Greater Atlantic City Youth Association (GACYA), a non-profit organization that is providing funds to the following Atlantic City-based programs:

· Atlantic City Dolphins ($158,000)

· Atlantic City Police Athletic League ($63,000)

· Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City ($63,000)

· Empowerment Tools Coalition ($63,000)

· Omega by the Sea Foundation ($43,000)

· Atlantic City Ballet ($5,000)

· HOPE Foundation ($5,000)

 Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. presents a plaque to Resorts Casino Owner and JEMB Realty Corporation Chairman Morris Bailey during a check presentation event at Resorts Casino on Thursday, August 25, 2022. Bailey, who was born in Atlantic City, was honored for personally donating $35,000 to Mayor Small’s landmark “Together We Rise” Inaugural Gala fundraiser, which raised the historic amount of $611,130 to support youth programs in Atlantic City, including the Atlantic City Dolphins, Atlantic City Police Athletic League, Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City, Empowerment Tools Coalition, Omega by the Sea Foundation, Atlantic City Ballet, and the HOPE Foundation.

During the check presentation event, Resorts Casino Owner and JEMB Realty Corporation Chairman Morris Bailey was honored for personally donating $35,000 to the mayor’s gala in support of Atlantic City’s youth.

“We, at Resorts, really feel we are part of a family as a part of this city,” said Bailey. “I was born in Atlantic City, and I think we’re going to see great advancements in this community,” said Bailey. “We should be doing more to work together as a team to make Atlantic City one of the most spectacular resorts on the East Coast.”

Mayor Small presented checks to the following youth group representatives on behalf of their respective programs: Greater Atlantic City Youth Association Vice President George Crouch; Atlantic City Police Athletic League Executive Director Will Santiago; Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City Chief Strategy Officer Brian Little; Empowerment Tools Coalition Founder Shermaine Gunter-Gary; and Omega by the Sea Foundation Vice Chairman Michael Epps, Esq.

Mayor Small, who won a four-year term as Mayor of Atlantic City in November 2021, held his Inaugural Gala on Saturday, June 4, 2022, at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City. The gala took place during an exciting weekend of events that included a special appearance by global superstar Mary J. Blige.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Ben Morris, Masterpiece Advertising, 609.344.2400 x202 / cell 609.502.6917 (day of event)

For more information or inquiries regarding the City of Atlantic City, please contact:

Andrew Kramer, Atlantic City Representative 609-347-5247 / AKramer@acnj.gov


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