CABARET VILLE MAGAZINE. P144. Cont'd from P142

LAUGH WITH THE STARS

Photo: The 1976 Testimonial Dinner for Frank Sinatra, from L to R:  (Milton Berle, Mr. TV and Friars Club Abbott for fourteen years, William B. Williams, renowned radio broadcaster and Friars Club Dean 1982-1985, Frank Sinatra, The Chairman of the Board and Friars Club Abbott 1975-1996, Buddy Howe, former head of ICM Talent Agency and Friars Club Dean 1970-1981, David Tebet, former head of NBC and producer of Friars Club Testimonial Dinners.

Another part of the party that delights the children and grown ups alike are the celebrity sports figures who attend, talk to and take pictures with the children. Michael Spinks, Rod Gilbert, Rusty Staub, and Cal Ramsey attend regularly, as well as newscasters Marvin Scott and John Roland, and TV and radio icon Sally Jesse Raphael. Each of them has made a jolly Santa Claus. One year, we ran out of gift bags and boxing champion Michael Spinks gave ten dollars of his own to each child who would otherwise have gone home empty handed. Then there’s the balloons given out and face painting that puts more smiles on everyone’s face. This annual event is an activity of the Friars Club Sunshine Committee, chaired by Friars Joe Gelber and Thomas J. DeBow Jr., and Phil Baird. Jean Pierre Trebot, Executive Director of the Friars Club, is actively involved each year, to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Photo: Friars G.M. Jean Pierre Trebot and New York TV news legend Marvin Scott.

There’s also the Friars Foundation, chaired by Leo Greenland, with Cy Leslie serving as President, whose purpose is the betterment of our society through grant giving, particularly in the area of the performing arts. Four books about the Friars Club, authored by Barry Dougherty, have been published in the past few years. Yes, the Friars Club has provided laughs and songs for themselves and others for over 100 years. That, along with the charitable arm of giving back to the community makes this a very special Club for its members and for nonmembers who enjoy and benefit from their songs, jokes, and good deeds.