New York (Top40 Charts/ Covenant House) - When twelve homeless youth striving to turn their lives around get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform on Broadway on Tuesday, June 2, lending support backstage at the Hudson Theatre will be one of the greatest entertainers of all time - Tony-Award winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Diana Ross.
"Ms. Ross has quietly without any fanfare been an incredible supporter of our mission and our kids," said Kevin M. Ryan, President of Covenant House. "She has on more than one occasion taken the time to visit our shelter to lift the spirits of our kids and our staff. Her presence on Tuesday night will make it an evening our kids and everyone in attendance will never forget. We are so grateful for her incredibly humble, loving support of our kids."
"I am so looking forward to attending and supporting the kids," said Ms. Ross. "It is important for me to continue to entertain and support people, and especially to support young people like those at Covenant House, who are working so hard to reach their dreams."
Ms. Ross will be presenting a check to support the Covenant House mission of helping homeless youth at the inaugural Covenant House event, Night of Broadway Stars, which will feature a show-stopping performance by young people being helped at Covenant House.
"Our kids performing on stage Tuesday night have gone through hardships that no kid should have to endure," said Ryan. "They have overcome so much, and Tuesday night will be a celebration of their lives and their promise. It will also be a time for all of us to re-dedicate ourselves to helping the thousands of children sleeping on the streets of our cities tonight."
In addition to Ms. Ross in attendance, Night of Broadway Stars will include a full revue of performances by some of Broadway's greatest performers, including Rita Harvey from Phantom of the Opera, Natalie Toro from Les Miserables, Capathia Jenkins from Dreamgirls, and Darius de Haas from Kiss of the Spider Woman. The show will be hosted by renowned composer/lyricist Neil Berg, whose credits include the Prince and the Pauper and Grumpy Old Men.
The event also will honor Mark Loughridge, Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer of IBM and member of the Covenant House Board of Directors for his charitable works. All proceeds raised from Night of Broadway Stars will provide food, clothing, shelter, medical attention, vocational training and educational opportunities to the young people at Covenant House.
Founded in 1972, Covenant House is the largest privately funded agency in the Americas helping homeless kids, providing 24/7 crisis care and ongoing support at 20 facilities, www.NINELINE.org, Covenant House NINELINE (1-800-999-9999) and www.covenanthouse.org.
