The AHRC NYC Foundation hosted its annual Thurman Munson Awards Dinner supporting programs at AHRC NYC, bringing together legends from the sports world with people dedicated to improving the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The event raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to support AHRC NYC programs.
Inspiring and Inspired Athletes
Awardees this year included:
- Hideki Matsui, New York Yankees outfielder and designated hitter from 2003-09, World Series MVP in 2009. He is one of the most beloved Yankees of the modern era.
- Dwight “Doc” Gooden, New York Mets and Yankees starting pitcher, NL Rookie of the Year (1984), NL Cy Young Award winner (1985), and World Champion with the Mets in 1986. Doc also pitched a no-hitter and won an additional World Series with the Yankees in 1996.
- Alexandra “Ali” Truwit, two-time 2024 U.S. Paralympic Silver Medalist. After representing Yale in swimming, in 2023 Ali was attacked by a shark while on vacation in Turks & Caicos, ultimately losing her lower right leg. She has persevered and will be featured in the SI Swimsuit Edition in 2025. She is the first Paralympian to receive a Munson award.
Doc and Ali visited AHRC NYC programs prior to the awards dinner. Doc met students and adults at AHRC NYC’s Esther Ashkenas Central Park Early Learning Center and Walter and Evelyn Redfield Day Services on January 28, while Ali visited the Fineson residence near Union Square.
“I’ve attended a lot of these dinners, but to be a recipient tonight means a great deal to me,” Doc said. “I had to the opportunity to visit AHRC’s school and meet kids with autism. My hat goes off to the board, the teachers, and the directors there for the work that they put in. It inspires me to want to do even more.”
“To see the support in action [at the Fineson residence] was so inspiring to me,” Ali said. “I’m also so inspired to have Diana Munson’s example on how to turn trauma into hope, as I work to do that myself.”
The 2025 M. Anthony Fisher Humanitarian Award Recipients were Richard Lomler, CEO and President of Forest Electric New York, and Sandy Reis, Vice President of Vornado Realty Trust. Richard and Sandy both said they were blown away by their visit to Central Park ELC and the Redfield Center, especially a performance by AHRC NYC’s Our Broadway.
Championing Employment
One of the themes of the evening was “Opening Doors to Employment,” exemplified by Miguel Mondesir, who receives supported employment from AHRC NYC and its corporate partners. Miguel has worked in food service in multiple arenas in the NYC area and loves to go to work each day.
“Since 2012, my coaches and my coworkers have been helping to build me up and have success in my job,” Miguel said. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do in life. This program helped me figure it out. Now I can help the fans at the stadium AND I can help other people who need to be built up and encouraged that they will do great at work, too.”
Watch the Video, Opening Doors to Employment”
