Variety honors 2022 Golden Heart of Variety Award recipients
WORCESTER » Variety — the Children’s Charity of the Delaware Valley hosted its annual Black Hat Bash on Thursday, May 5, at the Water Works in Philadelphia.
The event, which was a fun-filled evening of dinner and dancing under the stars, honored two accomplished executives from the Philadelphia region.
Ryan N. Boyer, business manager of Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council, and Jerry Sweeney, president and CEO of Brandywine Realty Trust, each received a Golden Heart of Variety Award for embodying Variety’s mission. They also received mayoral citations for their commitment to the Philadelphia community.
In keeping with the theme of the night, guests wore black hats to show their support for Variety, whose logo includes a top hat. In addition, Boathouse Row was lit up red in honor of Variety.
“We were excited and privileged to honor Ryan and Jerry at our Black Hat Bash this year,” said Dominique Bernardo, CEO of Variety. “Variety celebrates Mr. Boyer’s commitment to youth, workforce development, and diversity and inclusion,
and Mr. Sweeney’s commitment to responsible and equitable development and business practices, which align with Variety’s innovative vocational training programs for young adults with disabilities.”
“Variety plays an important role to enhance the lives of children and young adults with disabilities throughout the region,” said Mr. Boyer. “I commend their ongoing efforts to provide job training and life skills for vulnerable youth. It was a great honor to be recognized by an organization that has made a positive impact for so many individuals and families, and has achieved much success.”
Variety’s Black Hat Bash included VIP valet parking, a cocktail reception including top-shelf beverages and delicious hors d’oeuvres, a five-star seated dinner and heart-pumping live music and dancing with Bigg Romeo, an 8-piece high-energy band.
Variety’s mission is to enrich the lives of children and young adults with disabilities through social, educational and vocational programs that nurture independence and self-confidence, and prepare them for life. Variety’s workforce development model VarietyWorks is making a difference in the lives of the young adults who are receiving valuable job training and independent job placement.