The 32nd Reach for a Star Luncheon benefitting the Henry Viscardi School in Albertson will have the help of angels.
The six “Angels of Kinky Boots” chorus members from the Broadway hit “Kinky Boots will provide the entertainment at the luncheon, which will be held March 25 at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury.
“There’s going to be a final number with some of the kids performing with the ‘Angels of Kinky Boots’ and the kids have been practicing,” said Viscardi spokeswoman Kim Brussell.
The six chorus members from “Kinky Boots,” a musical production by Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Fierstein that has won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, will perform songs from the show and other tunes.
In their luncheon finale, they will be joined by students from the Viscardi School, which serves children in grades pre-K through 12 with severe physical disabilities who often require life-sustaining medical treatment throughout the day
Brussell said the Viscardi kids have been rehearsing Lauper’s “True Colors”.
Proceeds from the Reach for a Star Luncheon will support after-school activities, clubs, adapted sports, including the school’s wheelchair basketball teams and its Friday night recreation program that features a variety of activities for the Viscardi students each week.
“Socialization is an important part of anyone’s childhood. Thanks to the proceeds raised at the Reach for a Star Luncheon, the children at the Henry Viscardi School can participate in a wide variety of activities with their friends after school,” said John Kemp, president and CEO of The Viscardi Center.
The Henry Viscardi School provides an academic program, a variety of therapies, assistive technology and medical supports to students who may otherwise need to receive instruction in their homes or a hospital.
The luncheon is one of the Viscardi School’s two biggest annual fundraisers, Brussell said.
She said the event drew $168,000 in donations last year and the Viscardi School has set a goal of $200,000 for the event this year.
At the event, a cocktail hour with grand prize raffles and a silent auction will be followed by a sit-down lunch.
People can register online at the Viscardi School site, henryviscardischool.org/, or call 465-1595 for reservations. A single ticket for the fundraising event is $150.
